Several issues are going on. With the withdrawal factor, it hard to know exactly what is going on with Sweet Pea.

I’ve noticed some fussiness after feeds. So I’ve started giving her the gas drops after every feed. Dave is going to the store right now for Gripe Water. I’ve never used that before and heard it could help. Worth a try.

Sweet Pea is being fed every 3 hours. Yesterday she was taking 3 ounces every feed. Remember, in the hospital she was pretty much going 4 hours between feeds. I figured today I would try only 2 ounces per feed since my pedi was so surprised she was taking 3oz at less than 2 weeks old.

One sign of withdrawal is an excessive sucking reflex, which has been noted in Sweet Pea. All the nurses really were fabulous there in the NICU but there was one nurse in particular that took the time to sit with me and talk in great detail about her experience with withdrawing babies.

She explained that sometimes the baby’s excessive sucking reflex is mistaken for hunger and the baby gets overfed and then has tummy issues. I’m wondering if this is some of Sweet Pea’s “gassy” issues, which is why today feeds are going to be 2 ounces (obviously if she needs more she will be given more!).

I’ve also heard a baby needs 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of weight. Sweet Pea is 6 pounds, so with eight 2 ounce feeds in 24 hours, that would be 16 ounces.

6 x 2.5 = 15 ounces/day, so that is pretty accurate.

Trial and error. That’s all the newborn phase is, but I certainly could still use some prayers.

Sweet Pea is definitely showing some withdrawal signs and it just breaks my heart. I hate that my babies have to go through this, but at the same time, I am thankful that methadone leaves no lasting effects on them.

Right now, though, it is hard.

Just keep praying for healing for Sweet Pea’s little body and that I will have the wisdom necessary to know what she needs to keep her comfortable. I think the bath yesterday was too much for her.

I so wanted to go to church today. I miss my church and I can’t wait for everyone to meet the baby they have prayed so much for! But, at this point, I know the best thing for Sweet Pea is for her to be at home resting.

She just can’t take the world right now.

I keep reminding myself this too shall pass.

I know how quickly time passes. My baby is already two years old!

Before I know it, our house is going to be filled with sister laughter as my girls have tea parties, play dress up and then go outside to play in the dirt (if Little Bug has any say in the matter, which I am sure she will).

Withdrawals are just a phase that will soon pass.

- Elaine