A few people have mentioned our 6 week old seems to be going through an excessive number of diapers. We also thought compared to the baby books, it seemed like a lot. So we numbered a bunch of diapers today to keep track. It is now 10:05 PM. Since midnight (22 hours ago), he has gone through 22 diapers, of which 4 had poop. All 22 were filled with urine.
Is it just us, or is this number excessive?
Obviously we will mention our concerns to his doctor. But we thought we’d take a quick poll of doper parents and childcare folks first.
If it is excessive, what could be causing such a thing? Kidney problems? Diabetes? All the urine is clear, and it doesn’t hurt him to pee.
Compared to my son, that’s many more than we went through. We’ve always changed him every time he ate, unless he pooped at some point between feedings. So, when he was really little like your baby, and eating every 2-3 hours, he got changed 8-12 times a day. Those were usually wet, but not soaking and heavy. Now that he’s older (17 months), he poops once a day (usually…sometimes twice, sometimes not at all), but at 6 weeks, I seem to remember he pooped several times a day.
Anyway, IANAD and I think you should definitely give your doctor a call about this, but I would be less concerned about this than I would be about too few diapers. Well, except that you’ll probably have to take out a second mortgage on your home pretty soon.
We called the nurse hotline from the ped’s office after reaching diaper 24 a little while ago. We are now on our way to the closest children’s hospital.
Finally, we are home from the children’s hospital.
Infant catheters are disturbing.
It was wrong to laugh at the 14 yr old on house arrest that had to carry his monitor box with him in the hospital. But we couldn’t help it. We are bad people.
Baby Inkleberry is OK. They ran many tests. And when the endocrinogist comes in later, they will run more. But right now they think he just likes to pee. A lot. His electrolytes were fine, and so were his blood counts.
Poor baby. Catheter and IV and being held down. Sad sad night.
Out of curiosity, are you using cloth diapers? Cloth diapers feel wet to the touch long before disposable diapers do. The “8-10 wet diapers a day” benchmark seems to be written for disposables. Often, parents change a disposable not every time the child wets, but every second or even third time. My cloth diaper families go through more than the disposables.
Still, 22 is a whole lot. It’s a good thing you took baby to see someone. Now you know - you’ve got a Pisser of a Kid!
We have been using disposeables. Yes, 20+ disposeables a day.
Babyberry has been admitted to the hospital. The endocrinologist called us back a few hours later. They suspect diabetes insipidus, which has to do with kidneys and water, not pancreas and sugar. It is impossibly rare. We get to talk to the endocrinologist tomorrow.
When your baby is in the hospital it is scary and exhausting, I don’t know much about diabetes but I’d think if it’s been caught early everything will be fine (it may be work but he should be fine). Remember to get some rest for yourselves as well.
The fact that Babyberry’s electroltyes were normal is a Very Good Sign [sup]TM[/sup] Most forms of diabetes insipidus are treatable with oral or inhaled hormones. There’s one form that isn’t, and basically the patient just needs to drink lots and lots and lots of water, take electrolyte supplements and urine reducers.
I can’t stress enough how good it was that you got Babyberry into the doctor so quickly. Treatment that begins early is nearly always more effective. Please remember this “gut feeling” next time you’re wondering if everything’s OK. This is “that feeling” you should always learn to listen to as a parent.
Just wanted to add to the well wishes. I am glad you got it checked out. I have had moments as a new parent when something just seems a little off, but not like a glaring emergency and I know that feeling of wondering if it is a problem or just a quirk. I have always ended up getting those things checked out and the Dr.'s always say it is good to ask if you are wondering at all. You did the right thing.
I hope your little one is ok, it is good to hear his levels are good and he is not in pain. Hopefully what he has is easily treated and you all can go home and back to normal quickly.
Inkleberry, I’m glad your baby was able to be diagnosed so quickly, and is now going to get the treatment he needs! You and your family will be in my thoughts. Having a baby in the hospital is very frightening.
I just went through that newborn phase myself (w/twins) so I know how scary it is. You’re doing a great job! How fortunate that you acted before babyberry seemed sick.
He isn’t in any pain, except when they draw blood.
They are now saying we are gonna be here for a few days. We are getting kidney ultrasounds, more blood tests, and possibly brain MRI. Meanwhile, he continues to eat & pee, eat & pee.
It’s scary, but at least we like the hospital where he is and trust them. And it helps that he doesn’t look sick or have wires connected to him or anything. He looks like a normal baby, except that he pees a lot.
We will update more as we can. On hospital internet right now. Have worst hair imaginable thanks to a night on the couches in the parent lounge.
Also, we worry that he may catch something nasty while here. The other kids have RSV and menningitis and other yucky sounding coughs.
It sounds a little to me like FNBCS (Not a network cable channel, first newborn child overzealousness syndrome). If there are 22 diapers in 22 hours, that means you’re checking & changing them too often (especially when factoring in sleep time vs waking hours). A little Pamper dampness over a short period of time isn’t something to worry over. When they need changing, they iusually let you know.
