Current NICU Moms and Babies Check In 11/27

[penguin129]

How are the current NICU babies and Mamas doing?

[penguin129]

Many hugs sent your way @sarahwithanh. I'm sorry for all the complications your little one is having.

[mandie]

@sarahwithanh he's so sweet. I hope the surgeries were successful and you start to get some positive news soon.

[penguin129]

@sarahwithanh Great news!!!!! He's looking good

[megrae12]

Nov 29, 2016 15:28:52 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

Check it out:
Little man is off oxygen and we are starting to talk discharge. Although as you all know that can change in an instant.

I want to love tit this a thousand times!!

[sahara78]

@sarahwithanh, he's adorable. Glad things are looking up after the second surgery.

[peaseblossom55]

@sarahwithanh, great news! I'm glad the second surgery went well and there is talk of discharge too.

[peaseblossom55]

Things are going well for E, as of last night she is 3lbs 15oz. She is on 3 liters of the nasal cannula. I believe when they said it was down to 2 we could begin to think about bottle/breast feeding. When we were there last weekend, they said to bring in clothes for her to wear too. So I've had some fun searching for preemie onesies this week. We really are taking things day by day which has been so much easier on us stress wise and avoids us getting our hopes up on progress or a discharge date.

[penguin129]

I'm happy to see this update peaseblossom55 I hope you will be sharing pics of her in the new clothes you bought for her.

[peaseblossom55]

Nov 30, 2016 19:06:16 GMT -5 penguin129 said:

I'm happy to see this update peaseblossom55 I hope you will be sharing pics of her in the new clothes you bought for her.

I will I hope I remember! ;-)

[peaseblossom55]

Nov 30, 2016 17:15:55 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

peaseblossom55 holy cow she is growing! I have seen preemie clothes at Target, buy buy baby, and babies r'us. Target they are mixed in with the other carter's stuff and baby stores teems to have 1 display. I'm a little jealous that you get to dress a little girl. I especially love all the bows. Also 2L is when we could do oral feedings. Good luck with feeds. How are you holding up?

I got some onesies at BRU and plan to go to target tomorrow. I've seen some at my local target.  Girls stuff is cute, I am excited to buy some clothes though because I have a ton of hand me downs from my sister, so it was nice to go out and buy a few things for her.  

That is what we were told as well 2L is when we can do oral feedings, I don't want to rush her especially if she is not ready but I really hope she is down to 2L over the weekend when we are with her.  

I am good overall just real tired.  Pumping is hard.   I go from being sad and missing her to being ok.  Any news on the discharge?

[peaseblossom55]

Nov 30, 2016 20:47:43 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

peaseblossom55 most likely Monday or Tuesday.

2L is standard as above that the pressure of the air is too high for them to safely eat. Is speech coming to work on feeding? They are awesome and can tell pretty quick if the babies are ready. It is quite amazing.

I HATE pumping. Its exhausting and frustrating. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle with supply too. I doubt I will continue for much longer. I joined an exclusively pumping group on FB and have found that to be helpful. Just know that whatever you get is amazing. I'm sorry that you are not closer to nicu. I can only imagine how torturous that is. Did you ever get set up with the Ronald McDonald house?

I am not sure what you mean by if speech is coming by to work on feeding... I can ask though when we call in next to see what the requirements are to start feeding.  I know one of the nurses said at about 33-34 weeks they begin to evaluate babies to see if they show sign of being ready to eat like sucking and rooting, which she has been doing.  

My supply is awful too, I am trying anything and everything possible. Nothing seems to help I get about 2 1/2 oz a day. I hope once I can start breastfeeding that will help and just having her home too.  I have a follow up with my OB next week for 6 weeks post birth, so I may ask about a prescription for domperidone.  I was set up with Ronald Mc Donald house we usually only stay on the weekends since my husband and I are both working now.  

That is so exciting that in a few days he will be coming home.  I am so so excited and happy for you!!

[peaseblossom55]

Nov 30, 2016 21:41:11 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

peaseblossom55 I don't know if it's standard or if it's because of his cleft, but Monty has worked with speech from the get go. I'm at a children's hospital and they have numerous on staff. They make sure they have a mature suck, swallow, and breathe coordination. He will probably always work with speech, but I think they evaluate most babies that are starting feeds for the first time and then go from there.

ETA: 2.5 oz all day? Do you want advice, because I can share what I have learned? My supply is actually pretty good. It's just eventually he wI'll eat more than I make and I'm plateauing.

We've met with several doctors but I don't remember meeting anyone from speech or hearing about that but it's possible she did and has been looked at by someone in speech.  

2.5 oz all day.  I would love advice.  Meanwhile I'm drinking lots of water, eating healthy, drinking gatorade too.  I am taking fenugreek 2-3 times a day, I also use mother's milk tea.  I massage before and after pumping.  i am waiting on my order of Motherlove More Milk Special Blend.  I have oatmeal for breakfast and add flax seed. I meet with my OB next week so I'm thinking of asking about domperidone.  If you have any other suggestions I am all ears.

[penguin129]

peaseblossom55 I'm happy to hear you have a room at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a great place for me. How many rooms are in the one you are staying at?

Pumping all the time sucks. Every little bit helps. Even if it is a drop. They did oral care on HL and would just put my drop in her mouth so she could get a taste.

[peaseblossom55]

Nov 30, 2016 22:44:13 GMT -5 penguin129 said:

peaseblossom55 I'm happy to hear you have a room at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a great place for me. How many rooms are in the one you are staying at?

Pumping all the time sucks. Every little bit helps. Even if it is a drop. They did oral care on HL and would just put my drop in her mouth so she could get a taste.

They also put drops in E's mouth of my milk. There are two in the city I am staying one has close to 50 rooms the other I think has 40.

[penguin129]

Dec 1, 2016 12:48:47 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Nov 30, 2016 22:44:13 GMT -5 penguin129 said:

peaseblossom55 I'm happy to hear you have a room at the Ronald McDonald House. It was a great place for me. How many rooms are in the one you are staying at?

Pumping all the time sucks. Every little bit helps. Even if it is a drop. They did oral care on HL and would just put my drop in her mouth so she could get a taste.

They also put drops in E's mouth of my milk. There are two in the city I am staying one has close to 50 rooms the other I think has 40.

What city and house are you I'm? PM me. I would love to try and set up the Mom Gift Bags I'm making for my local Ronald McDonald House to yours. Id I can get enough fundraising and donations.

[peaseblossom55]

Dec 1, 2016 13:40:42 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

peaseblossom55 stress is probably affecting you. Which is so hard. The things I have found to help are watching videos of Monty while I pump. Hearing him and seeing him helps. Some say bring a blanket so you can also smell your baby.

Logistically this is what I do:
I wear a hands free bra (I get more with it in then when I forget)

I pump 6x a day every 3 hours. If I skip even 1 session my supply is affected. I do not pump overnight but that is highly recommended if you can manage it. (BTW I don't know how you pump and work)

I pump for at least 20 minutes each time bUT try for 30. I keep going 5 minutes after the last drop.

Lastly I've seen a huge increase with adding a power pump. For my first pump i pump for 20 minutes, stop for 10, pump for 10, stop for 10, pump for 10, done. So 40 minutes spread out over an hour. I've done that most mornings this week. Some women do a mini power pump every time by skipping the last 10 minute pump.

Ultimately though your baby is fed and taken care of. Try to let yourself off the hook.

I watch a video of E a well, and go through my pictures of her too.  I have a blanket of hers also.

I use the hands free bra as well, I don't know what I would do without it.  I pump every two hours and I usually go about 20 minutes per session.  I really need to try the power pumping.  I've heard so much about it, I am usually so sore.  I may try it tomorrow since I have a day off.   Thank you so so much!

[peaseblossom55]

Dec 1, 2016 14:56:43 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

peaseblossom55 if your really sore there might be something wrong too. Don't get me wrong it doesn't feel great but it shouldn't hurt much. When I was getting really sore it was either a clogged duct (so hard to relieve) or I had the machine up too high. I also had to use lanolin more often. Now it barely hurts unless I hot the cold air right before a let down. I feel better after pumping too not worse. Is their a lactation consultant at your hospital?

I speak with the LC every time I am with E. I had a clogged duct earlier this week but I think I have another one. I am massaging and constantly doing hot compresses too. I read on Kelly mom lecithin can help I am getting some tomorrow.

[peaseblossom55]

Dec 1, 2016 15:07:53 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

Dec 1, 2016 15:04:54 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

I speak with the LC every time I am with E. I had a clogged duct earlier this week but I think I have another one. I am massaging and constantly doing hot compresses too. I read on Kelly mom lecithin can help I am getting some tomorrow.

You are on top of things! Yeah I had several clogs and one was very stubborn. I feel like the LC assaulted my boobs getting that thing out. She said heat before, cold after, and lecithin. I haven't had another one.

I want to be able to BF and I want this all to work so badly. I've been doing my research and keeping on top of things as much as possible.  Glad you haven't had any more clogged ducts.

[peaseblossom55]

Dec 1, 2016 15:52:20 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

Dec 1, 2016 15:14:16 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

I want to be able to BF and I want this all to work so badly. I've been doing my research and keeping on top of things as much as possible.  Glad you haven't had any more clogged ducts.

I really hope it works out. Just know if it doesn't it's not your fault. I was upset when I found out M wouldn't breastfeed. I'm here for anything even just a vent session.

Thank you so so much! I am a stubborn and determined person, so I hope it works, but what matters is that she is fed and happy.

[peaseblossom55]

Ughhh this thread turned in a whole thing about my boobs and pumping, so so sorry everyone!!!!

[peaseblossom55]

Dec 1, 2016 16:02:00 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

Dec 1, 2016 15:59:06 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Ughhh this thread turned in a whole thing about my boobs and pumping, so so sorry everyone!!!!

I don't mind. I feel like pumping consumes my life. P.s. I type this as I finish pumping.

it is life consuming. I just finished pumping too.

[peaseblossom55]

Dec 1, 2016 18:54:19 GMT -5 @sarahwithanh said:

Oh peaseblossom55 I count MLs instead of Oz because it makes me feel like it's a larger amount.

I sometimes do it depends what bottles I am using to collect.