given any specifics because I guess it depends on the girls' growth
and we can't predict how they'll do.
But one of the main reasons they aren't home is supposedly because
they aren't "nippling" all their feedings, supposedly because they
aren't waking up to feed. But as soon as we are here, the girls wake
right up becuase we start to change their diaper, take their temp and
uncover them so they arent so warm under the covers. Then as soon as
they hear our voices they start to root. And then they feed for at
least 15 min.
We were noricing that with some nurses, the girls made progress and
were feeding more and we would get more calls to come because they
were awake, but other times, the girls would just be fed through their
tube.
One of the more with-it nurses told us yesterday that she predicted
they'd be home this weekend and said her goodbyes cuz she was off
shift for the week. Then we came in today and another nurse said it
would be five more days. I was so frustrated!!!
So we made a big stink and asked for the pediatrician to meet with us
and tell us what specifically we were looking for, (besides the three
things) for example in determing whether they were awake enough to
feed. Do they need to wake up on their own? If not, can simply
uncovering them work as a wake up device? Does it have to be right at
9:00 pm or can we wait a little longer to see what their schedule is?
Do they need to be crying? In everything we've read, it's not great to
wait until a baby cries to feed them because then they are irritated.
Your supposed to look for earlier cues like rooting, hand flapping,
eyes open, etc.
For example we came at 7:30 tonight and the nurse hadn't called and
when we got there, she said they hadn't moved and were still sleeping.
But Charles looked at Annabelle and saw that she had pulled out her
feeding tube!!! Now is that a sleeping baby? I think she pretty much
told them how it would be working from now on! And then she went on to
feed for a total of 30 minutes.
So I camped out at the hospital today in the guest room and have been
on them like glue to remind the nurses I am here and to make sure they
are giving the girls a proper chance to wake up and eat off the breast/
bottle before they stuff things down their tube...
Soon... Soon... Breathe.... :-)
4 comments:
deep breath!!! I know it's so frustrating, but it will all work out.
Comment to all the latest postings:
Fabulous writing, Amy - such talent. I'm trusting these will all be saved and archived, and of course shared with the girls later. Or perhaps printed and done as a scrapbooking project, no doubt.
You're doing all the right things. Reading, studying, communicating, learning, questioning, and even asserting. Stay on top of it, as I know you will..in so much of everything, it seems the only way things get done and done right.
It won't be long!
Hang in there!
Amy ~ I have always admired your "Take the bull by the horn" attitude! I am thrilled that you are able to stay at the hospital, and "nudge" the doctors and nurses, when needed. Yes, keep asking questions . . . Soon, you'll be feeding your beautiful babies in that amazing rocking chair of yours!
Sweet Amy... I know that it's so hard to wait to get them home! Like Louanne said... DEEP BREATH! Trust me, you want them to be fully ready when you put them in their car seats and take them home. I'm so excited that you are a mom! Love you.
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