8. Lethargy: The Zapped Energy No Nap Can Fix
Lethargy in a baby affected by pyloric stenosis is like a muted TV in a noisy room—it’s there, but you barely notice it until it starts affecting your daily life. You know something’s off when the playful giggles and excited coos are replaced by an overwhelming quiet. The once lively baby seems drained, almost as if someone pulled their plug.
You’d assume that a tired baby is a sleepy baby, right? Not quite. This isn’t about your baby needing more sleep. The lack of adequate nutrition and dehydration means that the baby’s energy reserves are running low. It’s like driving a car on an almost empty tank; it moves, but the performance is compromised.
Let’s paint a broader picture. The lack of energy isn’t limited to physical activity; it extends to cognitive functions as well. Babies learn a lot in the first few months of their lives; every single day brings a new lesson. But what if the energy needed for this cognitive processing is absent? We’re looking at a stall in the baby’s mental development.
Taking it a step further, let’s talk about the mother-baby bonding experience. Imagine trying to interact with your lethargic baby. The eye contact, the reciprocal smiles, and the touch—all these form the foundation of attachment. A lethargic baby might not respond as expected, and that can be heart-wrenching for parents. It’s not just about missed milestones; it’s about missed connections.(8)
