I feel like I haven’t updated about life so much lately, so here goes. In September, we celebrated Monkey’s first birthday! I can’t believe he’s over a year old already…my how the time has flown. It seems like just yesterday I was waiting to go into labor. It’s been such a wonderful year, I can’t imagine life without him. We opted not to go trick-or-treating for Halloween, even though we dressed the Monkey up (as a Monkey of course!) Next year, though, I’m sure we’ll be out on the streets. Speaking of – we only had 10 people come to our house this year. Sad, really.
I made a dairy and egg free cake for the big one-year party and it was a hit. Everyone loved it…even the Monkey man himself. We had a very low-key celebration with just immediate family and one of my friends and her daughter. It was perfect!
We’ve gotten the sleep situation to be so much better than it used to be. If you can remember from my older posts, Monkey has never been a good sleeper. He would be up every 2-3 hours to nurse every single night…for 11 months. Many times more often than that! Needlesstosay, I was exhausted. About a month ago, we decided to finally start doing some sleep training. I’m not one to question other’s parenting decisions, but ‘cry-it-out’ just never felt right to me, so we opted to skip that approach. I, instead, purchased the book The Sleep Lady’s Good Night, Sleep Tight: Gentle Proven Solutions to Help Your Child Sleep Well and Wake Up Happy
Now, let’s talk about feeding. Monkey has had a heightened gag reflex ever since he was born – whether it’s from being tongue and lip tied, or from his acid reflux, or from something else altogether, we’re not sure. I’ve been working with an occupational therapist to reduce this and it seems to be getting much better. He’s always been a picky eater as well – we’ve mostly practiced baby led weaning with him, but he’s never had a huge interest in solids. Up until a few weeks ago most food just went straight to the floor. And trust me, we’ve tried everything (sans dairy and eggs of course.) I’m excited to report that over the last couple of weeks, things have gotten SO much better. Monkey suddenly has an interest in foods, and while he’s not eating as much as a typical one year old, he’s eating! Three meals a day! This makes Momma so happy. He still gets most of his nutrients from breastmilk, though, and I’m okay with that. Oddly enough, this new interest in solids coincides with the start of some craniosacral therapy that we’ve been doing. Whether or not it’s related, I’m not 100% sure…but I’m leaning towards yes.
The pediatrcian was a bit concerned about his weight the last time I went in, which made me a bit nervous for a few days, but I’m not so worried anymore. I’m a small person, standing at only 5′ 1.5″ and I was small as a baby, too. Monkey’s getting milk from me at least four times a day, plus a bottle of donor breastmilk daily. In addition to his three meals of solid foods. The pediatrician made me feel bad at our last visit saying “He’s not getting everything he needs from your breastmilk.” Honestly, I KNOW that he needs my milk right now, more than anything else. I know in my heart that it’s what he needs. He’s also been just a tiny bit slower to develop in pretty much all areas than your typical child, and I’m totally cool with that. He sat up later, stood up later, crawled later, and is eating later (not to mention, he hasn’t started walking.) He’s not delayed, still well within the ‘normal’ window, just a bit behind most of his baby friends. Strangely, it doesn’t bother me that much. I am, however, little bit worried that since he’s over a year old, I’m going to start getting pressure to stop breastfeeding. FYI – I have no plans to wean any time soon. I have a very strong feeling that we’ll be breastfeeding until he’s at least two, and others will just have to deal. It’s the best nourishment for him, I know it in my Mommy gut…especially with his food issues. The pediatrician is also pushing cow’s milk on him. Even though he came up negative for a true dairy allergy, I know in my gut that he still has a dairy sensitivity, so I’m not going to push it. Instead, I’m making my own coconut milk and feeding that to him in addition to all the yummy breastmilk he’s getting.
It’s funny that when I say I’m going to write a post with an update about life, I really only talk about the Monkey. Well, he’s pretty much my life right now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve been meeting up with lots of local moms lately and it’s been great making some new friends. Other than that, I’ve been cooking a lot lately and I’m hoping to do some knitting here shortly. I’m also looking forward to seeing some snow this year, although I’m a bit nervous for the cold! I almost forgot, I recently spent about a million hours working on Monkey’s video compiling pictures and movies from the first year of his life. Check it out by following the link below if you want, but I don’t blame you if you choose not to watch…it’s long! This video is 22 minutes…the full version was 70!
Can you relate to anything I’ve gone through with Monkey? Do you have a child that develops just a tad slower than your friends’ kids? Do you have differing opinions from those of your pediatrician? What do you do about it?
November 17, 2012
This entry was posted in baby, Baby Led Weaning, Breastfeeding, Getting Personal, Monkey, Personal. Bookmark the permalink.
Hi and welcome! I'm Jenny - a green living new momma, adoring wife, and MSU fan.
I wouldn’t worry about his development one bit! Sounds like he’s doing great and even if his ped is worried, it’s just one Dr’s opinion. And you’re his mother, who obviously knows him best. Lyric will be 14 months on Monday and she still isn’t walking. She didn’t crawl until 10 months and started standing & cruising only recently. She’s on her own schedule…I just offer encouragement!
Thanks! It definitely feels better to hear about other baby’s that aren’t walking yet. Honestly, I’m not worried at all in my gut! You’re right about offering encouragement…that’s the way to go! Thanks for the comment!
I actually had differing opinions from my pediatrician when Ethan was 2 weeks old, and this was after I thoroughly researched and interviewed pediatricians (I interviewed 18! EIGHTEEN!). She wanted to put him on medication for reflux, I didn’t WANT him on so much medication, etc. I ended up making a spur of the moment appointment with another doctor at the practice because I was just so worried about his vomiting and that doctor said “no, no medications this young. Are you interested in a natural remedy?” He began Gelmix immediately (a calorie free organic carob thickener, no rice cereal or medications). Since then, we’ve stuck with our doctor. She’s also a vegan nutritionist by profession on the side and is very medically knowledgeable, but is also very crunchy. She recommended salt therapy to us when treating Ethan’s respiratory issues. I like her because if she says he needs a medication (which is rare, but he does have chronic asthma issues from having RSV at a young age), I believe her that he does. She’s very openminded and doesn’t push cow’s milk on us. (Ethan doesn’t like cow’s milk. He likes almond milk.) Finding a pediatrician who agreed with us on everything has been great, and a great resource to have especially because we’re there a lot with Ethan’s breathing issues. Maybe try seeking out a likeminded one?
Ethan crawled at around 10 months, sat at around 9 months and began walking at 14 months. A lot of mom friends were all “ohhhh, hurry up, Ethan!” and it annoyed me. He was developing at his own pace, like all babies do! My best friend’s baby just started walking at 17 months. She’s totally fine! Each baby at their own pace, I say! :)
Thanks for your comment! It’s so good to hear from other moms who can relate. For Cal’s next weight check, I scheduled him with a new doctor at the same practice in hopes that they are a little more open to my crunchy ways. I like this practice because, as a whole, they are open to alternative methods (alternative vaccine schedules, etc), but this particular doctor is a bit forceful in her ways. I think we will be skipping whole milk, too, and this pediatrician just doesn’t like that.
I have never heard of Gelmix! Cal has actually been on medication for reflux since he was 2 months old. I HATE it. We were seeing a naturopath back in Oregon, and we were using GI encap to help, and we tried multiple times to get him off the medication, but without much success. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to get him off of it soon!
Thanks again for your comment!
I’m a few months away from becoming a parent but am already totally overwhelmed at times by what other people insist is right. As far as they are concerned if you do it any other way its WRONG. He looks like he is thriving so pffft to what others say. Listen to your gut, mama knows what works best for her kiddo. I worked with one or two kids that didn’t walk until they were nearly 2 and other than killing your back to lift them they were totally fine and healthy kids.
Night weaning. I need to do something about this, but we can’t do anything until my husband is out of flight school and able to help out at night. Only a few weeks! But my 11 month old is waking up every 3 hours, on the dot. 11, 2, 5:30. Kills me!
Bah, I was totally right there with you. I hope you get a chance to try soon – it really only took us a couple of nights and it went incredibly smooth!
Yes I had differing opinions from our doctor. Somethings it might of upset me or had me talking with other moms about our visits so that I may be reassured with how I was feeling, but in the moment at the doctors office I would just shake my head or be like”ok” and inside was like whatever I’m doing what I know is right….I’m his mama!! lol. And you are your baby’s mama, you ultimately know what’s best & have the decision. And no worries on the developmental issue (or non-issue I should say). All babies go at their own paste. Your first might be at a slower pace than your next because your #2 will have a big brother to watch & try and keep up with. My son wasn’t at a fast pace, but not a really slow one either…just in between….just at his pace. He’s healthy (although my 2 year old is a VERY picky eater too…ugh. Hoping he outgrows this toddler phase) & smart : ) And keep on breastfeeding until you and your baby are ready to quit. My son weaned himself right at about a year, he chose that. I hope to breastfeed longer with my next baby, but it was a natural course for him. You are doing a wonderful job it sounds like & your little monkey looks just fine! So again no worries : )
Thank you so much for the support and your comment :)