The week before Caitlin turned five months old, we made a long awaited trip to Babies R Us. Our shopping list included colorful, BPA-free bowls and spoons and a box of rice cereal. Yes, it was time to introduce solid foods to the little lady! I looked forward to the milestone since Caitlin's four month check-up. Every day I talked to Caitlin about the culinary delights in her future. Mmmm...steamed peas! I had visions of myself flitting around the kitchen, wearing a paisley apron, steaming and pureeing organic fruits and vegetables. In my fantasy, Caitlin would take pleasure in eating (she is my daughter, after all), and she would gobble up all of the dishes I lovingly prepared. I should know by now that what happens in real life never quite matches what happens in fantasies.
The day after our trip to Babies R Us, I served Caitlin her first meal: one tablespoon of rice cereal mixed with four tablespoons of mama's milk. Yum! The cereal looked like curdled milk and it was really too watery to serve with a spoon, but I tried. Caitlin rejected the first several bites. I tried pushing the spoon into her mouth, but her lips were steadfastly glued shut. Caitlin puts just about everything in her mouth, but when it came time to get some food in there she firmly resisted. After several persistent attempts, I finally wedged the spoon in between Caitlin's lips and gave her some cereal. The cereal remained in Caitlin's mouth for all of five seconds before she drooled most of it out, making a nice mess of her chin and bib. This went on for another several minutes and then I gave up. Undeterred, I tried again the next day and the day after that, only to find the same outcome. All in all, Caitlin probably consumed approximately 1 teaspoon of cereal.
Which is why I was so surprised about what happened over the next several days. The little bit of rice cereal made poor Caitlin so constipated, I didn't change a poopy diaper for over a week. Now if you are a regular follower of Caitlin's adventures, you know this is very unusual for my baby. Her digestive system typically functions so fast she barely finishes a feeding before pooping. Needless to say, I was pretty concerned. Being a neurotic new mom, I called the doctor after four poo-free days. The pediatrician's office suggested trying karo syrup or prune juice in her bottles. I tried, but nothing. The doctor recommended trying a glycerin suppository if the bottles did not work. Ewww, but after a week I tried it. After giving the suppository (which was so gross and terrible, I can't quite talk about it yet) I prepared for a massive explosion. I wrapped Caitlin in a disposable changing pad and tried to entertain her on her changing table until the big moment arrived. I waited and waited, but still nothing! Now I started to really worry. Maybe something was seriously wrong. Is it possible for the digestive system to shut down? I've seen stranger things on TLC's Mystery Diagnosis. Surely, anything was possible. On day 10 of Operation Unconstipation, I went back to the prune juice. Nana gave her a dose on Thursday and I put some in her bottles for day care on Friday. Upon leaving Caitlin at day care I told her teachers about the prune juice and wished them good luck.
It appears they needed it. When I picked Caitlin up on Friday afternoon she was no longer wearing the adorable Baby Gap white pants she had on in the morning. Instead she was wearing black Hanes His Way sweat pants in size 12 months, which could only mean one thing: she pooped! In fact, she pooped so many times that she went through her first outfit of the day, plus her two back-up outfits stored at daycare. When I saw my little smiling baby playing on the rug her teacher said, "Well, she's not constipated anymore. And she is wearing Grant's Pants." Thanks, Grant. I promise we'll wash and return them next week.
Did Operation Unconstipation test my resolve? Maybe a bit. But the sight of Grant's Pants reminded me not to relinquish my fantasy. New moms need fantasies. One day, Caitlin will enjoy eating solids. And I am going to look super cute in my paisley apron.
The day after our trip to Babies R Us, I served Caitlin her first meal: one tablespoon of rice cereal mixed with four tablespoons of mama's milk. Yum! The cereal looked like curdled milk and it was really too watery to serve with a spoon, but I tried. Caitlin rejected the first several bites. I tried pushing the spoon into her mouth, but her lips were steadfastly glued shut. Caitlin puts just about everything in her mouth, but when it came time to get some food in there she firmly resisted. After several persistent attempts, I finally wedged the spoon in between Caitlin's lips and gave her some cereal. The cereal remained in Caitlin's mouth for all of five seconds before she drooled most of it out, making a nice mess of her chin and bib. This went on for another several minutes and then I gave up. Undeterred, I tried again the next day and the day after that, only to find the same outcome. All in all, Caitlin probably consumed approximately 1 teaspoon of cereal.
Which is why I was so surprised about what happened over the next several days. The little bit of rice cereal made poor Caitlin so constipated, I didn't change a poopy diaper for over a week. Now if you are a regular follower of Caitlin's adventures, you know this is very unusual for my baby. Her digestive system typically functions so fast she barely finishes a feeding before pooping. Needless to say, I was pretty concerned. Being a neurotic new mom, I called the doctor after four poo-free days. The pediatrician's office suggested trying karo syrup or prune juice in her bottles. I tried, but nothing. The doctor recommended trying a glycerin suppository if the bottles did not work. Ewww, but after a week I tried it. After giving the suppository (which was so gross and terrible, I can't quite talk about it yet) I prepared for a massive explosion. I wrapped Caitlin in a disposable changing pad and tried to entertain her on her changing table until the big moment arrived. I waited and waited, but still nothing! Now I started to really worry. Maybe something was seriously wrong. Is it possible for the digestive system to shut down? I've seen stranger things on TLC's Mystery Diagnosis. Surely, anything was possible. On day 10 of Operation Unconstipation, I went back to the prune juice. Nana gave her a dose on Thursday and I put some in her bottles for day care on Friday. Upon leaving Caitlin at day care I told her teachers about the prune juice and wished them good luck.
It appears they needed it. When I picked Caitlin up on Friday afternoon she was no longer wearing the adorable Baby Gap white pants she had on in the morning. Instead she was wearing black Hanes His Way sweat pants in size 12 months, which could only mean one thing: she pooped! In fact, she pooped so many times that she went through her first outfit of the day, plus her two back-up outfits stored at daycare. When I saw my little smiling baby playing on the rug her teacher said, "Well, she's not constipated anymore. And she is wearing Grant's Pants." Thanks, Grant. I promise we'll wash and return them next week.
Did Operation Unconstipation test my resolve? Maybe a bit. But the sight of Grant's Pants reminded me not to relinquish my fantasy. New moms need fantasies. One day, Caitlin will enjoy eating solids. And I am going to look super cute in my paisley apron.
