Sorry to post another AW vent type post but I'm so frustrated. LO has been on all oral feedings for about 10 days now. He keeps getting ready to come home and then has a feeding episode. They want him to go 5 days without and so far today is hopefully day 1 of the countdown. He's totally healthy and ready in all areas and still gaining weight, but these feeding episodes are holding him back. It's so frustrating because he's now 38 weeks GA, almost 7 weeks old. Speech therapist says he's still in the normal range and not to worry yet but I am worried. He seems too old to still be having these issues.
Has anyone else had trouble with feeding episodes? Or have an LO that took until due date to master everything and get released?
The same thing happened with my DD, only she had to go 3 days without brady episodes during feedings. It was incredibly frustrating! We were told a total of 3 times she would be able to leave because she'd make it to the third day...and then, of course, have an episode. She was about 38 weeks when we finally got her home. In order to do it though, DH had to make a scene and I had to stay overnight in one of their hospital rooms with her to prove I knew how to handle her when she had an episode.
One of the nurses told us that even full term babies sometimes have those feeding issues, but it goes unnoticed because patents aren't told to look for it unless their child is a preemie. I wouldn't worry if he is still having trouble. It sounds like you are close to having him home!
I'm glad to hear it isn't just us. We were originally told 3 days but he keeps having them on the third day so they now say 5 days to be safe. And with the episodes I totally know what to do. The nurses barely even peek in when they happen because I've got it under control.
Is there any way you can discuss it with the Doctor? Show them you know what you are doing? That seems extreme to me for them to change from 3 to 5 days. If that's the only thing keeping him there, then I don't see why you shouldn't be able to take him home if you know how to handle it.
Just my opinion, but I'm not a doctor...
Yeah I've asked and asked and they keep saying we need to wait.
Is there any way you can discuss it with the Doctor? Show them you know what you are doing? That seems extreme to me for them to change from 3 to 5 days. If that's the only thing keeping him there, then I don't see why you shouldn't be able to take him home if you know how to handle it.
Just my opinion, but I'm not a doctor...
Yeah I've asked and asked and they keep saying we need to wait.
I feel like preemie parents need to make a stink about things sometimes. We didn't have the length of stay you do, but the nurse practitioners just kept spouting off nonsense to me when I questioned Ds's care. When I asked for clarification, I got "this is how it's done." So infuriating that you can't (or won't ) answer a simple question. And we weren't newbies since dd also spent some time in the nicu... Unfortunately btdt
Post by theycallmekveld on Mar 9, 2015 20:01:15 GMT -5
DS took till his due date (and a little over) to totally master feeding. It was the last thing he was able to do. I know it's so frustrating :/ He will get there!!!
DS took till his due date (and a little over) to totally master feeding. It was the last thing he was able to do. I know it's so frustrating :/ He will get there!!!
Well Saturday marked 3 days without episodes and the hospital policy is 3-5 days. Luckily, it wasn't the strict doctor on call that day. Liam came home Saturday! Honestly, now that he's home and I'm relaxed about feedings, things are going great. He's had two instances that might have been episodes but recovered super quickly. And he's rocking his feedings, taking twice as much as he was in the hospital. Yay Liam!
Yay for being home! I missed this last week when you posted, but our biggest problem was the bottle feeding. It was so darn frustrating. Things were so much more relaxed when he got home! Enjoy having your little squish at home with you, congrats!
Congrats on Liam going home!! I've been so super busy with mine coming home that I haven't been able to check up on the forums. So happy to see he's home, it's the best feeling ever!!
I was able to have some success with using a nipple shield after my little guy came home. However, I had supply issues and he was a lazy nurser, so I mostly pumped and supplemented. I would suggest going to see an LC. She may be able to help you with feeding issues now before it becomes too frustrating. Good luck!
I was able to have some success with using a nipple shield after my little guy came home. However, I had supply issues and he was a lazy nurser, so I mostly pumped and supplemented. I would suggest going to see an LC. She may be able to help you with feeding issues now before it becomes too frustrating. Good luck!
He actually refuses to latch to a nipple shield. He latches to my nipple pretty well but then just sits there. Sometimes he sucks for a minute or two but then he stops.
Post by theycallmekveld on Mar 11, 2015 16:54:04 GMT -5
Oh, yay!!! I literally just cheered in my living room when I read that Liam was home. I scared my kids, so it was a double-win. SO SO happy for you!! No advice about bottle to breast because DS did formula, but best of luck with that transition!
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