NICU Day 9

I just had to log on for an update, even though I am about to fall over I am so tired. (Today, we decided no nap in the afternoon and to try and have a full day to mimic getting back into a routine.)

So... If last night was the worst of times, today was the best of times. We loved, no LOVED, all three of our nurses. This morning, there were 2 working in tandem and they were both just wonderful. Then tonight, another wonderful nurse. All of them were marvelous with the babies, whether they were intervening with them or just talking to them. You could see how much they cared for them during their monitoring and care. And they all were more than happy to include us in the things that we could do. It was great. Just great. And, as one commenter said, the nurses you dont particularly care for are the exception not the rule. I would say the majority of those we've encountered have been wonderful and that seems to be the rule. Last night, I think we just ran into someone who wasnt on the ball or was just overwhelmed. Which isnt an excuse in my book, but at least, if that was the case, hopefully she wont be reassigned to any children that need excessive care and they can keep her with healthier babies, for whom she might do better. We shall see. (Of course, deep down, I'm hoping she isnt our nurse again!)

Someone mentioned the pumping room for gossip... I've got to say- I've never run into another mom in there! Once, as I was going in, a mom and dad were leaving, but otherwise... It's a ghost town! There are two rooms and I've always been either alone or it's just been Peter and I in our little covered area...

So... On to tonight! Well, as of this morning, Maya has hit her birth weight (2lb5oz) and Bobby is only 3oz shy of his at 2lb10oz! Her feedings are now up to 12ml each and his are at 9ml each. She is doing better with her diapers but they think that once he goes to his tummy, he will do much better. (She's dirtying just about every one, whereas he is good to do 2 poo's a day). She is now completely off the lights! And they think they may take her IV/PICC out soon! They said they most likely will stop the lipids and electrolytes tomorrow and leave the IV in just to make sure they dont need it and then take it out in 2-3 days. WOO HOO!!! He is due to have his tummy line out by Thursday (which will mean some belly time!)

But the best news... Tonight when I held Bobby (Peter held Maya), we did non-nutrative nursing. For those that dont know what this is (and I confess, I didnt know until after they were born), this is where you give your baby your breast without the goal of feeding them. You express a little milk then bring them to your breast and go from there. It was just wonderful. I expressed while he was feeding and he licked, then began to suckle! It took him a bit to get his mouth around the nipple, but once he had, he wasnt letting go! After he fell asleep, I tried to move my breast (because, let's face it- it's bigger than his head!) and he opened his eyes, relatched, and then relaxed again, one little hand resting by his head. I held him in a cradle position like this for 45 minutes, then for the last 15 minutes moved him to the center of my chest, before we put him back in his isolette. I'll try this with Maya tomorrow.

It was just wonderful. I'm still on a high from it, even though I am so tired I know I will fall asleep as soon as I close the computer and take off the pumping apparatus.

Thank you for all the emails. I'm so far behind in answering them. I havent even opened most of them. Save opening the NICU emails each morning, I've been trying to catch up with blogs during the morning pumping before the hospital and then logging in at night after the hospital to give an update. I promise- I will get around to emails! And, for those IRL folks, I will, at some point, return phone calls. My phone is perpetually on no sound because of the NICU rules and I forget to turn it on, so it is late when I get messages. So sorry! I'm usually a much better responder!