The Baby Garden

At this stage in the game, the nursery becomes a place to feed and grow - basically a Baby Garden! This year, we're looking at a bumper crop.

Natalie's last weight I have is from Tuesday - 1162g (2.9lbs). She is still being feed on an on 2/off 2 hr schedule at 2,6,10,2... She's currently getting 17 ml per hour (34 ml in two hours). They will probably switch her to a 3 hour feed (1 on/ 2 off) soon. She started working with OT/Speech on Tuesday with some nippling (sucking on nipple top with milk dripped in open end). She's doing really well. She took 11 ml her first go! Yesterday (Thursday) she had her first actual bottle and drank 15 of 17 ml. We had her first "Lick and Learn" session today to introduce her to the breast. She did very well. She had already been awake quite a while but stayed alert and had a few good sucks.

Abigail continues to get bigger and bigger! Tuesday she weighed in at 1427g (3.233 lbs). She's on a 30min on/2.5 hour off feeding schedule at 12,3,6,9,12... They are now trying her with a bottle at least once each shift (3 shifts at D.Regional) and she's doing really well. She's basically taking a full bottle of 29ml. Tonight I'm hoping to try breastfeeding her a full feed, so we will see how it goes.

They really are doing well. At this rate I wouldn't be surprised at all if Abby is home by her due date of Aug 20. Natalie is a little behind, so she may follow a week or two later. It's very exciting to think we are so close. We still face the chance of possible infections (including NEC - don't forget our chant!), but if we can avoid all that, they'll be home very soon!