So what goes into Will's weight gain?
Feeding is obviously an essential part of the NICU experience. Babies born to the NICU are fed in a variety of ways depending on their gestational age and ultimately their development stage and overall health. Some babies receive nutrients through a TPN (total parenteral nutrition, which is supplied via IV) while others receive breast milk through methods such as a bottle, syringe, syringe pump or through breast feeding.
Will currently receives 34 milliliters of breast milk (fortified with extra vitamins that add 24 calories) every 3 hours via syringe pump (on 11/26/2008 he was receiving 2 milliliters every 4 hours). The pump releases breast milk slowly over one hour, helping reduce reflux issues that often face premature infants. The pictures show the process of removing a food tube from Will's nose and replacing it with one placed through his mouth. A part of the NICU feeding process involves checking milk residuals from each feeding. During hands-on the nurse will withdraw through his feeding tube the contents of Will's stomach using a syringe. The left over milk is measured and recorded. This "used" milk is then added to the new dose and readministered with his feeding. The used milk can actually aid in digestion. See picture.
This week Will began learning to feed by breast. Babies do not develop the sucking/breathing/swallowing skill until about 34 gestational weeks of age; Will's age as of Friday. The first couple of tries resulted in exactly what the lactation consultant (or lactologist as Mark says) said would happen--he latched on, took a couple of sucks and then stopped for a bit. He then took another couple of sucks and stopped again. During this practice time, the nurse delivers his milk through a feeding tube so that he associates his belly filling with nursing. Will still needs to figure out what happens when he sucks and learn that he must work for the milk. This is a huge step for him. It is also good for us as it allows Nichole to take on more of his care.
Feeding is obviously an essential part of the NICU experience. Babies born to the NICU are fed in a variety of ways depending on their gestational age and ultimately their development stage and overall health. Some babies receive nutrients through a TPN (total parenteral nutrition, which is supplied via IV) while others receive breast milk through methods such as a bottle, syringe, syringe pump or through breast feeding.
Will currently receives 34 milliliters of breast milk (fortified with extra vitamins that add 24 calories) every 3 hours via syringe pump (on 11/26/2008 he was receiving 2 milliliters every 4 hours). The pump releases breast milk slowly over one hour, helping reduce reflux issues that often face premature infants. The pictures show the process of removing a food tube from Will's nose and replacing it with one placed through his mouth. A part of the NICU feeding process involves checking milk residuals from each feeding. During hands-on the nurse will withdraw through his feeding tube the contents of Will's stomach using a syringe. The left over milk is measured and recorded. This "used" milk is then added to the new dose and readministered with his feeding. The used milk can actually aid in digestion. See picture.
This week Will began learning to feed by breast. Babies do not develop the sucking/breathing/swallowing skill until about 34 gestational weeks of age; Will's age as of Friday. The first couple of tries resulted in exactly what the lactation consultant (or lactologist as Mark says) said would happen--he latched on, took a couple of sucks and then stopped for a bit. He then took another couple of sucks and stopped again. During this practice time, the nurse delivers his milk through a feeding tube so that he associates his belly filling with nursing. Will still needs to figure out what happens when he sucks and learn that he must work for the milk. This is a huge step for him. It is also good for us as it allows Nichole to take on more of his care.
That is so clever - giving him a feeding tube while he is breastfeeding so that he associates suckling with satisfying his hunger. You have a good "lactologist."
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