Today Nathan is 5 weeks old. He now weighs 5 lbs 2.5 ozs. Those cheeks, tummy, arms, and legs are filling out nicely and he is changing so much.
Over the weekend they stopped his caffeine (another baby step forward) and he is currently at 42 mL of milk.
WARNING TO MEN: The two paragraphs below contain female information you may not want to read about breastfeeding. This is for the ladies who are interesting in knowing how his feedings are going. You may skip to the bottom to view photos of Nathan.....or be brave if you wish to read the following. End of warning! :)
Nathan has been nuzzling with me since last Wednesday. He gets to nuzzle one to two times a day now. When we first started nuzzling, I would pump before nuzzle time so he could just get familiar with what to do without the milk (and he had a pretty good idea). Now I pump after we nuzzle so Nathan has the opportunity to nurse and get as much milk as he can on his own.
Over the weekend they stopped his caffeine (another baby step forward) and he is currently at 42 mL of milk.
WARNING TO MEN: The two paragraphs below contain female information you may not want to read about breastfeeding. This is for the ladies who are interesting in knowing how his feedings are going. You may skip to the bottom to view photos of Nathan.....or be brave if you wish to read the following. End of warning! :)
Nathan has been nuzzling with me since last Wednesday. He gets to nuzzle one to two times a day now. When we first started nuzzling, I would pump before nuzzle time so he could just get familiar with what to do without the milk (and he had a pretty good idea). Now I pump after we nuzzle so Nathan has the opportunity to nurse and get as much milk as he can on his own.
Yesterday his nurse gave me a nipple shield to try and see if Nathan would be able to latch on better. It's not that there is anything wrong with me, it's just that he is use to sucking on a pacifier during his feeding (to associate sucking with getting a full tummy) and not familiar with me yet. The nipple shield really helped him latch on and he did a great job sucking, swallowing, and breathing. He received at least 2 mL of milk on his own from nursing yesterday and at least 5 mL today. The nurse can measure how much he took in by pulling back on his feeding tube with the syringe. What a big boy, huh?! Over time we can graduate from the nipple shield to the real thing. It sure takes a lot of energy out of him. He can be active for a good 10 to 15 minutes but after that he is sound asleep in my arms.
***SAFE FOR MEN NOW!***
Here are pictures from today at 5 weeks old.
Little flirt!
He has outgrown this hat, it would not stay on anymore. Instead of fighting with it, he now has bigger one on (not shown).
"Look at me, I'm getting so big! I wasn't finished going potty when mommy changed my diaper so she had to put on a WHOLE new outfit (all three layers)! I just wanted to wear my new football onesie!"
"See Grandma Campbell, my legs are filling out!"
What a precious little cutie! I am so glad that he is doing so good with nursing. We went through the same mile stones with Baby Zane and it makes me cry tears of joy that you are to this stage. Keep praying and trusting in God and He will carry you the rest of the way. You are really nearing the end of the hospital stay. You will have him home before you know it. We will keep praying for you and please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you (meals or anything). Love, Heather
ReplyDeleteNathan is looking so good in his little football onesie! I'm glad that he is eating so well and catching on to things. I'm sure you are enjoying the open crib. It will be so much easier to watch every little movement that he makes now. Wow--5 pounds! The boys weighed 5 pounds at birth and they were only in the NICU for 14 days. He will be out before you know it!
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolute Angel!! He has changed so much and has obviously done some serious growing since birth. Blank is an awesome environment and I am glad you're there. Soon your family will be at home together and as time goes forward you can look back with amazement and forward with the wonder and anticipation that only children can bring. What a true gift from God; and remember, He only gives the very BEST. Happiness to all!!
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