yet another update....and finally some peace.

First of all, thank you so much for all the encouragement in comments or emails yesterday...After a very long morning, and just an overall feeling of uneasiness, I finally decided to stop worrying about it all, focus on God and on Norah. A while later I received a message from one of my friends on facebook who just went through this same thing with her daughter, and some encouraging emails from some friends who also think breastfeeding is best. After reading these I got the courage up to call another pediatrician, Dr. P (the doc I originally tried to see but he was too full)for a second opinion. I happened to have his cell phone because he called me about a tennis matter last week! I told him the story and asked for his advice and opinion.

Dr. P said that he thinks there is definitely no rush to switch to h.a. formula. The formula is super expensive, doesn't always work, isn't easy to get babies to drink, and ultimately isn't breast milk. Not to say we eventually won't have to try that, but he definitely thinks it's worth trying some more dietary things first.

I told him the most important thing in my mind was not letting little Norah suffer, or prolonging the suffering. He seemed to think that we have time, the positive fecal occult blood test hasn't been going on for years, and at this point will cause no permanent damage. That said, we also want her to be comfortable and happy, so we are going to quickly try and figure it out. He said quitting breastfeeding is a very permanent decision and that sometimes the formula is just as hard for little tummies, especially hurting ones to digest. So she might not be entirely happy on that either, and of course she isn't going to like the taste, she won't feel the satisfaction and comfort that nursing gives her.

He also told me, and I had read this before, that 50% of babies that have dairy sensitivity also have an issue with soy. Since she did get somewhat better with no dairy, we think she falls into this category, so as of yesterday afternoon I also cut out soy of my diet entirely. I'm not going to try any other dietary changes right now, in hopes of pinpointing which one is the problem. We will go back to see Dr. P in a little less than 2 weeks for a check up and another fecal occult blood test. I am also going to be calling our local allergy clinic to see if Norah is too young to get tested for allergies. Neither doctor mentioned this, but a friend did, and I'm just wondering???

Dr. P also mentioned that babies immune systems do much better at this age breastfeeding, it's like our own natural vaccination system, when Norah starts to get sick, or if I get sick, I pass her antibodies that help her to fight it. Not to say if we have to stop that God couldn't give her immune system a boost too!

Overall I feel much better about this decision, it's definitely not the easiest decision; And I may have to eventually try the h.a. or super h.a. formula. But I feel much better knowing we exhausted the breastfeeding option first.

Please pray that I continue to feel peace about the decisions we are making that align with God's will and I don't allow my thoughts to be negative.

Thank You for your love and support everyone.

and now...for your favorite part..

This one's for you Lindsey and Grandma Lister! Go OU!
Bath Night!!
Just snuggling with Daddy!
I love the wrinkly nose smiles.

God I thank you for your peace. I thank you for the friends and family we have in our lives. Thank You for dropping other moms into my lap with similar situations and insight. Thank You for scriptures and encouragement friends sent me. Thank You for your plan, your protection, your peace, your provision and your grace. I am ready now to accept whatever direction we have to take, even if it's not in my plan. Amen.