Wednesday 11/19/14

It is mind boggling to me that I put a bottle to Ava's mouth and she doesn't know what to do with it.  You would think that natural instinct would never go away.  But her mind doesn't automatically suck, swallow and breath like most babies. She lost that ability being so sedated and paralyzed for three weeks.  So with the Speech Therapists help I am actually trying to teach her this life skill. 

To clarify, the only tube on her face is actually the NG tube- a feeding tube not an oxygen tube.  When I feed her through a bottle they give me small amounts to try- anywhere from 10-40mls (30mls is one ounce).  Sometimes successful others not so much.  The rest of her milk then gets fed to her through the feeding tube so she still gets the nourishment she needs.

The end goal is to get to her "full feed" level by mouth.  At this weight that would be 75mls by mouth every 3 hours (about 2.5 ounces).  The total feed must be completed within 30 minutes otherwise she is using more calories trying to eat than the feeding is giving itself.  Some of the nurses say the process of relearning to eat is like a hard sports practice to them- I believe them after I see how much she sleeps afterward.  A lot even for a baby!

A couple people have asked about Ava's "stats" as far weight.  As of one month she is actually just above her birth weight, birth weight: 8lb 10oz and now: 8lb 14oz.  The doc explained they only view her as 10 days old because this is how long ago she was taken off the vent.  In reality her current weight would make sense for a baby that was 10 days old- they loose a little bit then gain it back.  They will look for her to gain about an ounce every day going forward.  I haven't checked her height in a while- that will be on the list for tomorrow.  

So as far as Ava's progress.  Weening still going strong but this feeding thing is throwing her for a loop.  To top it off, she definitely has reflux to.... I got covered today and Loretta, her Nurse, did as well.  She even had to change clothes! 

Regardless she is beautiful!  

I was able to see Ava's Big Brother's today!  My Mom brought them up and the Ronald house sent us to the Shed Aquarium for a couple of hours.  Ryan sounds so sweet saying "feeeeish" when we walked up to every tank and Mason was taken by the stingrays in the big tank!  It was so nice to see them!