Screaming Abdabs, and The Afterbath

I’m well into my third week of fatherhood, and I’m pleased to say it’s still enjoyable.  However, we are really starting to feel the burn of continual broken nights.

This is mainly down to the fact that after some of his feeds (usually the nighttime ones, but occasionally in the day) Blake has an absolute fit – as if he’s in agony, having hot needles stuck in him.  He arches his back, stiffens his arms and legs, throws his head back and screams.

Now, crying I can cope with.  It’s really not that bad at all – it’s just Blake saying “look Dad, I was hungry 5 minutes ago. What are you playing at?”.

Screaming is a different kettle of fish, because it looks so distressing.  If it was an adult doing that, you’d take them to A&E or call an ambulance.  With a baby you just sit there looking at each other asking “Is this normal?”

We’ve yet to have a proper row, but when you’re utterly exhausted at 3am and doing your best to quell a querulous infant – any advice or suggestion from your partner tends to sound like criticism.

“You should hold him more upright.”
“Yes, thanks for that”
“Also don’t pat him on the back if he has reflux”
“ALRIGHT!  GO BACK TO BED!”

Etc.

Anyway, the way forward is trial and error.

• We’ve changed his formula which had no effect apart from giving him constipation for a few days as well
• We’ve tried anti-gas things like Dentinox and Infacol – they’re essentially the same thing, except Infacol is orange flavoured whereas Dentinox contains Dill Oil – so your baby ends up smelling like Gherkins.  Not the best.
• We’re wondering if he might have reflux – so we’re giving him a go on Infant Gaviscon.
• If that does nothing we’ll try reduced-lactose milk to see if he’s struggling to digest the lactose

The final option, if it’s not reflux or wind… is the dreaded colic.

Colic is “persisted unexplained crying” and amusingly, the medical world has no real idea what causes or cures it.  There’s stuff you can try but mainly it just goes away after a few months. What fun.

Anyway apart from the screaming abdabs, he’s putting on weight well and seems healthy which is very pleasing.

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The second part of this post is just a few photos of Blake at his cutest – 5 minutes after his bath.

He seems to enjoy his baths – it’s just the bit where he’s unceremoniously yanked out of the nice warm water that he hates.  Luckily our friends Paul & Sarah got us this lovely baby towel, which has a hood with built-in ears.  Once he’s wrapped up in this, he’s usually veyr happy and has a good kick about.

He looks a bit like a baby polar bear…

Blake, after a bath

And a bit like a member of the Ku Klux Klan, with comedy ears…

Grand Wizard Blake

But very cute.

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Anyway he’s just started whimpering for food so see you later.