Progress on the Feedings

The doctor ordered a consult with a speech therapist for the girls’ feedings. The pathologist came and watched how the girls were feeding and listened to their sucking and breathing techniques. She quickly saw a problem with the way the girls were trying to feed. They were both sucking well, too well in fact, that they were getting overwhelmed and that is why they would shut down or go to sleep during their feeds.

She suggested laying the girls on their side rather than trying to hold the girls upright to feed. She also wanted the nipple to only be half full when they fed so they wouldn't get overwhelmed with milk in their mouth making it hard to breathe. Once we tried this with Addison, she quickly caught on and did over 30ml with me feeding her. Riley did better as well but she is too eager to eat and has trouble remembering to breathe. She did about 15ml of quality feeding though.

Later on the nurses called me after I left to say that Addison did her entire bottle on her own. She did all 50ml through the bottle and was very awake the whole time. Riley did about 20ml. I think my girls are really making progress and should start getting the hang of things soon. The doctor thinks they will be home in about a week and a half or 2 weeks at the most. I am very excited and very nervous for them to come home. We finished the nursery and got all their clothes and toys put away. I still plan on putting a few things on the walls but at least they have a clean place to come home.

Tomorrow is bath day and I will get some good pictures of Addison's bath since I missed her last one while she was in the ICU. I hope both girls continue to do well with their feedings. Addison is less than 1 ounce away from 5 pounds and Riley is over 4 and half pounds. Both are consistently gaining weight. I am so proud of them both.