WAYYYYY behind on the blog! So much has happened. I can't even separate the events for each day of the past week, I'll try:
Wednesday - Sunday, December 30-January 3
No big changes these days .....just gaining weight, respiratory and heart rate numbers are looking good. It looks like he is getting better at coordinating these bodily functions. That means one step closer to breastfeeding (he sucks on a binky like a champ now) and getting out of the incubator and into an open crib. All that he needs to do to accomplish that is regulate his body temperature.
Craig, do you have any updates for these days? I have to stay up on updating this blog. The events of the days escape me.
OHHHH one huge thing is we get to hold Wyatt more then just kangaroo care now. This is great! We end evenings with a second hold, book and a song. It may sound corny but we love it.
Monday, January 4 BIGGEST DAY EVER
Wyatt turns 34 weeks (gestation) today. We arrive at the hospital and what do we see NO NASAL CANNULA and NO FEEDING TUBE! Wow now we can really see Wyatt's cute little face. He apparently does not need the low pressure low dose oxygen anymore. They still gavage feed him (feeding tube). They just slip the feeding tube in for every feeding and take it out. They do this with the babies that keep pulling their tube out.
Second surprise of the day I GET TO BREASTFEED! I was figuring I would be able to because he turned 34 weeks and hoping today was the day. So of course I decide to couple kangaroo care with his 4pm feeding. Mom and Dad Sauer came for a visit and were amazed at Wyatt's growth. Mom was also thrilled she was going to be there for my first time breastfeeding.
How did my first time breastfeeding a preemie go you ask? Not so bad....especially if you have a miracle worker lactation consultant by the name of Charlene helping you. She knows how to latch a baby on a breast that's for sure. It is slightly nerve wracking breastfeeding a baby because they are soooo small, they come with all these IV, lines, wires and attachments, and you have to be aware of their vital signs the whole time. I know I will get the hang of it. Cross cradle position is what Charlene's recommends for holding Wyatt. This is supporting the baby's head and body with the opposite arm of the side your feeding him from. Not hard the hard part is the positioning of the other arm and hand. Wyatt was a natural at figuring out what he has to do....me on the other hand.....
Monday means bath time annd weigh in. Nancy (another nurse we really like and is a 25yr veteran of the NICU) asked if we, "ever gave Wyatt a real tubby yet." We said, "No, because we thought his IV / PICC line has to be out of his arm first." She says, "There is no reason why you can't. We just have to cover up his arm with the IV in it." So she proceeded to wrap a diaper around that arm. "Plop!" Wyatt is sitting in a dish pan for his first tubby and LOVES IT. Totally warm, calm and relaxed. Again Craig challenges me to guess his weight. Nancy joins in on the fun. His last weigh in he was 1,345 grams. All that I remember is that Craig and Nancy guessed his weight gain to be on the low side. I said, "1,385." Both of them poo pooed my number saying it was too high. 1,375!!! was his gain......I think Craig and the nurses will leave the weight gain guessing to the moms.
Tuesday, January 5
Second attempt at breastfeeding and I am going to try it without Charlene. Didn't go as well as the first day but eventually I was able to do it. Our nurse that day gave some pointers that were different then what Charlene recommends.....I did not like this nurses methods. To make the whole situation more tense and frustrating Craig (I LOVE him more then anything) proceeds to tell me ways to breastfeed and said I should get Charlene. "Charlene is not here today....I can't get Charlene." Ugh, this is just something I will get in the rhythm of doing with Wyatt.....we have to find our groove.
Wednesday, January 6
Craig had to leave this morning for home. Take care of business and haul a load of stuff back to our house which will make the trip back home easier. Crazy how much stuff you accumulate in a short period of time.....well of course holidays and baby shower gifts add to the load.
Days at the hospital without Craig seem to be a little more draining. I am not sure why. Breastfeeding (coupled with kangaroo care) went well today. Wyatt is a pro. Get him in the position and his mouth is wide open. Only thing is he fell asleep so I had to change him into a different outfit that wasn't so warm. Charlene was in nursery D assisting all moms. Finally I had my light bulb moment with breastfeeding. Charlene showed me the correct position for the arm that is on the same side Wyatt is to feed on. AHHHH now it all makes sense. I love it after he feeds because he totally passes out during kangaroo care. Very peaceful.
The evening bath routine went well but no tubby just a sponge bath. I guess every nurse does things differently. This nurse didn't want to do a tubby because of his IV. Can't wait until that thing comes out. They say sometime this week because he is off the supplements and being weaned off a sugar water like IV.
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2 comments:
look @ those cheeks! they're really filling out - can't wait to pinch them:)
@Leah - I just said the same thing about his cute little face when I saw his pictures! Jess, I can't wait to hold and breastfeed my little one. So happy for you all that things are going well!
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