The Tipping Point: A Story of Reflux, Reflection and Redemption

 A baby’s scream. A carseat toppled over on the ground. A panicked mothered shaken in fear.

No, this wasn’t the scene of car accident. This was the floor of a warm, carpeted bedroom, where a baby was put to nap while his mom dozed off.

A strong, restless six month old who woke up and rocked himself back and forth until the carseat tipped over.

I was quick to grab him, but the mere seconds of the incident left me in a state of shock, fear, shame, and guilt.

Car seats for napping: This is what parents of reflux babies do when they are literally run to the ground, so their child can be elevated and possibly sleep. That’s what comes up when you search for reflux solutions. That's what your colleague says they did with their baby. That’s what I did because I thought it was the right thing. Turns out it’s wrong, very wrong. 

According to CribsForKids.org, in step with the AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines, "If an infant falls asleep in a sitting device, he or she should be removed from the product and moved to a crib or other appropriate flat surface as soon as is  practical. Car safety seats and similar products are not stable on a crib mattress or other elevated surfaces."

It doesn’t seem real as I share it to this day. In fact maybe two or three people even know this story. It represented the breaking point in what was a chaotic blend of life's duties, sleep deprivation and desperation.

Even if the situation doesn't require hospitalization or constant medical attention (sadly it does for so many), there are other serious risks and issues beyond the illness that surround reflux, colic and more. They are to be taken seriously even when others won't. 
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The gravity of parenting isn’t in making your mistakes and learning from them. It’s when you are truly giving your all, doing all you believe is right, and everything can still fall down around you. 

Our only hope is to find strength through serving something far beyond ourselves. 

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