Trying to suck thumb - Causing problems?!

[GraysonsMommy]

I know this sounds strange, but has anyone else had problems with their LOs trying to suck their thumbs?  Grayson used to use a pacifier and we've weaned him from that, quite successfully.  We expected he would find his thumb or fingers soon after, but never expected that in the beginning, he would actually overstimulate himself trying to figure it out.   :shock:   He spends so much time trying to keep his hand in or near his mouth that he gets really worked up.  His leg starts kicking and then he gets himself more wide awake rather than tired, he rolls around and then his sleepy eyes turn wide-eyed.  I try to let him soothe himself using his thumb, but he gets out of control and then complains when he's getting overtired and can't acomplish the task of keeping his thumb in his mouth.  So I end up having to wait until he's had enough and then I go in and "rescue" him by holding his hands down and sh-patting for a few seconds.  He goes right to sleep, but not until he's exhausted himself trying to suck his thumb first.  I imagine he will eventually gain enough control of that arm to get it down, but in the meantime, our nights are long and tedious, while he does this every time he wakes.  Which, unfortunately, have been frequent, because he has an ear infection.  We had gotten him to the point where for three full days and nights, he was putting himself to sleep (without the thumb or pacifier) and staying asleep through naps and at least until 4am.  Then the ear infection hit and now it's worse than it was before the sleep training.  He is waking literally every hour!  And crying himself into a frenzy, which makes him hungry so then I have to feed him at like 4am just to get him through the rest of the night/morning.  We had stopped all night feedings over two weeks ago and are terrified that this is going to create new bad habits.  DH and I are SOOOOO exhausted, like walking zombies, because he's been like this for almost a week now.  We've only fed him once though, when it was really bad.  He's being treated for the ear infection, but I guess it takes a while for the antibiotics to kick in?  I hope we don't have new issues to deal with now, are we back at square 1...HELP, any advice or words of encouragement?

Jessica with Grayson - 4 months

[Lucysmom]

Hi -

I am sorry your baby is sick... :cry:   Ear infections are awful.  How long has he been on antibiotics?  What kind of antibiotic is he taking and what dose?  The reason I ask is that my dh is an ear, nose, and throat doctor and deals with little ones with ear infections all the time so I could run this by him and see what he thinks.  Do you know if he has an outer ear infection or an inner ear infection?  Who diagnosed the ear infection (pediatrician or ear, nose, and throat doctor)?  Sorry for all of the questions but if you want me to run this by my dh I would be more than happy to do so.  I hope tonight is better for all of you...

Also, totally unrelated - Grayson is just 2 days older than Lucy and he is SUCH A CUTIE!!!!! Perhaps we could have an arranged marriage?! :lol:   I attended Lehigh University from 1992-96 and lived in Bethlehem until 2000.  Small world, huh?!  I really enjoyed living in the Lehigh Valley.

Well, Lucy is crying so must go and console.  Let me know if I can help.

[GraysonsMommy]

Think they would like an arranged marriage?  Grayson is so headstrong, I will be lucky, if he likes anything that is my idea, ha ha. 

I would love, if you could run this by your DH and I really really appreciate it!  My pediatrician diagnosed the ear infection after I went to her because Grayson was pulling at his ears and was up crying all night.  I had noticed him swatting at his ears earlier in the week, but thought it was just part of him learning about his body, just like when he pokes his eyes and crams his fingers up his nose, lol.  Then the crying and sleepless night did it for us.  The Dr. said that one of his ears was dull rather than shiny when she looked in it.  She prescribed Amoxicillan and he takes one teaspoon every 12 hours for ten days.  He's been on the antibiotics now for four days (as of today) and last night was one of our better nights.  He only woke twice other than for his DF.  He was easier to put back to sleep too.  Today he was still pulling on his ear, but this time it was the other ear, the one that the Dr. said was still ok.  Is it possible that the infection went into the other ear after we started the antibiotics?  She didn't say if it was inner or outer, but she said that he probably has some fluid trapped in there.  Could this be related to allergies, she didn't seem to think so.  This is when I start getting earaches too, related to allergies. 

I think that's so funny that you lived here, in Bethlehem, that is where my DH is from actually.  I'm originally from CT, we were relocated here a year ago.  Back home for DH and new to me.  His family is here which is really nice, now that we have Grayson.  Where in Ohio are you?  I used ot travel to Cleveland quite a bit when I was working.  Energizer was one of my clients. 

Well, Grayson isn't settling for his nap, so I better go sh-pat for a while, ha ha.  Thanks a bunch for you help and concern.

Jessica

[GraysonsMommy]

Melissa,
I also wonder, if you could ask your husband how long it should take for an infant to respond to antibiotics.  This is the first time he has ever been on them and it's been 5 full days since we started him on them.  He is still grabbing at his ears.  Tonight he woke up an hour after we put him down for bed, he was crying hard, like the first couple of nights, when he was in pain.  Is it possible that they aren't working or is it that it takes longer to work for an infant.  I get frequent ear infections and I thought the antibiotics worked faster than this.  Although, my dosage is much different, perhaps that has something to do with it?  Well, thanks again.  I'm starting to worry that the antibiotics aren't working.....we are halfway through his full prescription, so I imagine it can still get better.  Again, he's grabbing at both ears and only one was diagnosed with the ear infection on Tuesday.

Jessica

[Lucysmom]

Hey - We're online at the same time here!!!  I read your post to dh and he said it sounds like Grayson has a middle ear infection.  He said the amoxycillin is a good antibiotic to try first and that it can take a few days for the antibiotic to kick in.  However, it sounds like Grayson is still not feeling well.  Just my opinion here, but I think I would ask to see the pediatrician again to see if there is any improvement in the original ear and if there is an infection now in the other.  If the other ear has become infected or the original one still looks bad then he should be put on another antibiotic (again, this is my opinion). Dh did say that you could give him tylenol to help with the pain. 

I am sooooo sorry your little handsome man is not feeling well.  Keep me posted.  I am thinking of you guys!!!

[GraysonsMommy]

Melissa,
Well, last night he woke three times between 8-10:30pm, crying pretty hard.  But then after 11:00, he only woke at 2:30 and 4:00, before waking for the day.  I guess, he is better than he was before the antibiotics, so it must be doing something, right?  He was waking every hour or less before we took him to the dr.  We have a follow-up appointment on the 10th, I wonder if I should just wait this out and see how he does in the meantime.  I also read that babies this young will pull at their ears when their teeth start to hurt them, because they don't know where the pain is coming from.  So it could be that too. 

Has your DH ever approved Motrin for a baby under 6 months?  I heard it works faster and lasts longer.  Maybe I should try something for his teeth, like teething tablets.  Sheesh, I feel like I'm all over the place with this.  Babies should come with manuals!

Does your DH recommend having an ENT specialist for a baby who has just gotten his first ear infection?  I also heard about chiropractic adjustments to the neck and skull bones for middle ear fuid retention.  Has he ever heard of this working?  Sorry about all the questions.  It seems like each new question brings up a new one.

Jessica

[Lucysmom]

Hi -

Glad to hear last night was a bit better.  I would say to go with your maternal instinct in terms of whether or not Grayson needs to see the doctor sooner than the 10th.  Pediatricians diagnose and successfully treat ear infections all the time and ENT doctors are often called in when the treatment is not working or the infections keep on recurring.  Dh and I were actually just recently discussing the chiropractic adjustments that are done to relieve ear pain and he thinks it is total nonsense.  So you can take that for what it is worth.....

Dh is not home so can't ask him about the motrin....maybe call your pediatrician and ask.  I imagine it is ok but it never hurts to double check.

I forgot to answer your question about where in Ohio I live.  I live about an hour and a half south of Cleveland in a small town called Dover.  It is about 30 minutes south of Canton.  We moved here from NYC so it has been an adjustment but a good one.  I can't imagine trying to raise a baby in a 500 square foot one bedroom apartment (that is what we lived in)!!!  I still have some friends in Bethlehem so if I go and visit them I will let you know!  It would be fun to meet up!

Well, need to get some stuff done before Lucy wakes up from yet another 45 minute nap!!!  :evil:  Is Grayson doing those?  She goes for her 4 month appointment today and will get 4 vaccinations so the rest of today should be interesting!   :shock:   

Take care!

[GraysonsMommy]

Melissa,
How did Lucy do with her shots today?  Poor thing!!  :cry: I have to have DH go with me for the 4 month shots, I hate it! 

Definately let me know, if you will ever be in the area, it would be great to meet, then our little budding couple could meet as well, he he. 

I called the dr. about Grayson still pulling at his ears and they don't think there is a reason to see him until his follow-up appointment, unless he spikes a fever, which he hasn't.  So ok, I will try to be patient, although not getting any sleep at all is hard on us.  I also asked about the motrin and they said based on his weight, we can't start using it yet.  Probably a liability for them to approve us for that since allergies can occur if it's used too early, but only in a very small percentage of babies.  So, I won't do that either, lol. 

It's funny that you mention DH thinks it's a crock, about the chiropractic adjustments for treatment, because I found an article online that supported that same theory, it's a crock, lol.  Since we had a difficult delivery, he needed forcept AND vacuum help, twice each, I thought he could have problems with the plates in his head.  His little head is even still a bit crooked.  Not really noticable to most, but if I point it out, you could see it. So I thought it might be something worth investigating.  Shot down again, he he. 

I guess we are going to ride this out.  And hopefully on the 10th, when we have our f/u appointment (and his shots  :cry: ) they will tell us that the ear infection is gone.

So did you guys move by choice or did you get relocated?  What made you decide Ohio?  NYC is tough for raising children.  I lived about an hour and half north of NYC my whole life, in CT.  It was fun to visit, but I could never live there.  My uncle just moved there about a year ago and he is considering living just outside the City now, it's too much of everything, too many crowds, too much noise, too much rudeness to deal with, too expensive, apartments are too small for too much money, lol.  We all knew that already though, didn't we?

Gotta go finish making dinner now.  Chat with ya soon!

Jessica

[Lucysmom]

Hey -

Lucy will probably be up any second now but wanted to see how last night was.  I hope he seems to be feeling better today and that you got some rest.  That is good that you got some reassurance from the doctor and I also asked about motrin and my pediatrician said not until 6 months or older.  Anyway, I really hope he is feeling better and you are a bit more rested!!!

Lucy did fine with her shots.  I hate it when she cries when she is in pain - it is so heart-breaking!  She cried like crazy until we got into the car and she was already passed out asleep as I left the parking lot!!!!  She slept 3 hours yesterday afternoon and then was up for about 2 hours and went to bed for the night.  Dh did not do the dreamfeed but she made it through to 6:45 am.  So maybe she does not need it???  Do you df Grayson?

Lucy weighed in a 15 lbs. 6 ounces (90th %ile) and is 25 inches long (75%ile). It is hysterical that she is so tall and such a chunk as dh and I are "petite" (he weighs 135 lbs. and is 5'6").  So we have no idea where she is getting these "big" genes from!!!!

We moved to Ohio because there was a great opportunity for dh to open his practice.  It is a nice area and the people are really great so we are very happy with our choice.  We would have liked to have stayed in the Lehigh valley but there was not a huge need for an ENT and the malpractice insurance in PA is out of control. 

Well, Lucy is up so must run.  I have a TERRIFIC pounding headache so am hoping the rest of the day is a bit quiet....I can dream, right?  :lol:

[GraysonsMommy]

Hi Melissa,
Thanks for checking in on us!  Unfortunately, we had a pretty bad night last night!  Yes, we do the DF too, at 10:45, but now that he is waking just before it, instead of us waking him, I'm not sure what to think of it.  We thought he needed the extra calories before bed, but he's not taking his full bottle in the morning anymore, just four ounces.  So maybe he doesn't...I don't know, I feel so clueless lately.  I just know that now is not a good time to make anymore changes.  Maybe Lucy doesn't need hers if she made it all night without it.  But if she wasn't herself, that could have been it too, from the shots.  Last night he woke at 9pm, we woke him at 10:45 for the DF, then he woke again at 1:15, 2:30, 3, 3:30, and 4.  Finally we were so exhausted, we let him fuss in his crib a bit at 4am.  He wasn't crying hard, just sort of yelling and mantra crying.  He started to calm and play and at 5:30, he put himself back to sleep all on his own.  But he was up for an hour and a half!  He woke again for the day at 6:30.  His naps went pretty well, except that I always had to help him at the 45 minute/1 hour marks.  He would wake crying pretty hard, his poor little eyes closed still.   I had to do p/u-p/d a few times which I haven't had to do for naps in weeks, but he resettled fairly quickly and did the full 2 hours both times.  Now he is down again, but this time, I used OTC ear drops that are safe for infants.  He put himself to sleep!!  I guess the pain was gone.  We have a follow-up appointment on Monday.  Fingers crossed.

I'm surprised you didn't find the Lehigh Valley to be a good location for an ENT specialist.  With the severe allergy issues, I would expect a lot of people to want to see an ENT.  When I went to the nature store, they had sold out of the ear drops there, she said they always do at this time of year, bad allergies!  I guess that doesn't always equate to needing a specialist, huh?  What do I know anyway, he he.  I remember thinking Ohio was beautiful and that I could live there...with the exception of the ice storms every time we left first thing in the morning. We always seemed to visit in the winter.  The ground would be slick with ice on the way to the airport!  Scarey driving!  Not that I haven't seen icey roads before, but that was like a sheet of pure solid ice all the way! 

Lucy will lose her chunky weight once she starts moving around.  Grayson is a chunky monkey too.  He weighed 16 pounds 11 ounces when we brought him in for his ears a week ago.  He's 24 1/2 inches long, so he's shorter and fatter than Lucy, ha ha.  Sounds like a little old couple.  My mom says his head looks like a bowling ball, big and round, ha ha, poor little guy!  :lol:

Well, time to catch up on something around here, while Grayson naps.  This is his short nap, so he will be up before long.

Jessica

[GraysonsMommy]

This is pretty amazing, but I don't know whether to trust that it will stick for us....anyway, here is what happened last night.

I used the otc ear drops twice, once during his last nap, in which case he put himself to sleep completely, but woke only 40 minutes later.  And then I used them again at bedtime, because we didn't have the prescription drops picked up from the pharmacy yet.  DH went after his dinner meeting to get the prescription, so we would have them after the DF.  Grayson was slightly restless going to bed and I decided to swaddle him with one arm out (we haven't done this in a really long time).  He fell asleep pretty quickly, but woke twice before his DF which we normally do at 10:45.  Instead, we did the DF at 10:30 since he was already awake and crying.  This is when we tried the prescription ear drops for the first time.  And let me tell you, it's not easy to put ear drops into a wriggling baby.  I couldn't tell if anything actually got into the ear.  Well, I must have gotten something into the ear, because he put himself back to sleep through two transitions (around 1:30 and 3:00), I heard him stirring and his breathing changed like it does when I am helping him through his transitions at nap time.  Then he woke up at 4am and just needed to be repositioned in his crib.  He fell right back asleep and went through another transition on his own at 5:00 and then woke at 5:45 for the day.  He played happily in his crib until I went to get him at 6:30!!  WONDERFUL!!  He has done this randomly before, but not ever, ever as good as this.  So is there a chance this is here to stay and that it was his ears bothering him all along?  If the antibiotics aren't working for him, could it be something else, other than an ear infection?  I wonder if fluids can stay trapped in there, causing pressure and pain for a long period of time, even without an infection.  I did read something that said infants can have fluids trapped in their middle ears, because their estachea (spelling) tubes are short and narrow.  When they grow, the fluid slowly decreases, usually in a couple of months.  I wonder if this could have been his problem all along, because he has never been able to sleep well laying down.  He falls alseep on our shoulders easily though, upright.  And I was thinking reflux, but the dr. wasn't concerned because he's been gaining weight so well.  He's 16.11 pounds at 4 months!  I am going to pray that this repeats itself tonight!!

Jessica