First, let me just say that we LOVE the Blackmon Pediatric Group that takes care of Easton. Special thanks to the Schaefers and Giffords for recommending such wonderful pediatricians in both Dr. Abby and Dr. Greg. We look forward to Easton's appointments as we did when I was pregnant. We love seeing how much he has grown and enjoy chatting with his pediatrician about how things are going at home as well as what we can look forward to in Easton's development over the next few months. And yes, when I say "we" I do mean that Justin makes every appointment and actually asks the Dr. more questions than I do (believe it or not).
At this appointment Easton's weight is 10 lbs 6 oz which is a big gain since his one month appointment when he weighed 8 lbs 3.5 oz (Birth weight 6 lbs 14 oz). He is measuring 22.1 inches in length (20.2 at his 1 month appt).
We talked with Dr. Blackmon about Easton's reflux which continues to plague his eating making it a little difficult at times for him to eat full meals without discomfort and frustrating me as new outfits are ruined before they're even worn (he spits up on them while he's being dressed). Justin and Dr. Blackmon joked that Easton may not like his clothes and that he is trying to give me the hint by ruining them as I'm dressing him. He received several vaccines today (DTap, Hep B, Polio, and Pneumococcal) and took those like a champ. He did let out one cry (after catching his breath) but didn't fuss or cry any longer.
We then chatted about how Easton does such a great job sleeping and even bragged about him sleeping 7 hours at night at only 8.5 weeks old. It was when we mentioned that he was sleeping on his stomach that led into the next conversation which became a little more serious. We justified to our son's doctor that since he could hold his head up and turn it in two different directions that it was "ok" with us to allow him to sleep on his stomach which goes against what we had been told by the hospital when he was born as well as any literature that we had been given at that time. We also explained how sleeping on his stomach helps with his reflux as his food is not sitting in the back of his throat when he's on his tummy. "You're playing with fire" was the exact response we received. We were then taught about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and how it has nothing to do with how well Easton can hold his head up or even turn it side to side. We learned that infants less than 6 months of age do not have the brain development to regulate their breathing in a deep sleep when on their tummies; thus, they can suffocate. Dr. G explained further that the hypothalamus that says "wake up and breath" in children and adults while asleep (and yes, we all stop breathing at some point during the night) does not wake infants up when their head reaches a certain position (most likely to happen when asleep on their tummies). He told us that by laying Easton on his back SIDS is reduced by 50%. This conversation alone is enough to change our minds...so...we start "teaching" East to sleep on his back today.
