Day 6

Last night when I went to see Alison they were taking her iv off. I guess it wasn't working properly again (nice, right?) but the nurse talked to the pediatrician and asked if she needed a new one or if she could go without one. They said to try it without and she has been fine.

They put her back under the lights today. She had a really good feeding this morning with me at 9 and tested her levels after and determined she was a bit above where they wanted her. We determined last night that I would go in for 2 feedings with her and they would use a bottle with my milk and/or a tube through her mouth for the other feedings. The tube allows her to get food even without having to be awake. She is struggling with endurance right now. She will have a really good feeding with me, but then she is so tired and three hours later at the next feeding she can't do as well. So the tube lets her get more rest so that she can do well at the next feeding. It's also nice so that I don't have to go in every three hours-exhausting! They asked me if I was okay with the tube feeding and said that it sounds like we're going backwards, but the lactation consultant thought that in the long run it would help her, so I agreed.

Today I had the nurse call me before 3:00 pm to see if she seemed awake and ready to eat. The nurse called and said she was really awake, so I went over and she had another really good feeding. So we will just slowly work up the feedings. One nurse said that if she keeps up eating so well she will be able to go home! So that's what we are working for. She is doing better and better each day!