Friday June 14, 2013

I started getting nervous about leaving today. I wouldn't be discharged until Sunday- but it was hard enough not having my baby in my room with me let alone knowing that I had to leave her here at the hospital when I went home.

Quinn was still on the IV TPN, but today (Friday)  she started getting 3 ml of my milk every three hours. She had a feeding tube ( a very small one) down her throat. Until the CPAP comes out they couldn't put it down her  nose. She did not like this tube and pulled it out several times.

They start the feeds so small to make sure the babies can handle digesting the milk- Quinn has done great. Before every feed they check for residual in the stomach. Only one time did she have any residual- they gave it back to her with the next feed and it was gone! Today(June 22) she is up to 31 ml every 3 hours- that is a huge increase!!!

This was exciting for us, and it made me feel like I could do something for my baby. If you knew me when Harper was born, you know that I am a huge advocate of breastfeeding- I love it and I think it is such a special thing to do for your baby.  I know that it will take longer this time- but I am determined to get Quinn exclusively breastfeeding (unless I am away/at work). I am pumping every three hours around the clock. This involves a lot of washing and sterilizing of pump parts and bottles. Thankfully we were able to rent a hospital grade pump. Todd has been a HUGE help with this- it is WAY easier to just nurse the baby- no cleaning or sterilizing involved!! I told Todd I can't imagine how hard and overwhelming the whole pumping situation would be for a first time mom who didn't have experience breastfeeding and or pumping. It is a lot of work. I just set my alarm and think of it as nursing the baby. I am so glad I had a positive experience with breastfeeding before. I don't mean that to sound judgemental in any way toward moms who didn't or don't breastfeed- I believe everyone does the best they can for their child- but for me it was so important and I am determined to make it work again! The NICU is very PRO breastfeeding. In fact, if there are moms who don't want to breastfeed or can't for some reason, they use donor breast milk unless a parent declines. It is just SO good for babies- especially preemies. I will definitely be donating to the human milk bank this time around.... Let's just say that one nurse said I was producing enough for the whole NICU :)

Adding the feeds was big news for us- and they continued to decrease the amount of oxygen she was getting- but she did still have the CPAP for the pressure.  We continued to get to hold her which is the best thing ever- when we are outta here I'm not sure I will ever out her down!!

Harper is so excited to be a big sister! Todd and I think that she thinks it is normal for babies to be in the hospital when they are born. But, she is starting to ask when baby Quinn can come home. I wish I knew the answer too.

Slo tiny and sweet!

She really is longer than the Sophie! Her legs are just swaddled up!

Tiny feet!