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| Benjamin up on top, Winston in the cart |
Our other adventure, as I mentioned above was taking Benjamin and Winston to a craniosacral therapist. These two guys have had reflux since about 8 weeks old so we have been battling vomiting with Benjamin and refusal to eat with Winston. After much trial and error with doctors and specialists (and tears and sweat), both of their reflux issues have been under control for a while now with medication and for Benjamin we put cereal in each bottle to keep it down. I have remained uncomfortable however with this whole scene because I feel like we are just managing the symptoms and not tackling the underlying problem. I have been resigned to the assertion that it was just a matter of their digestive systems' maturity (or lack thereof) and only time would heal them. But now that they have been chowing down on solids with no problem, I am less inclined to believe that. So, I was recently introduced to a certified cranial sacral therapist who claims that this therapy can help straighten their systems out. The brief and layman explanation is that their c-section and premature births kink their dural tubes that surround their spinal cord, resulting in reflux and possibly other issues such as allergies, constipation, etc. down the road. I thought we really had nothing to lose so I took the little guys and watched very intently as she very very gently massaged up and down their back, feeling blood flow and what ever else her sensitive little fingers could feel. Nate is skeptical and thinks this is all voo-doo. I, being introduced to holistic medicine at a very young age, am hopeful but not naive. She said it would take a few sessions, depends on how bad the kid is "twisted" and how fast his body works. Stay tuned..
Wow! What a detailed update on the medical stuff. I remember little Winston not eating when I came for Thanksgiving. Glad you're taking steps to get that under control. Miss you like crazy. Good luck with have your hands and mind full!
ReplyDelete- Gavin
Thanks - we miss you too! Are you keeping your blog going? I need to check on that.
DeleteWill this therapist rub my back as well?
ReplyDeleteyes!
DeleteHey there Jenn! Im so glad you have found something that is working for these guys. In Europe ( at least what I know from talking to midwives in England and France, and friends with babies) is that Cranial sacral therapy is pretty normal therapy now. You have to ask but the hospital will provide the followup therapy for C-section babies and it includes Cranial Sacral. Rather then it being a separate 'holistic thing' it is just something that works. Im glad it is dealing with the root of the problem, i hope it works for you guys, might change my sceptical brothers mind! Becca
ReplyDeleteWe have battled the immature digestive system with Clara Beth too. Similac Alimentum helped(for protein sensitivity, pricey, around $30 for 16oz. of powder), as well as rice cereal in the bottle (still doing today). We started her on vegetables (mixed with rice cereal and nursery water) at about 5 months, we've actually replaced 2 of her bottles a day with spoon feedings (vegetable, fruit, yogurt and a meat blend). We saw a big improvement when she starting sitting on her own. I am anxious to hear about the therapy, would love to recommend it in the future so other parents can avoid some of this. Will be thinking about you!
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa! We were on alimentum too as part of the trial and error. I recently weaned Benjamin off and he was fine. Weaning Winston off this week. Benjamin is still having cereal in his bottles too so I haven't been mixing it in his fruit/veggies at meal times because I dont want to overfeed him. I really want to get to a point where we dont have to put the cereal in his bottle anymore. I wonder if we'll see a difference when they start sitting up too. Hmm, that's interesting. I'll let you know how the therapy goes! Thanks!
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