Update

Just a few notes on the previous post and our Doctor's visits of today.

Loki indeed lost another ounce over the past two weeks. He is eating less and less on a daily basis with indeed much crying and discomfort. However, this did not start when we started working more on breastfeeding. The doctor wanted us to "push" the breastfeeding more because he seemed to do better with the breast than the bottle. This way he would get more milk, even though it is a lower calorie version. Loki has developed an aversion to the bottle which may have been caused by the initial few months at home, where we basically had to force feed him in order to make a minimal amount of calories. Right now he gags a lot when having the bottle or a pacifier. He attacks the breast or bottle when he is hungry but within a few minutes is either done, or starts a long struggle, fighting sleep and/or physical discomfort. The best way to get some food in is for me to lay down with him on the bed, be quiet and tickle him awake now and then. But the minutes are few!

The doctor will refer Loki to a GI specialist and hopefully soon we will have a series of test done to ensure his system is functioning properly. He will undergo a swallow study and an Upper Gastrointestinal Series. He will have to drink barium I assume, after which the liquid will be followed with x-rays and ultrasounds, to ensure his system works. In addition, because of his somewhat off hearing, he will also have a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential check. This means the pathway from the ear to the brain is examined.

It is becoming pretty challenging sometimes to be upbeat and patient with this eating situation. I feel incredibly sad seeing Loki struggle when he is hungry. I just want to feed him, and it is frustrating that such a basic and primal action just does not work. He loves the breast, there is milk, what is the deal? Well, the deal is obvious. He was tiny and not done baking in the oven when he came out. It just breaks my heart to not be able to help him be a happy eater and gain weight, just as most babies do without a problem.

Unfortunately not just happy eating healthy baby stories!