So this morning I got on Skype to my mom, the unofficial foremost authority on Vitamin C. She told me that children can have 1 gram of Vit.C per year of life in 24 hours without any complications. As Ameli is 2 months (today) I crushed 1 gram and divided it in to four piles of 125mg. Administring Ascorbic Acid to a baby who has had nothing but Rescue Remedy and breast milk is not a pleasant experience, for mother or baby, but sometimes love has to be tough. I mixed the first dose with 5ml water in a syringe and slowly dropped it in her mouth.
Half an hour later her terrible cough had subsided, and she stopped crying.
I ran a warm bath and let her kick around for a while, which worked wonders,  – I even got a smile out of her – before we curled up together under the duvet wrapped in just our cozy bath towels. I administered another helping of Vit C, before we both sank in to a much needed two hour sleep.
Ameli slept for a little longer, and I was so pleased to see that her breathing was easier and she seemed so much brighter. I called my mom again, and was pleased to report progress.
After another feed, Ameli started chocking and coughing again, and I decided to rub Vicks VapoRub on my chest and let her rest against me for a while. It seems to have helped clear her airways, which I’m so happy about.
Well, between the Vitamin C, Vicks and Rescue Remedy, my sweetheart has slept a good few hours now, and although it’s almost 1am anyway, I think we’ll have a good night’s sleep ahead.
The reason I am sharing all this is simple. It’s been a hard day. A hard 24 hours in fact. I’ve not slept much, and I’ve felt heartbroken, and sad. And yet I sit here with heavy eyes and I feel proud. And honoured. And privileged. I know there is a time and place for medicine and doctors, but today I haven’t needed to trust someone else to make decisions for my baby, but have listened to my instincts, and I am proud of me because I know I’m doing what’s best for my little girl. It really is tough, this parenting thing, but this has been my first real challenge, and I feel like I have passed. And I feel honoured and privileged.