Two Week Check Up

Today was our first visit to see Dr. Weaver Whitehead. Ella did so good until we took her clothes off and then she screamed only for little while. She now weighs 7 pounds and 12 1/2 ounces and grew a little over an inch taller. She is now 20 3/4 inches tall. Her head is 14 1/4 inches.

We clarified in writing that "You can not spoil a NEWBORN!" However, Dr. Whitehead said,I do need to let Ella learn to self console some. Which means I have to let her cry some. I am not big on this idea. We are going to attempt to let Ella learn to sleep in her big girl crib this next week. We shall see...I will probably sleep in the rocking chair in her room. She and I have been learning about the nursery the last week. She has been taking a few naps in the crib. Naps and night sleep are very different things. Dr. Whitehead asked how the sleeping was going and then he laughed. He said, as we well know, there is no method to the madness which is newborn sleep schedules. He said what we are experiencing is normal and this too shall pass. Just pray it passes soon...I am becoming an OLD sleepy woman!

We discussed Ella's eating habits. Dr. Whitehead said for now to leave her on the Soy formula and at six months we would try regular formula again. He said if she couldn't do it at six months we will wait until she is one year and try her on whole milk and see what happens. Of course, like all Moms I was worried she isn't eating enough. She is still only taking two ounces every three hours during the day and two ounces every four hours at night. I tried to move her up to three ounces a few times and she drank it but then about 15 minutes later threw up about an ounce. Dr. Whitehead said that is a sign she isn't ready to move up to three ounces yet and that I did right by going back to two ounces and not pushing her. He wants us to continue on the two ounce track for the next few weeks and then try three ounces again later this month.

Over all Ella did good at her first doctors appointment. Dr. Whitehead said she appears to be a happy healthy baby girl. She and Mary Catherine go back for check ups together on January 15th. That will be shot day---Yippy!