Okay, I’ve finally realized what I’m dealing with, and I feel pretty stupid for not drawing the connection earlier. I think Maya’s dealing with GERD.

I’ve considered this before, because Maya spits up. A lot. We’re not talking about the occasional drool out of the side ofthe mouth. We’re talking about changing clothes three+ times a day, and that’s because 5-8 bibs have soaked through. We’re talking about my wondering how she gains any weight at all, she pukes so much back up. Nice image, eh?

Anyway, tonight, I realized that when she’d wake up from a five-minute sleep, it was because she spit up. And screamed like it was KILLING her. She’s fussed about spitting up before, but this is escalating. I revisited the sites about baby reflux, and whaddya know? She didn’t seem like it before (she was a “happy spitter” as the docs call them), but NOW she’s showing the signs.

The worst part is that I knew what she’s feeling, and it’s hell. I was diagnosed with GERD in 1999, and spent 2 years on (then prescription) Prilosec. The pain subsided enough in 2001 that I was able to abandon the meds…until pregnancy. Pregnancy brought a whole new level of pain. Once I went back onto Prilosec (yes, after confirming it was safe with motherisk.org), I felt a million times better. For a while. Toward the end of pregnancy, I couldn’t lay down flat until usually around 4-5am. If I did before that, I’d wake to find reflux coming out my nose and going into my lungs. Lovely. I do *not* miss that part of pregnancy. Who am I kidding, I don’t miss pregnancy AT ALL!

My poor baby is hurting, I know just what she’s feeling, and I can’t do a thing about it tonight. The good news is, Anthem finally sent my insurance card, and it arrived today. Fortuitous, no? We’ll see the doctor ASAP.

I’m sorry, Maya. You got mommy’s tummy.

By Jove, I think she’s got it! (Mommy can be a little dense sometimes.)