Reflux and Grace

Reflux. 18 months ago I never really thought about it. My mum said I brought up a lot when I was little. As I awaited the arrival of our baby I bought lots of muslin squares. I fully expected spit up. I even expected some greater throw ups. But in my head this would last a while. A few months. And it would only be breast milk. My milk, so really it wouldn't be that horrible, because you know I don't really deal with sick.

Then Noah arrived. He was beautiful. But pretty much from the instant he took breath on this earth, he has thrown up. At first it was manageable but then it went crazy. The first time this happened was terrifying. I was sitting on the settee in the early morning feeding him when suddenly he projectile vomited everywhere. It was incredible. Shocking. Mind blowing. I panicked and kind of ran round the room screaming his name.

I thought it was a one off. 18 months later I can assure you it was not. Today we still carry full outfit changes and muslin cloths everywhere we go. Teething means our washing machine is on non stop. As do colds. And laughing too much. Or crying too much. It still drives me crazy. But I am not afraid by it. It scares those around us. It's awkward. It's ridiculously messy, but it's a weird part of our normality. We clean up, change clothes and move on in an instant.

18 months ago if you had told me this would still be going on today I would never have thought I would have become so blasé about the whole thing. But I have. I want it to stop but God's grace is truly enough. He gives us strength that is not of our own. He helps us deal with those situations we never could deal with on our own. I know that in life there will be many challenges and difficulties immensely greater than reflux that we will face but I am comforted by the fact that His grace is enough in every trial that we face.

It's Going to Be OK

Somehow I now have a 14 month year old. Looking back on the past year it has been hard and wonderful all at the same time. If I was to tell my one year younger self some things it would go like this.....

That so called 'reflux' your little baby has doesn't go away. Even at 14 months he's still sick all. the. time. And no one knows why. You have to fight to get him looked at. You cry, he cries, but it no longer scares you. It scares everyone around you, but you are stronger than you think, you can cope with this, God's grace will carry you through and it will get better

Noah will be small. And that is OK. It really is. You have not failed because he is light. Ignore the health professionals who tell you other wise. Ignore the boasting mothers with their big babies. It is fine to be light.

You can live away from family and friends with a little baby. It will be tougher than you ever imagined. But you will be OK. And at the end you will realise what a Big, all supporting God we serve.

Your baby doesn't need to walk first, eat first talk first to prove that you are a good parent. He will do all these things. In his own time. Enjoy the journey.

You will sleep again. You will. All night on occasion. It will take some time but it will happen.

You are doing OK, go with your instincts.

You think you love him now? You will love him more than you ever imagined. Hold him, cuddle him, smell him, talk to him, soak up his giggles.

Stop worrying.

He will be OK.

You will be OK.

God has this under control. 

What Cloth Nappies?

So, now that I have outlined why we use cloth nappies, I'd like to move on to what brands we use. This is probably the biggest dilemma when using cloth and when you start researching it can become somewhat overwhelming.

 

Snaps or Velcro?

 

Our stash is nearly exclusively snaps as I much prefer them and feel it's easier to get a more consistent fit, as you can remember where to snap them in. They also last longer. However I always try and have a Velcro closure one in my bag if I'm leaving Noah in crèche, as they are similar to disposables and easier for the uninitiated!

 

Two parters... All in ones...Pockets...?

 

Initially I mostly bought the Flip system, and I am so glad I did. It is by far my favourite nappy system. It is a two part system and I love the fact that you only have to replace the insert each time, which means that it is much more economical than other types. They are also the nappies I find most reliable and get the best fit with. We have stay dry inserts for during the day, they generally last about 3 hours and use an organic and stay dry at night.

 

In terms of other two part nappies, I inherited some Motherease nappies and I really like these too. I'm so surprised that I do. If I know that Noah is going to be in his nappy for a good while, for what ever reason, these are the nappy I go to!

 

Trevor doesn't like Flips, as he finds them too complicated, so we have a few pockets and all in ones in our stash for him and others to use. My favourite out of these are the Bum Genius V4 and Freetime, the Blueberry Deluxe (which is soooooooo reliable!) and Baba and Boo (which make the cutest na

ppies ever!) I have a love/hate relationship with Tots Bots, Green Pomelo and Gro Via- they go through periods of working perfectly and then will go through weeks of leaking every time I them. Bottom of my nappy pile are Bambino Mio, I never ever would take Noah out in these and only really use them if he's only going to be in the nappy for a very short time.

 

 

So they are my recommendations, but everyone has different preferences!

Why we use Cloth Nappies

I used to baby sit. A lot. One day when I went to the bin of those I was baby sitting, it was literally overflowing with nappies. It was at that moment I decided that I would use cloth nappies on any children I would be blessed with. At this point I knew nothing about them. However, many many hours of research  and 7 months of using them later, I feel I perhaps know more on the subject than is really necessary! However I love and feel so passionate about them!

This is the first in a little mini series I hope to do concerning cloth nappies. In this first post I want to outline why we use them.

1. Cost. 

First Day in Cloth

Admittedly the initial cost is quiet a lot. However there is no better feeling than passing the disposable nappy section in the supermarket and knowing that you have all the nappies you need for the rest of your babies nappy wearing days (and for any future children you may have!)

2. Environment

God gave us this world to be good stewards of. Without seeming judgemental, I just do not feel that throwing nappies into landfill, which will take hundreds of years to decompose is being a good steward.

3. Better for baby.

I am really not into natural products for myself, but I hate the thought of Noah sitting in chemical filled nappies all day every day. I am not convinced that enough research has been done into the effects of these chemicals on children.

4. Smell

I have a real thing about smelly nappies. Often bins are only collected every other weeks. Smelly nappies sitting there for 2 weeks? No thank you.

5. Reliability

I remember people talking about 'blow-outs' from nappies and not having a clue what they were talking about. Then we were on holiday and I was using disposables and I suddenly discovered!

6. Cuteness

I love the look of Noah in his  cloth nappy!!

Baby Reality

So... once upon a time I was a dedicated blogger.

Some people even read my blog. (or so the stat counter thingy said)

Then by Gods abundant goodness I got pregnant. And I felt sick. Until week 26. So on my lunch break rather than blog, I slept (and ate bread sticks.)

Then I had a baby. And moved country. And I was just too busy. Plus people don't really seem to blog about their babies who don't put on enough weight. Or who are sick violently. A lot.

Baby blogs seem to go like this.

Here I am. Perfect make up. Perfect Hair. We have a perfect schedule. My baby naps. He's put on 15lbs since birth. I love breast feeding soo much! I make all the baby food from scratch and he gobbles it all up. We went on a play date. My baby sleeps all night.

But you know what. That isn't actually reality. And this blog is really a record for me or what life is really like with a baby.

It's hard work.

But it is the most amazing thing in the whole entire world and I wouldn't change my little boy for anything.

So, I am going to return to blogging (I hope). And I am going to blog about the reality. About the baby who wont nap. Who doesn't sleep all night. The baby who is so very dairy intolerant that I can't eat anything with dairy in it. But about the baby who make me smile a gazillion times a day. The baby who came in Gods perfect time. The baby who I love more than I thought possible. I may be covered in baby puke most of the time and constantly have bags under my eyes. My greatest hope for 2014 may be to sleep for 8 hours straight. But I wouldn't change it for anything.

A gift

So, it appears I had a little blogging break there and I'm not sure that this break has really come to an end.

However as I write this I do so with one hand. In my other arm lies the most beautiful baby ever created. Our baby. Noah. He arrived two weeks ago, the 30th May, at 4.19pm. All 8lb 5 1/2 oz of miracle.

I can't actually believe he is here. I am blessed beyond measure.

Reclaiming Adoption

A while back I read and reviewd "Adopted for Life." I absoutely loved that book, so when Reclaiming adoption arrived in store I was keen to read it..

So often when a book contains the word 'adoption' in the title many view it as a book solely focusing on the adoption of children. 'Reclaiming Adoption' is unashamedly a book which encourages Christians to add to their families through adoption but this is by no means the sole or even primary purpose of the book. Edited by Dan Curver, the Director of Together for Adoption, a notable lineup of contributors including, John Piper, Rick Phillips and Scotty Smith have collaborated in this short volume hoping fulfill their dream that "...when Christians hear the word adoption, they will think first about their adoption by God."

 It is the conviction of the writers that the doctrine of adoption has been neglected both historically and currently. The first six chapters of the book consider primarily the doctrine of adoption focusing on the adoption of prodigals, adoption and the Trinity, Incarnation and Union with Christ as well as the good news and freedom of adoption. Each of the chapters bring great encouragement and leave us feeling immensely thankful to God for our adoption despite our sinful nature, as Scotty Smith comments in chapter 6 "...the objective reality of our adoption should generate within us unspeakable joy-one that brings much glory to God."

 Although throughout the book there are references to the issue of adoption of children, it is the final two chapters of the book which focus most on this issue. It is commented "Biblically, adoption and orphan care are not primarily something we do because we are infertile or want to meet a great need. They are tangible demonstrations and pictures of the gospel- of God's adoption of us- put on display for the world to see and give glory to God." We see how the church is called to care for the vulnerable and that there are few in society more vulnerable than orphans. It is our duty to care both for these children in our city and those throughout the world. 

John Piper brings the reader 8 similarities between God's adoption of us and our adoption of children. This book is an encouraging and challenging read. We are reminded of a neglected doctrine, that of adoption and are left rejoicing in our adoption to the family of God, with all the benefits that means for us. However, along with the rejoicing we are left convicted. The book frequently refers to churches in America where a culture of adoption has developed, however even though there has been an increased awareness there are still hundreds of thousands of orphans in our world today, who are need of a father and more importantly in need of a saviour.

Published by Cruciform Press