Pediatric follow up « Back to Group Discussions

[JynxGirl]

Today was Patrick's follow up with the pediatrician from his stay in the NICU.

It went really really well, and I absolutely LOVE this pediatrician! She promotes breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby wearing and all the things I love about raising kids!!!

The only thing that we have to keep an eye on his that he has laryngomalacia. It can mean that he won't gain weight quickly or that he can choke from time to time on the breast. It also means he makes an absolutely terrifying sound while he nurses.

So for the most part, the little dude is perfect! He's 10lbs 11oz now, and he's growing nicely. Woot!!

Does anyone know about laryngomalacia, so I don't have to search google and scare the crap out of myself. :P

[MeredithA]

I'm so glad you found a pediatrician you like! How wonderful that she promotes baby wearing and cosleeping and bf!

In many cases laryngomalacia doesn't even require any treatment and he will stop making that noise as he gets older. A **small** percent of babies need surgery because of airway obstruction.

How was he diagnosed? Did the doctor just listen to him nurse? Or did they scope him?

Anyway, I wouldn't get too worried about it :-)

Deacon chokes while eating occasionally and makes that high pitched sound sometimes too. I assume it is because of my forceful letdown, but who knows. He is gaining weight appropriately so I am not letting myself worry.

Yay for a good follow up ped visit!!

[MeredithA]

Here is some basic info about laryngomalacia (not scary!): http://www.luriechildrens.org/en-us/care-services/conditions-treatments/ear-nose-throat-otolaryngology/Pages/basics/airway-breathing-problems-laryngology/laryngomalacia.aspx

[JynxGirl]

Thanks

She diagnosed him by listening and looking at his throat with the light thingy. (I can never remember what it's called!!!) She said we can do the scope if I really want, but because he's gaining weight and not showing symptoms of anything more serious, it would probably just show us the same things.

Patrick makes the stridor sound while crying, sleeping, fussing and even when he's just chilling out. I think it scares me more than anything, because my daughter used to make that sound right before she would stop breathing... So now that we know he's mostly just going to make scary sounds, I'm a lot more comfortable with it.

I will keep an eye on his weight gain, and just see how it goes. :)

[MeredithA]

You know, I have mentioned it on a couple other threads but I can't recommend the Angel Care monitor enough. It's a little pad that you place under his crib/bassinet mattress and it sounds an alarm if he were to stop breathing. I think it was around $100 but totally worth the peace of mind. DS2 stopped breathing once -- briefly, maybe 20-30 seconds? -- but it seemed like forever and scared me to death. We have had that monitor ever since and when baby Deacon came along we started using it right away. Love that thing!