Claire saw the doctor today. (I appreciate that doctor. She worked us in, and still took her time with us. I never feel pressured by her or as if her hand is on the door knob during the visit.) She asked if anything had changed in the last week. I told her about our aborted attempt from December 8-10 to transition her back to regular formula. She said based on the fact there is no fever and no vomiting, it is probable that the regular formula is the cause of the diarrhea. It can apparently take several days for the body to initiate a reaction to a substance it cannot tolerate, and it can take two or three weeks for it to be completely processed. In this case, the substance is whole milk proteins. She was doing fine on the hypoallergenic stuff. Whether she’s just got an immature digestive system and will grow out of this, or whether it’s a true intolerance/allergy remains to be seen. It seems that we’ll be using the Nutramigen “liquid gold” for the rest of her first year. We won’t be introducing solid food until she’s at least six months old, also because of her sensitive digestion.

The doctor also decided that her increased weight requires a slightly higher dose of Zantac, since the reflux might also be contributing to her discomfort. Claire weighs 11 pounds, 3 ounces now. Still a bitty girl!

As for the diaper rash, a bare bottom was encouraged. A baking soda sitz bath once a day. No anti-fungal or cortisone cream. Instead, she gave samples of an over-the-counter ointment that is more powerful than Desitin, etc. and is used in post-surgical wounds. It’s not usually stocked, so I called a pharmacy and they said they would have some for me tomorrow. The stuff is called Calmoseptine Ointment. If the rash isn’t gone in 3-4 days, I’m supposed to call the doctor back. Problem is, that runs us into the weekend and then the holiday. So let’s hope Santa brings a healed bottom for my little girl.

She’s eating only small amounts still, and today she is under her usual amount significantly. She will get better, everyone says so. We just haven’t turned the corner quite yet on this.

However, she’s getting old enough that attempts to comfort her are received and responded to. She knows she’s being cared for and allows herself to relax, be caressed, cuddled, and crooned to. She allowed that before, but now she’s more aware of us. I feel for the first time like her mommy. I knew I was a mother, but not until recently have I become a mommy.