6 month appointment

Overall, the boys seem to be in pretty good health. Braxton is 16 lb 14 oz and Caleb is 14 lb 7 oz. The doctor was thrilled that they've been EBF. I was thrilled that he lectured my mom for 5 minutes after she threatened to call CPS if I didn't start them on solids immediately after the appointment. The not so great part is that he heard a murmur when he listened to Caleb's heart. He said that it's normal and that 85% of babies have one at some point, but hearing him express even the slightest concern over an issue as big as the heart just ripped me to pieces. he says that he'll check it again in 3 months but I feel like I will have lost my mind by then. He's also a little behind as far as trunk strength. We were told to do more tummy time. He even asked if they received EI. He said he didn't think it was necessary but I hate that he even had to ask. Please give me some reassurance that everything will be ok. He's my TTTS donor and has been such a little fighter even since birth. It seems that every time there's an issue it's with him and not his brother. I just feel so sad and afraid.

 

Ok, deeeeeep breath. It IS ok. I remember our ped saying the same thing about the heart murmur. He said it is really common, and most outgrow it---so I would try to put that out of your mind for now. If it were really serious, the doctor would not be waiting three months to check on it, so that says a lot. As for trunk strength, more tummy time will do the trick---and really fast! You'll be surprised at how strong he will get in a short amount of time. That is something you actually have a little more control over, so just make an effort to get on the floor with him and stimulate him with toys and song and stuff so he is willing to lay there longer. You'll see a big difference really soon. Your babies are so perfect and so loved and so lucky to have a mom like you. You're doing a great job!

Reyna

 

:hug99: s! I do think that it is fairly common, my friend's daughter had it, and it resolved by a year. That said, you are a mommy, and of course you are going to worry! Try not to worry about the things that you cannot control and focus on the things that you can do to help, which sounds like more tummy time! I am sure everything will be fine. :hug99:

 

My Henry had a heart murmur at birth, and I remember just how scary it was to hear that anything could be wrong. As far as we know, his has self corrected and they have not heard it since his 2 week appointment. I agree with the PP that if they aren't worried about checking it for another 3 months, it can't be too serious!!

Good Luck, and keep up the good work with the breastfeeding. You should be so proud of yourself and your boys!
Suzi

 

Your boys are so big! My IUGR boy has a murmur too. They heard it at their 2 month appt. We were sent immed to the hospital for tests. We were concerned since they didn't hear it in the nicu. Everything is fine and they said it will heal itself over time. Hang in there! Megan

 

I have two cousins who had heart murmurs as babies. The older cousin is now 23, the younger is 19 and a super athlete. Both closed within a year or two (I can't remember exactly how long it too) Heart murmurs in babies really aren't as big of a deal as they sound!

 

:hug99: Big big hugs! I know it's easy to freak out, but it's really ok.

Here's my heart murmur story - from the beginning, DS has had very visible retractions when he breathes (he can breathe fine, it just looks incredibly laborious - everything gets sort of sucked in where his ribcage meets his belly), and when the pedi was investigating that further, he found a heart murmur. They assured us that everything was probably fine - if he had a serious problem, he wouldn't be able to eat and gain weight well. But we still went to a pediatric cardiologist just to double check. The cardio heard the murmur too and even did an echocardiogram - and said that everything's fine, not to worry.

As pps said, they are incredibly common in babies, and don't really mean much. It will probably go away on its own. I know it's hard to get hit with anything even slightly out of the ordinary, especially with a baby you worried over a lot before birth. But infant heart murmurs are generally no big deal.

Congrats on the weights! WTG nursing them! :clapping: (And I'm so glad the pedi put your pushy mom in her place too, I know she's been giving you a hard time.)

 

Both our babies (they'll be 6 mo. on 12/29) had murmurs which disappeared - Max's was detected at his 2-week checkup, but it was gone two weeks later when we took him to a specialist for follow-up. Then at our 4-mo checkup Ava had one, but it too was gone two weeks later at the follow-up appt. Our pedi said they are so very common in babies because of their rapid growth, but that they heal/close up 99% of the time on their own - and even those few kids who continue to have them go on to lead very healthy, active and normal lives. We too were incredibly concerned but thankfully they just went away, and I pray that your little guy's does too!

 

Everyone is giving great advice so I hope you feel better I will keep him in my prayers! Goodluck!

 

Thank you guys for all the encouraging words. I feel much better today.

 

I just saw this post today...

Addison has a murmor and gets checked every 3 months. I, like you, wanted it checked sooner but the dr. said the only way they can tell if it's getting smaller is to check that often.

she is totally healthy and has no problems whatsoever. I'm sure you are doing great!! What big babies for EBF!! Way to go!!

 

I was born with a heart murmur too. I am 24 today and also I was a 3 sport athlete all through high school and also played sports in college. I never had surgery though and now you would never be able to tell. It is a very common thing and he will be ok! Try not to worry, everything will be fine!

 

I remember my little brother being diagnosed with a heart murmur. He's now a healthy 54 year old man and going strong. It is very common and like everyone has said, if the problem were significant you can bet you would have been referred to a pediatric cardiologist. Even if they find something insignificant, they have to tell you to make you aware. Our pediatrician feels compelled to tell us they boys have ear wax buildup, but in the same breath tells us not to use q tips or try to get it out - that it's no problem - then why tell us because it just makes me worry about it and wonder what I can do about it - it's insignificant, but if they see something - anything, heart murmur, etc. they tell you. As far as trunk strength, that's something you can work on with tummy time and play time. I wouldn't fret over it. As long as the babies are growing the sizes they are and are happy and healthy, just pat yourself on the back for doing a good job. As far as solid foods, I'm a fan of feeding solids and I have fed the boys for a long time, but my brother and his wife - the one referenced above - fed strictly formula until their son was a year old. He's 30 years old, stands 6'5, was a collegiate football player, olympic class trampoline gymnast, and track star. He now coaches at the college level. My brother is 5'5, my father was 5'3 and my mother was 5'. Apparently a diet of entirely formula his entire first year didn't hurt him. If that's your plan, stick with it. Don't do something just because someone else does it or your mother tries to pressure you. If my daughter is dead set against me doing something, even though I keep the boys the majority of the day, I back off. They are her children and as such her say is final.

 

AS far as the EI, take all the help you can get! Both you and those babies will learn something new.