As a parent, I've become obsessed with all bodily functions and fluids. Runny nose? I head right for the nasal aspirator and suck those boogies out! Poopy diaper? What does it look like? Too hard, too soft? Ear wax? Better get it out before it turns into an ear infection!
Okay, so that's kind of gross. But shamefully true. So when Oliver stopped pooping for a couple of days, I definitely noticed. We went through two cycles of no poop for a couple of days when I decided to call the doctor. Add two more days of waiting for the doctor to call back (until I realized I left my old phone number on the message) and the poor little man had some issues.
It turns out that constipation is a common condition with spina bifida. I felt so bad for not knowing! The SB nurse at CHOP told me to give him some prune juice, or maybe to even start him on baby food that could loosen him up. You didn't have to tell me twice -- I've been so anxious to start Oliver on baby food, but was waiting until 6 months. So I went right out to the store and got some baby prunes. Mac's firstfood was bananas. Delicious! Prunes? Um -- okay, I guess not so bad. Too bad that the story of his first food has to be linked with constipation. But he really seemed to enjoy them, and they've started to do their job. Going forward, I guess this is something he will have to have on a daily basis. I really do learn something new every day.
