The breast day ever

Today little man is 11 weeks old. We are feeling like we are almost on the downhill slide to making our way home....or at least across the hall to HDU. I'm grateful we live so close to the hospital, as I'm sure trekking a further distance to the hospital, there and back daily would add to our exhaustion (as we experienced in Westmead). Some of the parents come from far places like Cronulla, Liverpool, and several from the Central Coast. The twins from Liverpool were transferred back last night. I assume like most other hospitals, they can only care for babies 34 weeks plus, and I figure they are at or around that age now. They were also moved to make way for the triplets that arrived last night... It's now a full unit again with four new admissions yesterday.

Little man had his dressing removed over the weekend, so can now enjoy his much loved tummy time again. The scar is barely visible and just looks like a wrinkle from his nappy. Mummy doesn't even get a churn in her tummy every time she looks at it...only when she thinks about it.

Jensen has started back on his vitamins today to help with his liver. His blood test has shown his liver to still be functioning a little abnormally. This, the doctors think is from prolonged use of TPN, and now he has had another week or so on it for the operation, it has shown up again. It hasn't got any worse, but hasn't got any better either. Also the antibiotic that he has been taking for the candida can influence the levels of liver function in a blood test, where it is actually the antibiotic giving a false reading rather than the liver. Due to the most recent test for candida coming back clear, they have now ceased the antibiotic. When bubs have any intravenous lines in they are also given this antibiotic as a precautionary measure as fungal infections are so easily passed on. Now that he has had the long line removed (as of yesterday, because he is on full feeds again), he has also stopped the precautionary dose.

Calories have begun again today, although in the form of an oil rather than the fortifier. As this caused a blockage in his bowel, the doctors have had to come up with other ways of fattening him up quickly. As he can't have the fortifier, he has to start having phosphate. This helps with bone density, development, and calcium intake as the oil doesn't contain this like the fortifier does, and preemies need a little assistance in this regard.

I have left the breast for last....oh sorry I mean the best. Yesterday little man had his first little go at breastfeeding. Apparently he was a born natural. The first session for the little ones is mainly a familiarisation session where they have a little nuzzle and lick just to get them interested and understanding that's where the good stuff comes from. But no not Jensen. He latched on and started sucking his little heart out, impressing all the nurses. Again today he had a good go but was a little fidgety as he was hungry and a little tired I think. He performed well in front of the lactation consultant who says he'll have no trouble feeding. His mouth and tongue were in the right position when feeding, which a lot of bubs don't figure out for a few weeks, especially at his gestation. Don't we just have ourselves such a little superstar in so many ways....

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