Well, just as well I reminisced about the institutional syndrome yesterday as it seems that, just like that, out of the blue - our institutional period might be coming to a rapid close...
At 08:00 this morning when we arrived at the hospital, what happened but the unthinkable??
Luka's feeding tube was removed!!
The emotion that washes over you when they remove that tube, and you know it is not to 'change' it, or because he yanked it out again, but rather (hopefully) for the last time, is indescribable. To see his precious little face without the tape covering the whole cheek is overwhelming and humbling at the same time. I couldn't help but think of all the hard work and perseverance it took on his part to keep trying with the breastfeeding, despite his young age.
In addition to his tube removal, this morning Luka also had his first 'field trip' outside the Nursery. We got to take him down the elevator to the x-ray department for his last cranial ultrasound, which came back normal. At the moment, he is lying on his daddy's chest in the same chair, in the same corner of the nursery, waiting for the ophthalmologist to do what would be the final screening before we can move into the ward together.
I explained that Luka had been on 'demand' feeding during the day for the past two days - that is when he has to feed by himself (breast/bottle) during the day, with gavage (tube) feedings only at night when I am not here. If he can prove himself by gaining weight after a few days, they usually consider the baby and mom 'rooming-in' together for a few nights to see whether he can continue to gain weight if purely on breastfeeding, kind of like a breastfeeding sleepover party. The first day of 'demand' feeding, Luka stayed constant on his weight, so while he didn't gain anything, more importantly, he didn't lose anything. Then yesterday, our little man drank himself a whole 40g heavier! Thus, the good news today that we are ready to 'room in'!
We are cautiously optimistic, and bearing in mind that he is young to be doing this (only 36 weeks gestation today), but we are positive that he and I can figure out this overnight feeding bit like we have everything else. Since his cues for hunger and desire to feed remain very subtle (i.e., he does not yet fuss or cry) I am sure I will be sitting up most of the night watching him closely for any of these...but, in a word, we are CLOSE!
Watch this space...
At 08:00 this morning when we arrived at the hospital, what happened but the unthinkable??
 |
| Luka gets his feeding tube removed! |
Luka's feeding tube was removed!!
 |
| Mom and Luka after this amazing milestone for both of us |
 |
| Chris pushes Luka out of the Special Care Nursery for the first time |
In addition to his tube removal, this morning Luka also had his first 'field trip' outside the Nursery. We got to take him down the elevator to the x-ray department for his last cranial ultrasound, which came back normal. At the moment, he is lying on his daddy's chest in the same chair, in the same corner of the nursery, waiting for the ophthalmologist to do what would be the final screening before we can move into the ward together.
I explained that Luka had been on 'demand' feeding during the day for the past two days - that is when he has to feed by himself (breast/bottle) during the day, with gavage (tube) feedings only at night when I am not here. If he can prove himself by gaining weight after a few days, they usually consider the baby and mom 'rooming-in' together for a few nights to see whether he can continue to gain weight if purely on breastfeeding, kind of like a breastfeeding sleepover party. The first day of 'demand' feeding, Luka stayed constant on his weight, so while he didn't gain anything, more importantly, he didn't lose anything. Then yesterday, our little man drank himself a whole 40g heavier! Thus, the good news today that we are ready to 'room in'!
 |
| Luka having his final cranial ultrasound to ensure there are no bleeds on the brain |
We are cautiously optimistic, and bearing in mind that he is young to be doing this (only 36 weeks gestation today), but we are positive that he and I can figure out this overnight feeding bit like we have everything else. Since his cues for hunger and desire to feed remain very subtle (i.e., he does not yet fuss or cry) I am sure I will be sitting up most of the night watching him closely for any of these...but, in a word, we are CLOSE!
Watch this space...
Yay! what a milestone indeed...well done on the super breastfeeding efforts! its NOT easy with a full term baby, so hats of to making it work with the teeny one...the co-sleeping/feeding takes time to settle...just go with the flow and take the zombie days (sleepwalking) in your stride...they pass all too soon xxxx
ReplyDelete