My Nine Month Old Is Still Throwing up Since Birth I Have Tried Everything!!!!

Updated on January 08, 2010
M.C. asks from Killeen, TX
40 answers

My nine month old has been throwing up since birth and I have done and tried everything. I am wondering if there is another mom that has ever been through the same problem with their son or daughter. My family doctor is perplexed on what it could be and waiting for a referral for a pediatrician. My son was born 7lbs at birth and was an all together healthy baby. When I took him home he presented colic like symptoms. From 9pm until 1am he would scream because he was so bloated and when his stomach went down he would fall asleep for an hour and wake up screaming non stop for a bottle and fed him and he would scream for about an hour before he fell back asleep. This occured until he was 2 months old and it finally subsided but him throwing up constantly never went away. When he was 5 months he was diagnosed with acid reflux and was prescribed zantac to help. 4 ML a day. It has done nothing to help with the problem I faithfully give him 2ML twice a day. I resorted to trying different formulas to see if that helped and nothing. All lactose milk does is smell coming up. When he started eating baby food at six months he would throw it up and whatever color the baby food was his onsie looked like. Ive tried putting cereal in his bottle to settle in his stomach and nothing it still comes up. Today I fight constantly with him staying dry. He pukes a bottles worth of formula up a day. This SUCKS!!!! I had an ultrasound on his priloric band around his belly and it is opening and closing normally. So I am perplexed on what this could be. He was having major issues gaining weight because of this issue. He went three months weighing fourteen pounds. Now hes 16lbs 14oz and he is considered right below fifty percent but his height isnt on the chart. So i am wondering why his height and weight isnt balancing out. Doesnt make since. I am perplexed on whats going on. I am DESPERATE for HELP.... Anyone experenced the same thing please let me know.

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C.R.

answers from Dallas on

You had lots of responses but i didn't read one talking about the possiblty of him being allergic to iron. My son (now 22)would throw up everytime he ate and even would stop breathing for a very short time. SCARY!! it took test and several dr's. I finally walk into a new dr's office told him what was happening and he said "sounds' like hes allergic to iron." We put him on a specail formula and everything was fine. His brother (2 years younger) even had some really pea green diapers that they finally decided he to could not tolerate iron.

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S.E.

answers from Wichita Falls on

My son did the same thing (and I breast fed exclusively for the first 2 months) We tried everything and nothing worked. If it makes you feel better, it stopped right about the same time as when he started walking and he is now a very normal healthy 7 yr old (and doesn't throw up at all now, even when he's sick)

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P.A.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M., I know is a long shot but have you tried chiropractor?? I met a lady once that had major problems with her daughter. She would not eat anything, to the point doctors thought about putting her on a permanent IV when she was 2 years-old. She was then taken to a chiropractor as a last resort and they found she had some tight muscles or something like that, that made her gag everytime she put something solid in her mouth. Well, when I met her mom, she was 5 and a perfect healthy girl. Like I said it is a long shot but I would try that anyway. I go to the same chiropractor she took her daughter to. His name is Dr. Wright, in Southlake, ###-###-####. Please let me know if you need anything. Good luck to you!!!

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J.M.

answers from Dallas on

My son was very similar; except his screaming was day and night. I have studied up and it seems clear to me that my son needs new foods intorduce VERY slowly. More slowly than most babies. His digestive tract is far more immature than it should be and therefore he needs extra time to allow his body to adjust. Also, he needs to be kept off his tummy and no pressure put on his tummy for 45 minutes after eating. Hope this helps. It seems it is caused by a low level of proper enzymes etc the digestive tract uses to aid digestion.

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Mine both had terrible refulx. My littler guy had it really bad. Once I started them on solids it got a little less, but still pretty bad. I;m talking half his feed would come up, every time. We had an upper GI done on the littel guy at 7mo. We were told the same thing as the pedi told us, he'll grow out of it. Radiol could not find anything specific. And, well, they both did grwo out of it. By the time they were about 12 mo they were doing so much better. Eventually it just stopped. You hang in there. believe me I know how frustrating it is. So glad I got leather furniture and upholstery in my car.....

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G.W.

answers from Dallas on

M., I think you should really consider seeing a pediatric gastroenterologist. DOn't wait around - get this appointment as soon as you can.

I read a wonderful book by Dr. Bryan Vartebedian called "Colic Solved". HE is a pediatric Gastroenterologist, and the book is all about stomach issues, milk protein sensitivities, acid reflux, etc. It's an easy read! I got it from the library so try there to save yourself some money.

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

I completely understand what you are going through! My daughter went through this until she was about 18 months. Unfortunately, nothing really helped very much. We switched her to Neocate and that helped with her weight gain but didn't totally end the vomit. Our pediatirc chiropractor, dr. George Hoogeveen helped make her more comfortable, probiotics settled the bloating, and our pediatirc gastro doctor (dr. An at medical city) had great insight, options, perspective, and comfort. My daughter is now 22 months and only spits up occasionally. Sorry you are dealing with this but it will get better!!

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T.P.

answers from Dallas on

Ask your doctor if he could possibly have pyloric stenosis. It is usually found in first born males. My son had it. When a friend of mine's son had similar symptoms, I wanted to mention it but my husband told me to keep quiet and not freak her out. I couldn't keep quiet. She had her son checked and sure enough, he had it, also.

It requires a minor surgery. Both our children were treated under 4 mos of age. My son was just 2 mos old. Hope you figure this out! :(

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

Hi! Have you gotten him tested for food allergies and celiac disease? Celiac disease, in a nutshell, is an intolerance to gluten, which is in SO MUCH food. If you Google it, you'll get a ton of information. A blood test will let you know if he has it, though a biopsy is the most conclusive way to tell. He could also just have an allergy to dairy and/or other foods not related to gluten. That's the path I would explore. If you'd like more information, including who should be able to provide you with the tests, please don't hesitate to contact me.

S. King - ###-###-####

S.M.

answers from Dallas on

i didn't read al your responses but i see that there are several so i'll keep it short

a gluten intolerance maybe?

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

M.,
Have you ever had your child tested for celiac disease, which is actually different from a wheat allergy, although wheat would have to be eliminated from the diet? Not only am I healthcare professional and have family members with it, but there was a recent Discovery Health Channel episode about an infant/toddler with it that went thru Massive amounts of testing for many years prior to finding out that is what it was because docs kept saying it was "not common" etc. I would look into it. Hope it helps! Demand it! It may entail an endoscopy. And, as a health care professional, I would never take my child to a chiropractor. My opinion but chiropractors provide a quick fix and not a cure. Some people swear by them but I guess it is personal choice. But a healthy baby should not have to be aligned or adjusted to function normally. Many malodies at this age tend to be from underdevelopment or GI dysfunction. A nine month old "shouldn't" still be having typical baby reflux so positioning probably isn't a solution but may help.

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S.A.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.

I know of several friends that have had children that were unable to take formula and keep it down; along with having other issues such as allergies, stomach issues, ear infections, low immune systems etc. Most of these people found that as they took a natural approach to the health care of their child; the childs health improved.

I would like to share a Healthy Kids booklet with you to see if there is anything that may assist you in the needs you have currently. If you are interested I will mail you this booklet for free for you to read and share with other moms you may know.

If you find there may be something in it for you I will
help you get your child on a natural regimen to improve his health.

If you would like a copy of the booklet please email me at ____@____.com. I will at mail the booklet
to you.

Natural is the best way to go because as we go on medication for one thing to improve; you will normally experience side effects in other areas of your health. Just listen to the medication commercials on TV today; they all have side effects they list on the commercials.

A natural approach to health is better because it will build our is much better to improve immune systems and create longterm health benefits.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

S. A.

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M.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,

A girlfriend of mine went through the same thing until her daughter was about 6 months old. She switched to my pediatrician, who just has a way of listening very closely to parents. Her situation may be completely random, but after some testing it was discovered that she had a stomach virus, which she had been exposed to in utero while the father was very, very, ill. Several changes in formula, some medication just to get the symptoms under control, and a few months later, you would never know that she had been losing weight regularly as an infant.

My pediatrician is Dr. Karen Pilgrim-King. She is in Arlington at Pioneer Parkway and Davis. Several of my friends go to her, and don't even mind driving 30 minutes to get there.
Office number: ###-###-####

I think she referred my friend to a pediatric GI doc, but if you message me, I can get more details.

Good luck! Hope your baby gets fat and healthy very soon!

M.

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A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I'm sorry you are going through this! My little boy did the same thing. I would change his clothes as well as mine about 5 times a day. Every time he nursed he would spit up almost everything he ate. We too had the ultrasound to rule out pyloric stenosis. Our pediatrician prescribed zantac which did nothing. We switched to Prevacid after a couple of weeks. It didn't stop the spitting up it just made him more comfortable while he did it. We also bought a wedge pillow at Target to put him on to sleep. We held him upright for at least 30 minutes after eating. I cut out dairy which also seemed to help. Around 9 months he started slowing down on the spitting and by a year he had completely outgrown it. Hang in there...it will get better!

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M.H.

answers from Detroit on

Have they looked into Reflux, my daughter and my nephew had it she was on Zantac until about six months but it can last longer in some babies, there is a surgery available my nephew had it, as his was much worse than my daughters.

Hope that helps!

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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

I've been there too. My dd was in the hospital for almost a month. I would go there for some of her feedings and tell the nurses she was throwing up when taking her bottle. They said it is normal (just spit up), but it had to much force. She was home about 2wks and she started crying day and night. Ped office kept telling me it was colic, the gave her reflex meds and nothing was working. I kept pushing (listen to ur gut). Finally the sent us to childrens to do a swollow study (xrays of her swolling) and said her throat muscles where weak. Told me to put thinkener in her milk and how much. She was allergic to it, so dr put her on Enfamill AR and it got better (not great). I was also told to elevate her while she slept (tucker swing or raise one end of crib...) and sit her up in feedings. If ur others studies come back normal, ask for this one.
Good luck!

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L.P.

answers from Dallas on

My ds did the same thing. He just stopped at around 10 months old. I thought he would throw up forever. Hopefully the end is in sight for you. Good Luck!

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T.S.

answers from Dallas on

you can try pediatric chiropractor. she can help www.dramberbrooks.com a friend of mine had the same thing and it took 2 weeks to solve the problem

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,

I am so sorry to hear about your baby. I belong to a yahoo group called DFWHolistic Parenting. I have read many posts about babies having problems with regular cow's milk formula. They suggest using a goat's milk formula which is supposed to be gentler on the stomach. There is also a homemade recipe for formula in the book Nourishing Traditions.
Also, I take my children to get adjusted by my Chiropractor Dr. Kristi Corder. I know she could help your baby with adjusting and she has supplements that can help with colic.
Dr.Kristi is in Irving and her rates for children are very reasonable. I think $25 per visit. her number is ###-###-####. She is in the office Tues and Thurs after 12pm. Please let me know how everything works for you.
S.

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C.K.

answers from Dallas on

my boy when he was a baby has a "puking" problem too. We went to the see my family doctor and she said as long as it is not projectile vomit, it is normal for him and it will eventually go away. My family doctor is right, he stops throwing up around 1 year old. My son's problem might be different from yours. Did your family doctor say it is kind of okay for him to throw up at this age?
My suggestion is you might have to see a GI doctor who is specialize in pedi. Your son might have celiac disease, he might be allergic to gluten. Have you ever scheduled him for an upper endoscopy? It sounds scary but an upper endoscopy can pretty much give a good look into his stomach and see what's going on. I am an RN and I used to work for an endoscopy clinic. We do endoscopy all the time to diagnose people with celiac disease. If you want, you can start changing your baby's diet to non-gluten diet and see if it will help. If it does, then that will mean that he might have celiac.
Good luck with you and your boy, I hope he will feel better soon!

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N.B.

answers from Dallas on

Has your pediatrician tried a swallow study on him? I work for a pedi office in rowlett, and that would be our first step. She works very closely with CMC Dallas. That can determine many things instead of just being tested for celiac disease, reflux, one thing at a time.

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L.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,
My twin son was a premie, and threw up constantly - everything he ate. We went to Children's Medical Center on a referral, and had a scope done. It was determined that he had acid reflux, as well, and he was put on Prilosec. I also tried a certain formula after I breastfed - the name of it escapes me. It was the most expensive formula you can buy, but it helped him put on pounds. He finally was able to keep down food, and then I had to get my couches cleaned b/c of all of the projectile vomit.
Good luck.

L.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

As a mom, I haven't personally experienced this, but I'm wondering why your Family Physician is referring to a pediatrician instead of a gastroenterologist (GI Specialist).

I wouldn't want to speculate, but reflux is a possibility. Zantac is an older medication (an H2 antagonist whereas newer medications are based upon different science and tend to me more effective - only your doctor can recommend an appropriate product that is FDA approved for a 9 month-old).

Good luck in getting this resolved. I truly hope you're able to find an answer quickly!

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

We went through something similar *though not as severe as prolonged. Bless your heart.
After trying every formula on the market we finally found Enfamil A.R. (added Rice) that gives the formula weight. It's formulated for babies that continuously spit up... or like ours projectile vomit!! We ONLY used the premixed liquid. For some reason the powder would make him vomit as well.

And yes, we still used the Zantac at the same time, and he could not lay on his tummy much which really impeaded his ability to learn to crawl.

May you have some luck soon.
Give the AR a try - we swear by it.
I wish you little one a happy tummy.

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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

Are you sure it's not a dairy allergy? Have you switched to a soy formula at all? My oldest had prolific vomit and gas even though I nursed: turns out, she was reacting to the dairy in my diet for months before we figured it out.

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E.O.

answers from Dallas on

My grandson was told he had acid reflux also and would get bloated spit up or vomit,and couldn't poop. He would cry and we tried everything they couldn't find anything wrong. We didn't know what to do. We finally gave him nothing but soy, water, and juice and has been fine ever since. No milk products could be in his diet he is allergic to lactose or milk protien not sure but it has worked. So you have to make sure whatever it is that you are feeding him doesn't have milk and their are different names for milk products. There are plenty of soy products or rice. He loves soy ice cream. I hope this helps.

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L.W.

answers from Dallas on

I have soooo been there!

My son was on 2 meds for reflux and to help his bowel move. Then I figured out he was also allergic to milk and soy intolerant and put him on Nutramigen. Throwing up stopped. He's 6 1/2, still allergic and still has reflux and some tummy issues but he now thrives and is actually one of the tallest in his class.

You need to see both an allergist and a GI doc. The ultrasound you had is helpful but it's time for much further evaluation. We see Dr. Baker at Presby Plano for GI and Dr. Jon Van Wagoner near Presby Plano for Allergy (http://www.swallergy.com/index.htm). I don't have Dr. Baker bookmarked on my computer but can get you his info if you need it. We have seen several docs but he had the best bedside manner and was the most thorough.

Please email me if I can help or if you need to talk to another Mom who has been there. Not sure who your Pediatrician is but I'm surprised he has not referred you for a detailed GI consult.

Good luck!

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K.R.

answers from Dallas on

Just a guess... could it be celiac's disease? aka an allergy to gluten? that causes a great deal of bloating and abdominal discomfort... not sure about throwing up.

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A.F.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,

contact me and I have some information that may help to resolve the issue.

Blessings!

A.

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P.S.

answers from Dallas on

My granddaughter had the same symptoms your son seems to be displaying. The Pediatrician recommended she be placed in a near sitting position to take her bottle and eat.... and to remain upright for at least an hour after eating. She could not lay her down in a flat position at any time until the condition cleared up. Some kind of reflux caused from something (sorry I cannot remember what) not developed yet. My daughter put her in a car seat in an upright position to eat and when she slept it was in that car seat reclined back, but never flat, until she outgrew it. It took approx. two to three months but she recovered and has been fine. We carried her in the upright position also. I hope it is as simple as this to rid your poor baby of this problem. Both of you must be miserable! Good luck and please let us know how it all works out.

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E.S.

answers from Amarillo on

If your baby had a full stomach when they did the ultra sound then he might have pyloric stynosis and they couldn't see it. It happened with my daughter who is now almost 8 weeks old had surgery for ploric stynosis at 4 weeks, and my son who is now almost 6 years old had pyloric stynosis at 5 weeks and had the surgery. Just an idea! Prayers and best of luck!
E.

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J.H.

answers from Dallas on

My son also had the same issues as your son does. This is what we finally figured out to do:
We fed him upright like the PP suggested.
I started buying the liquid formula instead of the powder.
Keep the cereal out of his bottle. Feed him food with a spoon.
Instantly things were better after doing those things.
What I didn't know at the time was that he couldn't digest dairy products. So if I had it to do all over again I would do the above and also switch to soy formula. I didn't switch to soy until he was almost 3 but it made a complete world of difference in all areas of his eating and behavior habits. Hope this helps you. Feel free to email me Good luck.

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V.B.

answers from Dallas on

This is tough for sure. I am sorry you are going through this but esp. him and the effect of not having a normal day or a good nap.
Have you tried Nutramegen formula ? Or going to soy or rice milk? Also no dairy for him yet such as ice cream, cheese or milk products.
Go to www.hacres.com and see about the ahlleluia diet for babies and children. He can start with avacado and bananas since he is having so much trouble with formula. As he gets older, you can steam veg. in microwave and puree in blender; freeze into ice cubes and store in ziploc bags marked. Then thaw and heat slightly and feed him like baby food, adding a few finger foods such as non-sweetened cherrios and baby veggie puffs. Brown rice is good and yellow and other squashes.
I hope a doctor discovers what is wrong but the website I gave you is excellent for babies and grown ups and has solved hundreds of eating a physical problems for over 40 years! Good Luck!
By the way- a choirpractor does and can do a lot of good for babies and yes they can need their back ligned up, etc. They helped my son with colic and my daughter gets her adjusted just to help them relax, sleep better and a lot of other things like headache and sport related sprains, etc.

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L.C.

answers from Dallas on

M.,
Craniosacral therapy can help this! Suzanne at Integrative Pediatric Therapy has helped MANY babies with this. You can google Upledger Institute to read more about it or call Suzanne or Sally at IPT and they can explain it to you. Also, be careful with giving your baby too many vaccines at once. That is VERY HARD on the GI system. You are smart to start doing someting about it now. If you can, go the holistic way for your child. I saw someone mentioned Chiropractor and the woman she mentioned is suppose to be great with this.
LC

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L.L.

answers from Dallas on

Have the doctors checked his intestines to see if there is maybe a crimp in it. My son had this problem and when he was nine months old they found that he had a bend/fold in his intestines.

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K.K.

answers from Dallas on

I know how frustrated you must feel because I went through a similar thing with my son. They called it "projectile vomiting." He didn't throw up every bottle but maybe one a day on average. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with him and they ruled out obstructions, etc. He gained weight and, in fact, was on the high end of the weight scale; but, when he threw up the bottle, I would fill it up and give it to him again. He didn't have colic, though. The doctor said that this was more common in male babies and that it involved something in his upper stomach that was not completely developed and that it would stop when he started walking around and was upright most of the time. And it did. It was really h*** o* the furniture, rugs, clothes, blankets, etc.

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D.P.

answers from Dallas on

have you ever heard of pyloricstenosis? it took my dr 5 weeks to figure it out. my son had surgery at 6 weeks and is fine..

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L.H.

answers from Dallas on

Give him baby probiotics, you can get them at Whole foods and put them in his bottle. My gtandson just went through this and it has stopped and he is a happy boy again. Good luck

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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

My first son was a preemie and we noted some similar problems with him, and it did take him a couple years to catch up in growing. Until things got better, we did let him sleep either in his swing or infant carrier (more sitting up) and that seemed to help SO much more than laying him down. Tiny Tummies from Babies R Us helped a lot with the gas and reflux (we actually would put a drop or two in the bottle before he even drank it to reduce the puking). Good Start was the only formula he could drink in the US (we found something in England while there that was great, and using the ingredients Good Start was the closest we came here, and it helped a lot). And yes dairy products are an issue for so many, especially under the age of 2. Soy (formulas, or in cereals, or cheese, etc) is a better option, though I personally don't like the stuff much...that's just because I am an adult in the milk habit. I would give that Good Start Soy formula a try. So sorry to hear about your baby....I hope he grows out of it! My son did, by the time he was 1.

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M.R.

answers from Dallas on

I really feel for you. I know exactly how you feel. My youngest had colic and acid reflux. Acid reflux was from 6 wks until 15 months. He was vomiting projectile everything he ate or drank. I finally tried soy formula which helped tremendously. At 15 min we had to give him Lactose free milk and now he is still Lactose intolerant/sensitive and we just started giving him rice milk and he has done very well.

I hope this helps. I would highly suggest it and would recommend Dr Baker which is a Pedi GI, We still see him for other issues.

Thanks and I hope this helps. I will be praying for you and your little one.
M.

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