8 Months Old

As noted in another posting, Emma got her Mickey button at 8 months old. This is more conventient than the tube, but is currently a bit pink/blistery/oozy. After talking to the nurse, it sounds like this is granulation tissue and is quite common. She suggested using triamcinolone creme to help reduce this.

While under sedation for the mickey button surgery, an EMG (electromyogram) test was conducted. This test evaluated the electrical activity in nerves and muscles to determine if there are abnormalities in the way nerves transmit impulses or to the muscles. Preliminary results from this test appear normal.


Her formula has changed to Pregestimil. According to the packaging and on-line information, "the fat blend in Pregestimil Lipil consists mostly of a special type of fat called "MCT oil," a "medium chail triglyceride oil." Enfamil's Pregestimil Lipil's unique formulation is designed for feeding babies with diseases or disorders that make it difficult for them to absorb the fat blend in most other formulas." She seems to be spitting up less and not quite as uncomfortable on this formula.

We have asked numerous times in the past whether Emma should change formulas and the answer was always to "just stay on what she's on". We asked about hypoallergenic formulas recently as we were wondering if she might have a protein sensitivity or a food allergy. The doctors don't seem to think she has a food allergy, but were agreeable to giving the hypoallergenic formula a try. It appears to have decreased her overall volume of spit ups. She does still have one or two big spit ups a day (and additional minor ones). She still sometimes get uncomfortable, but this appears to be less in frequency and intensity. She still has her bad days, but overall we think the formula is more appealling to her sensitive tummy.


It has been two weeks since her last weight check in. At that time she weighed in at 13 pounds, 9 ounces. She had a very good growth rate at her last check in (about an ounce per day). This is a typical growth rate, but atypical for Emma. Her growth rate has typically been much less than this. I am looking forward to see what she will weigh at her next weigh in.