Nutrition tidbits-Pt 1: Poop

So, Max and I do a lot of research on Nutrition and I've received many requests lately for our info. Well, there's a lot of it, so I'm going to do it in installments.

Our first stop is Poop...something that us mommas obsess about more than usual.


**Technical crap: I've learned, our kid's constipation isn't always purely "constipation" (hard and dry stool).
It can also be slow bowel mobility or insufficient peristalsis due to the Hypotonia. There's also a ton of other theories out there like low amounts of serotonin etc. Also, serious disorders such as Hirschprung’s disease that should be ruled out if the constipation seems severe and unrelenting.)

FIRST STOP: Miralax
Everyone hearts Miralax. In saying this I do not work for, receive a kickback from or am medically endorsing the stuff...I'm just saying it WORKS!  We started at 6 months with a 1/2 teaspoon, and upped it to a full teaspoon when he was particularly stopped up or when he got a bit bigger/older (9/10 months). It appears to work best when used daily at the same time without missing a dose, in a fruit as it makes a cereal's consistency really gross. Also, it doesn't seem to work on already existing constipation as I believe it affects the way the poop actually forms. So if your kid already has cement in there, you have to clear the way before the healthy stuff can get through.
My only complaint is that it is a man made medicine/chemical and our kids get enough of that stuff in their lifetime, so I was on the hunt for something more natural once we got some larger heath issues under control.  

Next: Probiotics
Meh, I tried Baby Biotic from Nutrivene. I believe every kid is different and it may really work for some, but unfortunately it didn't work for us so we had to move on to another option.

Next, Next: Flax Seed Oil
So far, so good. Day 4 and man my kid is poopin.  This is recommended by many docs as well as my beloved Dr. Sears so I was willing to give it a shot. It makes his food a bit greasy and chills it down a bit so I have to remember to add it early, but so far he's good with 1 tsp twice daily and I have yet to see any adverse affects.

Last Stop: Goat Milk
Holy Crap. No really! So this is where we stop, because this kid is good to go with a daily couple bottles of Goat Milk instead of Toddler Formula or Cow's Milk. We're never going back, he's been a perfect pooper now for 6 months without fail!!!!

Atlantoaxial Instability X-Ray today...

Today Max is headed to the radiologist for a cervical spine

x-ray to rule out Atlantoaxial Instability.

Bean was a very good sport.

What is Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI)?
Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is characterized by excessive movement at the junction between the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) as a result of either a bony or ligamentous abnormality. (this occurs in which occurs in approximately 15% of youth with DS)
When the distance on X-ray between the 1st vertebra 2nd vertebra is more than 4.5 millimeters (mm), restriction on sports is advised.
Why do we care?
Well, when the child is involved in sports (Special Olympics)or an activity that may result in an injury (physical therapy)...the slipped or dislocated vertebra may injure the spinal cord. Max has torticollis, and needs to do some neck stretching exercises to counteract this tilt.


What did we find out?
Well after all the medical professionals involved, no one suggested that on a baby these bones are still cartilaginous so we won't get accurate results until he is at least 2 years of age. 

He will need an additional examination/x-ray to participate in the Special Olympics when he's older.

But no abnormalities were observed...so the roughhousing with Bean will continue.

8th Month Tricks!

A little bit behind but Max turned 8 months when we were in Lancaster PA.

Big Tricks:

• Rolling like a fiend to get across a room & get a toy
• Sitting well propped and beginning to sit for a minute or so independently while playing with toys or having his hands pulled to mouth or midline.
• Dada, Duck (during bathtime with rubber ducks only), and beginning to enunciate "B" after several weeks of speech therapy working on mouth closure.
• Beginning to understand "up" and lifting arms to be picked up when prompted.
• Laugh coming easier and more often.
• Appears to be hearing fairly well, responding to a variety of noises & name (clicking tounge)
• Beginning to "rock" on hands and knees whenever placed on playmat.
• Pincer grip pretty good, holding 2 objects and knocking together.
• some immitation with mouth and hand actions.
• Nursing very well.
• Hanging in Big person tub.
• Trying mushed up table foods off mama's plate & sips from open cup.

Ear Tubes!

7th Month Tricks

Beginning:
Weight, Length, Milestones:

Ending:
Weight, Length, Milestones:

Hmmm, clearly we were to busy Maxin' to jot these notes down!

6th Month Tricks

As Max's 6th Month on Earth is closing in on us, I find myself looking back all of his Milestones and growth :)

Today (4 days before his 7 month bday) he weighed in at 14lbs 12oz; and just about 25" long.

He is now:
Pushing up on extended arms.
Tripod sitting.
Big cheesy grins all the time.
Hanging out in the Exersaucer.











Rolling across a room to get somewhere, get something with ease...real locomotion.

Laughing with a lot of effort from momma (and only laughing for momma)

Began stage 2 foods, Miralax, and probiotics & being a good daily pooper (if you're a parent you'll understand the excitement of this one)!

and the beginning of HEARING/TALKING!!!
Last week we got "dada", one day later "momma" and "nana" ...over and over and over again!

Old Friends meeting New Max