This morning, Mom took Loki to the pediatrician for a quick visit. The doctor recommended completely breast feeding, every hour to hour-and-a-half. That's a lot of work, so we are still using some bottles, but without NeoSure supplement.
Today and last night, Loki was somewhat less fussy and crampy. This is partly due to his altered diet, and partly a result of the different antibiotics, which are also given at a different time. But we are also better learning his body's rhythms and reactions.
However, he still has a lot of reflux, in which some of his food comes back up while eating. So, feeding is a slow process, with lots of breaks.
This is not all simply getting to know a new baby. Much of this behavior is a result of his prematurity. In general, preemies have difficulty regulating themselves. For example, a preemie is more likely to sleep through his time of hunger instead of waking up. And they have a harder time eating, which involves the coordination of suck, swallow, breathe.
Tonight I wish to thank all of our local friends who have helped us with the details and logistics of the recent crazy months. We are grateful that people here have been making us food, helping with our responsibilities, and giving us useful gifts, including lots of our baby supplies. Big kudos to you all!
Untitled (written 8/30/2008)
5 months ago
3 comments:
Dear friends,
It is great that you get to try out the breastfeeding full(er)time! It may seem like a hassle right now, but will be ever so rewarding once he will get the hang of it and you settle down more. Like you mentioned,finding and establishing a rhythm is hard, which must also count for Loki. As much as we experimented with food, our kids always had their clear opinion about how confident they were (or not!) with their own biological clock. If I look at the right column of your blog I realize how much has changed over the past two weeks and it means adjusting and trying to keep breathing. Wishing I could visit you like I did, it was so much fun!
Kisses for everyone. Kyra
Lieve Lijn en Jesse,
Wat fijn dat Loki thuis is. Veel goede energie en kracht rond de zorg voor hem. En veel vreugde met elkaar!
Richard, Circe, Sosse, Meike en Jermo.
Wow, he is really, really cute. But I know this time is so hard, and yes, the prematurity issue complicates everything. Thank goodness he has parents who understand what a struggle regulating yourself is when you had to start taking in the world early. A doctor once described babies born early, or with other issues as it to me as little ones who wear down their brake pads from having to use them so much--so stopping, starting, slowing, speeding up, it all gets much harder. Thankfully, we humans can regenerate our brake pads...and every moment spent peacefully nursing, laying in your arms, wrapped up tight, soaking in a wam bath, just BEING AT HOME will help. But he looks so wonderful, and so alert and observant--it really is remarkable given just how early he was and all he has been through that he is looking so good. Hang in there, you guys. Today, after spending his first two years really struggling around self regulation, frustration tolerance, not sleeping through the night, my now 12 year old has to have me WAKE him up as he loves to sleep in...so someday, hopefully sooner rather than later, you will get some rest.
Cheryl
Post a Comment