# Doper Parents-Excessive Number of Diapers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 11, 2005, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181 "2005-01-11T05:59:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/21 "2005-01-12T20:04:58Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > 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. That’s what I thought at first, too. But the hospital’s had Babyberry for 24 hours now, on a catheter, so they’ve measured the actual urine output and are concerned for valid medical reasons. That’s something that’s difficult to do at home. (You can weigh the diapers, though, if you’re concerned. Or, if you have good insurance, just take 'em in to the doc. Their numbers are much better, and the peace of mind is worth the inconvenience.) That’s why “that feeling” is so important as parents. Yep, in 99 cases out of 100, you’re worried 'cause you’re a parent and parents worry. In that 1 case though, be very very glad you called the doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/22 "2005-01-12T23:01:26Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > \Also, we worry that he may catch something nasty while here. The other kids have RSV and menningitis and other yucky sounding coughs. Wash your hands like you have OCD while Babyberry is in there. You’re right to be wary of nosocomial infections (infections acquired while in hospital). Look after yourselves, too - eat healthy, get rest (if you can), and keep your hands away from your face. Best wishes for all of this coming out alright. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/23 "2005-01-13T05:15:08Z")
> [@](#): > > Wash your hands like you have OCD while Babyberry is in there. You’re right to be wary of nosocomial infections (infections acquired while in hospital). Look after yourselves, too - eat healthy, get rest (if you can), and keep your hands away from your face. This is VERY good advice. And it sounds like you’ve got a good endocrinologist & a good hospital. I’ve BTDT with my daughter (different medical problem) & I know how stressful it is…but it _is_ possible to get through it. Best wishes to the whole berryfamily and I’ll keep you in my thoughts. Keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/24 "2005-01-13T08:05:34Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > 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. Oh, he let’s us know, alright. And they are sopping wet. If we were being “overzealous” I doubt he’d be in the hospital for a second night now. I also doubt they’d be running MRIs and kidney ultrasounds. Please read the rest of the thread before jumping in like this. My instincts actually saved my son’s life, literally, and hopefully prevented serious brain damage. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/25 "2005-01-13T13:10:33Z")
inkleberry, best wishes coming at you. We’ve got a two month old baby boy, and I can’t even begin to imagine what you must be going through. Ours, however, doesn’t pee too much - he just plain old doesn’t poop. Thank God for Dr. Grandpa the pediatrician. We know he’s healthy and normal, he just doesn’t poop. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/26 "2005-01-13T15:34:18Z")
“First Newborn Child Overzealousness Syndrome” (what a stupid name) also saved my child’s life, back when he was a newborn. I thought he just had a bad cold, but after listening to him breathe over the phone, the after-hours nurse told us to transport him to Children’s Hospital immediately. A few hours later he stopped breathing on his own and had to be placed on a ventilator. Two chest tubes and six weeks of vancomycin later, he was finally better. When you’re a new parent and don’t have experience with what’s really bad and what’s not really bad, it is _extremely appropriate_ to err heavily on the side of caution and get things checked out if your gut feeling is that things aren’t right. It doesn’t help when well-meaning people tell you that you’re just overreacting because you’re a new parent. Did you read the part of this thread where the endocrinologist on call at the hospital told **inkleberry** that his child has a verifiable endrocine disorder? Please don’t be a putz. **inkleberry** , I hope everything turns out okay. It sounds like things are going as well as can be expected under the circumstances. Having a baby in the hospital is a nightmare, but at least he’s being well taken care of. Keep us updated! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/27 "2005-01-13T15:50:07Z")
After working in hospitals for a couple of years, I’m the first to say that there are a lot of people abusing the healthcare system, and going to emerg when they don’t need to. Parents of babies, however, get a pass on that, because their kids are so damned small, anything can happen so quickly. A fever that an adult could (and should) shake off at home can give a newborn permanent brain damage. ---
**Author:** ![grayhairedmomma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/28 "2005-01-13T18:44:05Z")
Hey **Inkleberry** I’m glad your baby is going to be ok. When my newborn was two weeks old she, already a baby hard to keep awake to feed, became almost impossibe to wake for more than a few minutes at a time and she lost almost all interest in eating. She would also cry in pain whenever I moved her around-highly unsual for this baby. This gradual decline started on a Saturday morning, I took her to the dr on Sunday morning and finally to the ER on Sunday night. The docs did every test imaginable, including a spinal tap, and we were there for a week. $10,000, two IVs and a regimen of “just in case” antibiotics later nobody knows what was wrong with her. Once she started eating well again and having a normal 'output", they sent us home. She’s 6 months old now and doing well. It’s very worrisome though to not know what happened and why. I’m glad you do and I wish you all the best. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/29 "2005-01-14T04:56:39Z")
Best wishes to babyberry! please keep us posted! ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/30 "2005-01-15T00:30:58Z")
They are now mostly sure it ISN’T diabetes insipidus. HOWEVER, we are still waiting for a brain ultrasound to come back. Meanwhile… His kidneys are inflamed. There have been blood cells in his urine. They’ve decided to start an IV of antibiotics and see what happens over the weekend. It may be that he has had a chronic infection and was drinking compulsively because of it. Or not. But that’s what we’re trying. Meanwhile, his whites of his eyes have turned grey. WTF?! Several doctors are now puzzled by this new and bizarre symptom. I think he is an alien. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/31 "2005-01-15T00:34:36Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > I think he is an alien. Are his pupils still round or are they becoming slightly slit-shaped, like a cat’s? Please also check for an emerging tail and report back. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/32 "2005-01-15T11:28:22Z")
I just saw this thread. My prayers are with you and your family **inkleberry**. I hope they find out what’s going on with your baby’s health, and that there is good help for him. Hang in there, and take care of yourself. The others were right when they said you need to stay healthy too. Stress can weaken your immune system, so get rest, fluids, and food etc. I hope everything works out for you. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/33 "2005-01-16T03:41:54Z")
The pediatrician called. The brain ultrasound yesterday revealed white matter damage, specifically to the hypothalamus and basal ganglia. He is being tested for obscure metabolic disorders, since there haven’t been any known hypoxic events in his brief life (7 weeks today). He also may have patent ductus arteriosis, a heart defect involving not getting enough blood to the lungs. Of course, neither the neurologist nor the cardiologist is here today, so these bombs got dropped and now we are just waiting until tomorrow when they supposedly will come see us. I don’t have words for the grief and fear I am feeling right now. This morning we were so happy, because we had been told all the baby had was a minor kidney infection and after some antibiotics he could go home on Monday. I have decided to challenge god to a duel. ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/34 "2005-01-16T03:59:29Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > I have decided to challenge god to a duel. Aim for the vulnerables. May you find the strength, somewhere, to get through this. -lv ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/35 "2005-01-16T04:15:53Z")
> [@LordVor](#): > > Aim for the vulnerables. > -lv Shouldn’t be hard, I’ve heard his are the size of Everest. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/36 "2005-01-16T04:24:23Z")
Oh man. Thank God you went to go get diaper thing looked into. You are in my prayers tonight. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/37 "2005-01-16T05:14:26Z")
> [@Bad News Baboon](#): > > Oh man. > > Thank God you went to go get diaper thing looked into. > > You are in my prayers tonight. Thanks for the thoughts. I’d like a rewind to last Monday night, when we left the ER feeling like the most neurotic parents in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/38 "2005-01-16T05:14:47Z")
Oh, damn. ☹ Himself & I are sending many thoughts, prayers & good energy out your way. Oh, on the duel thing…maybe if you tell god his shoe’s untied, he’ll look away & you can sneak in the coup d’grace. I’m so sorry. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/39 "2005-01-16T06:34:21Z")
inkleberry, my thoughts are with you and your little one. The rollercoaster of having been told it was nothing major, and then something potentially very major (but you don’t know what) must be nightmarish to say the least. Hang in there. I’m an agnostic teetering on the ledge of atheism, but I’ll say a prayer for you anyway in case somebody is out there listening. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181/40 "2005-01-16T06:40:34Z")
Oh, man. I’m so, so sorry. ☹ You’re certainly in our prayers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-parents-excessive-number-of-diapers/284181.md?page=3)