Went to visit Shalom and saw that he's a happy contented baby. The nurses even 'complained' he poops alot which is a GREAT sign! That means that his body is expelling the bilirubin (the stuff that's causing the jaundice) and the toxins so that he can get back to normal. He's no longer the screaming, angry, hungry and frustrated baby. We had a difficult time initially when he first came home with us because he was really a very tough cookie to handle. Then we realised what the problem was.
We were about to return home when the nurses had a change in shift. One of the 'fresh' nurses who was about to start her duty came over to speak to us and shared that Shalom had difficulty in sucking, especially when he was first admitted. He didn't know how to suck, so he wasn't getting his milk. Worse was, I didn't have enough for him. The nurse realised that instead of sucking, Shalom was chewing the bottle's nipple. She even commented she didn't know how I survived the first few days. I never knew he had a problem with sucking. I just thought it would be painful initially, but never thought that it was a real problem. Anyway, she explained that the nurses had to coach him to learn how to suck and he's now very successful! :) Initially when he was first admitted, he only drank about 1/3 of what he's taking now. Now he's much rounder, beefy and fairer! (Before that he was losing weight and very red and angry.)
Really thank God for his hand of protection on Shalom (even from us)! Thank God that there was intervention in time to correct what needed correction even though we didn't 'detect' any problems. Also thank God that Shalom isn't distressed in the hospital, like how he was at home. Also thank God that his bilirubin levels have been steadily dropping, and for GREAT LOVING nurses at Mt E neonatal ICU. They have been excellent. Shalom isn't red, screaming and angry anymore! :) In fact, he's one of the better behaved babies in the NICU :) heh. :) Also thank God that the routine that we were 'wishing' for (didn't have the strength to help him establish after going through stresses from all sides) is now established by the nurses! :) Shalom wakes up every 3hrly (almost to the dot!) to take his milk. Thank God for everything, for bearing our burdens when it gets difficult to bear.
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2 comments:
Audrey,
just to share in Athena's case- she had early jaundice, ordered to be under the more severe lights all times except when BF. She suckled well, my colostrum + milk came in well and early, it's sometimes just like that (possibly blood group reason too). She also stayed on in hospital w/o me so I know how u felt :( .
As for not being able to suck from bottle- same thing. She didn't know how, after learning latching- needed alot of effort.
I suspect next hurdle wld be re-teaching latching after being used to bottle. We had serious problems after discharge. Put it this way, my mum knocked my door in tears cos she tot K and I were together strangling Athena in the room or something.
Hope everything goes well! :)
Glad to hear he's all right now. God is great. Take care!
biatch
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