8/21/07 - Amanda Smiles

Amanda gave me her first social smile on Sunday. She's smiled before in her sleep, or while nursing contently, but this was the first time she'd looked into my face and returned a smile. She's getting stronger now, capable of holding her head up long enough to take a good look around. She also pushes strongly with her arms and legs, and probably could launch herself out of your arms if you didn't have a good enough grip. I've been a little worried about her since she's been spitting up a lot lately. Her nose has been stuffy a lot, making it hard for her to nurse. I use the suction bulb on her nose a lot, but I can still hear her trying to breathe through clogged sinuses, even when they look clear. She ends up gulping down air, making her tummy upset. Sometimes she tries to breathe through her mouth while nursing and ends up gagging and coughing, and I have to sit her up to help her breathe. Other times she can only nurse for a couple gulps before crying out in pain, and I have to burp her every other minute. After a nursing session like that, she'll fall asleep in exhaustion. I'm suspicious that something I'm eating may not be agreeing with her, but can't figure what it is. I've already cut all gassy foods and dairy products from my diet. Dave thinks Amanda might have a deviated septum, which runs in his family.