Hannalee's Back Trouble

At the beginning of summer Hannalee started throwing major fits in the car seat. She was excited to get in the car and happy to help us buckle her in. But seconds after she was buckled she would cry and wiggle around kicking her legs and arching her back. Just going 2 miles to church was nerve racking. So, much to my better judgment I agreed to let Bob turn her car seat forward facing. But it didn't help one bit. Hannalee didn't care that there was a new view, she was still throwing major fits. I borrowed my friend's 5 yr. old daughter to sit in Hannalee's car seat to feel if there was something in it that was poking her. But she said it felt great. We borrowed a friends car seat to see if she liked it, but the same behavior was displayed.

Not long after the car seat fits started she started crying and throwing fits in strollers and her high chair. Then the most bizarre of them all, she started arching her back and crying in her swing. (If you know Hannalee, then you know she would prefer to spend hours swinging.)

There had to be something going on. So we asked her what was wrong. It took many days for her to finally show us that something was bothering her in her back. We tried putting padding back there, but nothing helped.

After two months of this I decided to take her to the doctor. He did a thorough check up, pressed all along her back, moved all her joints, the works. Not once did Hannalee complain or wince. So the doctor ruled that she was trying to manipulate us to get her out because she didn't want to be in. But I can't agree with that. She wants in and when asked if she wants out she says no.

So we went to another doctor for a second opinion. He did x-rays. Again they found nothing. (But frustratingly I never got to talk to the doctor after he did the x-rays to ask him more questions. I only got a bunch of nurses who had no idea about the visit. One nurse called me back and said, "The x-ray looks OK. If the constipation continues come back in for a check up. Constipation! We didn't come in for constipation. Getting through to doctors can be frustrating!)

Hannalee in her gown waiting to get x-rays.

So we are stumped. She is getting a bit better. We bought her a different car seat that doesn't lean her back so much and she doesn't throw as big a fit any more. She does constantly put her hand behind her back the whole car ride and some times will whimper, "Back hurts." Poor girl. We just don't know what to do.

Such a cool girl, but notice the arm behind her back?