As I was almost home, 6 1/2 hours or so into my drive, I got a very emotional call from Hannah. At their second baby check up, the nurse noticed June’s flaccid body and was concerned. The pediatrician made the decision to readmit June to the hospital for observation.
I was floored. Hannah was scared, of course. I called Dawn, Kent’s mom, who had also left for her drive home, and she was turning around to go back. She was 4 hours into her drive. I was relieved and torn. I wanted to be there but I had six appointments with clients the next day along with Homestead group with a new girl, clients to see on Friday, and I was exhausted, emotionally, mentally and physically. It is hard to recognize our human limitations but it is necessary.
Hannah updated us in the evening. The Pediatrician there assured them that June was not in danger. Her reflexes had been normal all along so they felt it wasn’t neurological.
The update the next day was even more comforting. They felt this was a reflex, a vagal response to feeding. After the speech/language assessment (shout out to our SLP’s—a lot of people don’t realize the expertise they hold in feeding/swallowing/tongue/throat…), they had an explanation and several solutions. With some minor adjustments to the breastfeeding, June stopped having the episodes and she was feeding well. Hannah’s milk came in fully which was a relief to all. They did decide, however, to keep June a second night under the lights to help her jaundice and eliminate more of the sleepiness.
When I told my Mom all this, her reaction was hilarious. She noted that though baby June is chill, she is also a bit of a drama queen, so like her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
June, Hannah and Kent are back home and doing very well. All of the challenges of having a newborn continue, of course, but everyone is healthy and happy.
dianegclark 