A Plea for Prayer

I had posted a blog a while back stating that Nolan was diagnosed with acid reflux and put on medication for it. The medication was working for a while, but because he is growing so rapidly, his increased weight caused him to need something more. They doubled the dose of the medication he was on and after a week of trying that, he was still miserable. After having a lactation nurse observe him during a feeding, she assured me it was a bad case of reflux. We went back to the pediatrician and she prescribed Prilosec. Yes, Prilosec. They are able to compound it and flavor it (bubble gum, yummy) for babies and the pharmacist informed me that they fill around 30 prescriptions of this drug a week for infants. Apparently, what was diagnosed as colic when we were babies and years before that, they now believe was acid reflux all along. So, it is more common than you would think. But, unfortunately, our little man has a fairly bad case of it.

Unlike many babies with reflux, he doesn’t spit up a lot. If that was the only issue, I wouldn’t be going to the lengths that I am. The way it affects him is during his feedings. He is hungry and wants to eat, but as soon as his stomach begins filling up, the acid reflux kicks in and he is screaming in pain. He wants to keep eating because he is still hungry, but the pain keeps him from getting a full meal. Needless to say, it has been awful - knowing that I am the one providing him with the food he needs…and at the same time, causing him this excruciating pain.

The worst part about starting him on the Prilosec (which we began yesterday) is that it will take a week for it to start working. So, his old medicine has now worn off and the new one hasn’t begun to take effect. This makes for one miserable little baby. And one emotional mom! I am convinced that there is nothing worse than watching your child suffer and being able to do nothing to make it better. Hence, the reason for this blog.

Please join us in praying for Nolan – that this medication will be the thing that works for him, that he won’t lose any weight during this week of transition, and that we can soon start seeing a happier and more comfortable baby boy. Also, keep us in your prayers – that we have the energy to make it through this week, that we are able to find ways to get him to eat and that I don’t lose hope that breastfeeding will be an enjoyable experience someday soon. We are so grateful that we don’t have to face this challenge alone and that the Lord gives us everything we need – His mercies are new every morning…and that is a beautiful thing.