36 weeks

Today little man is 36 weeks, 4 weeks until he is supposed to arrive.

Today he had his first little try with a bottle, and oh my goodness, he sucked like he was in an orphanage with twenty other babies fighting for the last gulp. He gulped so fast and so quick he was giving himself braddys and having to recover, poking his tongue out all over the place, then falling in a heap exhausted after not knowing what to do with all the milk he was trying to swallow. At his gestation, he is still learning how to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time. Not a person around has any doubt he will be a fabulous feeder, once he gets the coordination of it all.

I got upset and had to hold back some tears when the nurse gave him his first bottle. I think it was because I couldn't do it, as well as the fact he was having a bottle and not the breast. Obviously because I am not staying here with him overnight he will have to take a bottle at some stage before coming home, but it was a big step and he was so good at it. I was also concerned he may prefer the bottle over the boob, but I have been advised it will help him to develop the muscles he requires to be a good breast feeder. It is also a similar texture to the nipple shield, so hopefully to him it's much of a muchness, with the bottle just being more of an instant gratification thing.

Weekly physio session today, merely another observation with some tips for strengthening and control. In such premature babies, the main concern is Cerebral Palsy. The physio however, is very happy with Jensen and says he has good strength, flexibility, and head control. She was very impressed with his head movement and control and also that he can bring his hands together (little cutie looked like he was praying). Apparently next week, he's having a go in a chair....not sure what that's about, but will find out I guess.

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