The new goal in Edmund's corner of the NICU is to be home by daddy's birthday, which is next Wednesday. According to our wonderful doctors and nurses, that would be fast. However, it's possible, and they're doing everything they can to help us.
Yesterday Edmund's methadone was weaned to 0.2ml every 8 hours (He was on 0.3 every 8). It's being weaned every other day, and so far he's not really had withdrawal. Tomorrow it'll likely stay at 0.2 but go to every 12 hours. Then Saturday 0.1, and hopefully he'll be completely off by Monday!!
We are continuing to nurse. Yesterday went well, with Edmund nursing well about 5 minutes or so each of the 3 times we tried. Yesterday he also went up to 25ml in the bottle attempts. Today we're nursing as often as I'm here and he's ready. After the first 5-7 minutes and a burp, apparently the edge of Edmund's hunger is satisfied and he looses interest, seeming content. At his noon feeding Nurse Jacky and I convinced him to carry on and we got a total of 15 minutes of nursing in!! He's been sleeping ever since:) When I'm not here to nurse, he can now take as much as he's willing to from the bottle. For his morning feeding before we got here, he apparently took 40. That's almost 1/2 his prescribed feeding!! Really, there's no limit on him anymore. We know he can suck and swallow, so it's just up to Edmund how fast he takes over.
Dr. Whitman said that they like the babies to be off the feeding tube for a few days before they go home to be sure they continue to eat well and are gaining wait. He can be doing any combination of nursing and bottle feeding; he just has to be doing it. So.........I know it's lofty, but I'm hoping that by the end of the weekend he'll be taking all his feeding via nursing or the bottle. Then the beginning of next week will just be maintaining that!
God has been so faithful. Whether or not we make it home for Daddy's birthday, we continue to praise the Lord.
Dennis, Heidi, and Edmund
2 comments:
Hey! Keep up the great work. It is just a matter of time now, I am sure. Hope the feedings continue to go well. Maybe he's just not that hungry? Hope you are doing well and enjoying the snow!
I am so glad to hear that nursing is going so great for Heidi. When you plan to nurse then are not able to in the beginning it can be hard. I am so glad Heidi has stuck to it and keeps pumping and now nursing. Edmund is getting the very best and i am sure that is helping him a lot!!!!! Thanks for all the updates! I love to read them everyday.
Hey how much does the little guy weigh now? I am sure he has lost some since birth but have not heard if he is back to birth weight or not?
With our prayers and Love, The Koedykers
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