5-letter word: COLIC

So.....we're just back from Cooper's doctor's office. Here's what we learned:

1. There is no blood in his stool and that helped rule out milk protein and other allergies as the Dr.Mike said these common allergies generally present themselves with blood in the stool - that's a good thing.
   
2. The Zantac may not be working for Cooper.
   
3. In addition to acid reflux (GERD), Cooper also has colic, aka the dreaded 5-letter word for parents and doctors of infants. ;0 Dr.Mike said "basically he's pissed off (at his tummy and esophagus)" haha.
   
4. Cooper weighed in at 9 lbs 7 oz!!!!!!!! So there's no problems with thriving here! ;)

Here's the game plan: A controlled experiment to determine if the hysterical/screaming feedings are due to the reflux or to the colic, by doing the following:

1. Keep Cooper on Zantac through til Monday.
   
2. Change him over to Enfamil Nutramigen Lipil formula til Monday - apparently it's known to be helpful for colic babies because it is "pre-digested" (sounds gross doesn't it!) - meaning it's broken down already and easier for the baby to "digest". It's also hypoallergenic (and lactose-free and sucrose/sugar-free) so if there *was* an allergy issue this would help that too but doc does not think there's an allergy issue with Cooper. Dr.Mike warned us this formula is expensive and smelly. We just compared the price online with the Enfamil formula we had started out with and it's the same price so we're OK there. We read some online reviews from people who said it cured their babies' colic but that it smells like old cheese haha.
   
3. Call the doctor on Monday and report whether the new formula helped or not. If not, then Cooper will be switched from Zantac to Prevacid. If the formula does help and show remarkable improvement for Cooper then that becomes the new formula.

So, fingers, toes, legs, arms, and everything else crossed that the new formula helps. If not, then we'll go to plan B with the Prevacid.

Funny thing - I brought a bottle in to feed Cooper while in the doc's office so they could witness what we're dealing with. Wouldn't it figure that Cooper decided that this feeding was just fine and dandy and he was calm from the moment we walked in. Dr.Mike said it happens to everyone - the kids get to the doc's office which "is a magical place" and suddenly they feel better. But he has kids and *knows* what we're talking about when I explain what happens during 75% or more of his feedings - so at least he doesn't think I'm crazy LOL (though half the time I *feel* like I'm going crazy). Dr.Mike said that we're at the peak of the colic now and that we'll have another month or two of it before it goes away (lovely).

Please keep Cooper, Bob and me in your positive thoughts over the next several days - we just want Cooper to feel better and for us to not be so stressed and exhausted all the time. The dog and the cat have resorted to sleeping in the living room to hide from all the screaming LOL - so you *know* it's been bad when Cooper's dog momma (Hunter) is running for cover.