Results

Well, we have been on the Elimination diet for 2 months now, and things couldn't be better. It is so nice to see the fruits of my labor. I am feeling great without all the processed and refined junk filling my system. Cooper is doing better than ever, thriving so much. I would guess he's gained around 4lbs, while I have lost about 25! I am now well below my pre-pregnancy weight and even below the pre-fertility treatment weight. It is so nice to have done things the healthy way. I really didn't know if it would be possible, but it was. We are feeling great and loving life!

My new outlook on food

Lately I have been having fun "creating" allergy-free recipes. I am really starting to embrace the elimination diet, and it is quickly becoming a lifestyle. I've decided I will probably stay on a modified form of the diet after I wean, and I plan to keep Cooper on a gluten-free diet well past a year. I have learned of some of the benefits of the gluten-free lifestyle, and I think it will be good for us. There is a diet that some endometriosis sufferers swear by, and it is very similar to my current diet. The difference is, once Cooper weans, I will probably (who am I kidding, definitely) cheat now and again and have a piece of cake or a cookie from time to time. Anywho, for now, I'm learning how I can make the things we enjoy that won't cause problems for the little guy. So plan on seeing lots of new recipes and food pictures that are reflux/allergy friendly. Don't be afraid to give them a try; they have all been husband tested!

6 month well check

We had Cooper's check up yesterday afternoon. He weighed 14lbs 12oz and was 27in long. He stayed in the 75th percentile for height; right where he has been all along. As far as weight, the pedi plotted him at just below the 5th, which is also right around the same spot he has been at in the past. So, he didn't jump way up to a new curve as I had hoped, but he didn't drop either, which is great. He is really doing pretty well. I'm not sure where the pulmo got the 10th percent from, but oh well, it just numbers! What is important to me is the fact that he gained over 3 pounds since his 4 month appointment. That is a big deal for us, so I'm super happy. I absolutely believe it is because of the elimination diet. I told both the pedi and the nurse what a difference it has made for us and that I would highly recommend it to any mother struggling like we have. The doctor really praised me for sticking with the breast feeding, and he agreed that the diet has helped tremendously. He told me he didn't know where we would be with Cooper if we would have switched to formula, that there would have been no turning back if it had made things worse. I have to admit, I really needed that encouragement. Breastfeeding has been so hard, and there were so many times I wanted to give up, but it is getting easier now. I'm not sure when I'll wean at this point; it all depends on how he does with new foods. I opted not to vaccinate yesterday, details of which I will save for a post of its own. Overall, I would say the check up was a success. He is doing so great these days. I am in awe each and every day.

One week down...

I am now on my second week of the elimination diet. Only one more week until I get to start adding foods back. I will probably start with oats. Our life has changed dramatically over the past week. We have a new, much healthier baby. He is teething which is generally a nightmare for every baby, but even worse for refluxers, but he is doing surprisingly well. I mean, he defiantly still refluxes and needs meds for now, but nothing like one month ago. I am getting used to the diet as well, and what it has done for Cooper makes it well worth it. I just wish someone would have told me to do this 4 months ago. I considered it, but never had great encouragement from his docs, so I just figured that it wouldn't make that much of a difference. I now know we are clearly dealing with some food allergies here. He has also gone from 6-10 stools a day to 1-2 a day, often skipping a day as a breastfed baby should. We also know Cooper can't eat butternut squash or rice yet as they lead to a really hard night. We tried green beans yesterday, and our night was awful, but I think it may have been the teeth. We will lay of them for now anyhow. As you see, I have a much more positive attitude now that I am seeing the fruits of my labor. It is so nice to know I can finally do something to help my baby!