The Deep End

A First

Nicholas has taken all of his bottles for the last several days but today there was a first: he spit up.  His nurse said it was okay because he hardly ever burps when we try to burp him and this time he just happened to spit up when he did burp.  She did not seem worried and she guessed he spit up about 10 ml. 

Nicholas has only had 1 spell today.  His nurse attributed his bad spell yesterday to the versed he was given for the MRI.  She said Nicholas was probably very relaxed by the versed and that could've been why he wasn't able to bring his sat back up.

Nicholas' oxygen is currently at 75 ml and is turned up to 175 or 200 for his feedings so he won't tire out.

A Little Relief

Nicholas had his brain MRI today and we are very happy to report that nothing is structurally wrong with his brain.  All this indicates is that there is nothing major wrong with his brain.  He could still have learning problems down the road but they won't be able to detect that for a while (years). 

Nicholas is also taking all of his bottles very consistently too.  It took all 30 minutes this afternoon for him to take his bottle but that could've been due to the MRI and him not getting as much rest as usual.  He has also been having desats that we were not aware of.  A couple of them required stimulation or more to get him to respond.  Nicholas can't come home until those types of desats stop.  It could be that the cafcit is wearing off but they can't be certain yet. 

Up to 4

Nicholas did well with his bottle last night, this morning, and this afternoon.  He took all 85 ml in his bottle this morning and last night and a little over 70 ml this afternoon.  He will be getting 4 bottles starting today.  His schedule will be at 4 and 8 am and pm. 

4 for 4

Nicholas has taken at least 72 ml or more in each of his last 4 bottles!!!  He took 85 ml from the first 3 and 72 ml from his last 1 at 4 this afternoon (the minimum he has to take is 70 ml).  If he takes 70 or more tonight from his 12 o'clock bottle then he will start getting 4 bottles tomorrow.  Dr. Harlan said Nicholas could be home as soon as 10 days but we think that is a little too optimistic.  We think it will probably be more like 2 weeks just because he still has to be taking 6 bottles and of course they will be back to back and that will require a lot out of Nicholas. 

Nicholas will also be getting his RSV shot next week on either Monday or Tuesday.  He will probably get circumcised next week as well.  

Due Date

Nicholas is having another up and down day on his bottles.  The past 2 days he's taken 33 and 34 ml from his 8 am bottle and 85 ml both days from his 4 pm bottle.  Both mornings he was upset that he was woken for his bottle but in the afternoons he was wide awake and eager to eat.  Both of his nurses today said that maybe 4 pm is "his time" of the day and that's why he does so well during that time.


His feedings have been changed once again.  Nicholas will be getting 85 ml and instead of being fed at 8, 4, and 8 he will be getting fed every other feeding (8, 4, and 12).  The plan is to go straight to just bottle feeds after this transition.  If he takes 70 ml from his bottle during each feeding he won't have to get any from the tube.  We are assuming that the ot will work with Nicholas during his 4 o'clock feeding because she will be there from 3:30-12 and that would be the only time he gets a bottle during that time.

Nicholas currently weighs 8lbs2oz



FYI, this was the day Nicholas was originally supposed to be born (1/27/12).

A Very Good Sign

Nicholas took 60 ml last night and the occupational therapist was there to show us some stretches we can do to help Nicholas.  She also helped stretch the nipple of the bottle when it was clogged and made suggestions as to when to change the way he was sitting/lying. 

Nicholas took 33 ml this morning from his bottle.  He wasn't very awake and that was probably the main reason why he didn't take very much.  His nurse also said he could've gotten too comfortable in his mommy's arms. 

Nicholas took 85 ml from his bottle this afternoon!!!!  The most impressive thing is that his oxygen wasn't turned up prior to him getting his bottle.  I was aware that no one had turned it up but I just wanted to see if he really needed that extra support and he did not.  One of his previous nurses said that when you go down or up an additional 25 or 50 ml it doesn't make a huge difference and that is the main reason why I wanted to see what would happen.  He had no desats and didn't really get tired until the very end  (30 minutes).

Nicholas' feedings were changed from 80 to 90 ml but his doctor today wrote it for 90 ml.  Nicholas' nurse thinks he wasn't aware of why they made the change and it should be corrected.  Dr. Harlan also said it is very possible that in the next few days they increase Nicholas' bottles to 4.  Once he is consistently getting 4 a day then they go straight up to 6.  His amount given through the tube will also vary once they establish how much he can take with each bottle.  For example, if Nicholas consistantly takes 60 ml then that will be his minimum not to get anything form the tube but if he takes 40 then he would get 20 from the tube.