After one false start, the ng tube is gone! It is possible that it will have to be put back in, but we are giving it a trial run to see how he does with ad lib feeding. So far he’s doing pretty well. But poor baby is really gassy and clearly has an upset tummy. The two aren’t related, but it is too bad his first day of all oral feeds is also a day he doesn’t feel great.
Not much time to update, I want to get back to the hospital.
Yesterday they were on the verge of pulling the ng tube. He had gone from 36% oral feeding to 76% in just a day or two. And he was waking up starving before his scheduled feeds. So they were going to put him on ad lib feeding, which would mean pulling the tube. But the over the course of the day and night they had to gavage (feed through the tube) partial feedings several times. So we are going to go back to the every three hours schedule, with a minimum of 35ml, and me still weighing him before and after nursing. But if he wakes up between feeds starving, they will still offer him a bottle, because starving the kid is clearly not good. I think the amount he takes orally depends partially on the nurse on duty, and how much is going on. I think some nurses are more willing to try, or have more time to try. Also, breastfeeding wears him out. So he is going to be nursing and then I think the plan is to gavage the rest, so he isn’t using too many calories just to eat calories.
This kid loves nursing. The nurses and doctors have commented that he seems to like nursing way more than the bottle. Woo!
For the most part Lorelei is doing remarkably well with all of these transitions.
My time in the hospital was difficult for her. She was happy during the days when things were “normal”, but broke down each night when she had to leave the hospital. The longer I stayed the more comfortable she became there, which was not necessarily a good thing. She got restless and a little too comfortable.
Rowan passed his hearing test yesterday. He also tentatively passed the eye exam. The vessels are still immature, but there was no evidence of ROP at this point. He will have to have a follow up exam in a few weeks.
This is one of those moments where Zach and I just looked at each other and realized we have two very awesome kids. TWO!