Suck reflex? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Suck reflex?

522
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 15:46

For all you mummy's (esp preemie mummy's...) when did your LO's suck reflex kick in fully? My LO has just hit 34 weeks gestation and we're struggling to get him to suck properly/ effectively/ with any stamina. He's still in NICU and we're working on the bf-ing, he'll latch well, suck for about 15-20 mins before he's tired. He's not overly impressed with the bottle and will barely take half a feed from the bottle (if that) when I'm not there overnight... I'm now going to be spending even longer hours at the hospital (may as well move in) to aim to remove the feeding tube at some point in the next week (as he does not seem to be a bottle man but a boob man)... am so tired! At this point, they're still topping him up with half his requirements per feed via his feeding tube.

Just want an aim... a goal to work towards!

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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:56
Woooo-Hoooo!!! Indeed the best news I've heard all day. Go Jackson and go mummy's boobies! Can't wait to hear that you are home and all together as one big happy family. Excellent!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 21:12
Well, he certainly is a boob man isn't he? Best piece of news I've heard all day. Good for you meals and hopefully Jackson will be back home in no time. xxx
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 19:51
Hooray! Wonderful news! xx
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 19:42
Fabulous. What a good boy (and mum).
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 18:36
"DOUBLE LIKE" xoxoxoxo
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 17:59
Quick update - my little champion is going really well! :D We did our 24 hour trial "rooming-in" and he managed to put on 10g! Great news... which means I have ducked home this arvo for more clothes and supplies and I'm back to hospital today for my "real" rooming-in and fingers crossed, 48 hours of that and we're all home finally together as a family! I have spoken with the NICU Dr's and nurses who ALL find it very unusual to have a preemie baby that doesn't like bottles! He's gonna be a mummy's boy! :D **[b'>LIKE[/b'>** All the best Meals x
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 16:54
Yay - well done you both! Good luck over the next couple of days - really sounds like it's working and in a way v good for when he comes home he'll have no transition in feeding as well. Everything crossed you're all together soon. xx
522
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 15:20
Quick update - my little champion is going really well! :D We did our 24 hour trial "rooming-in" and he managed to put on 10g! Great news... which means I have ducked home this arvo for more clothes and supplies and I'm back to hospital today for my "real" rooming-in and fingers crossed, 48 hours of that and we're all home finally together as a family! I have spoken with the NICU Dr's and nurses who ALL find it very unusual to have a preemie baby that doesn't like bottles! He's gonna be a mummy's boy! :D
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 January 2011 - 10:44
That's fantastic - it sounds like he's stating his preference and knows what he wants! Hope all continues to go well and you get him home soon.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 January 2011 - 10:05
That is great news Meals! I think the doctors' strategy is spot on too. Hopefully you'll both do well and he'll be ready for discharge within the week. xxx
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 January 2011 - 02:40
Thanks LD - wonderfully... my DS fed really well today and had some good suck feeds off the breast - the proof will be in the weight gain tomorrow morning I guess. But the Dr's have come to the conclusion that he's definitely not a bottle lover either - So they want me to stay in for 24 hours and do a sole breastfeeding trial and see how that goes and how he goes with weight gain over that period and assess intake then they can assess whether he'll be ready for discharge... will be strange having a baby in my room in hospital - almost like a normal post-delivery stay! :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 January 2011 - 21:32
How did it go today meals? Thinking of you and the little one. xxx
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 January 2011 - 09:54
Also want to add that both the paed and LC I've been seeing for DD confirm that feeding issues are not uncommon in babies up to even 35 to 36 weeks. They actually see a lot of babies at that gestational age for such problems, so what you're going through with Jackson is quite a common problem actually, but hopefully should resolve itself in time.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 21:31
Hi meals, you and Jackson are both doing an amazing job. I agree what the others have said. Some babies do really well with the whole sucking/breathing/swallowing routine while others take longer. I know this time is hard for you especially when you miss the "normalcy" of your family. But what you're doing is exactly what it'll take to bring Jackson back home sooner rather than later. Trust me on this, you'll soon be back to your normal, mundane family routine sooner than you know it. Till then, just take one day at a time. xxx
522
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 20:32
Thanks ladies - from my perspective I feel like the Dr's and nurses in the NICU are so determined that by 34 weeks he should be doing full suck feeds from the bottle/ breast etc. I know there are a few babies they've had recently who suck beautifully and are discharged at 34 weeks - I'm trying to do as many breastfeeds as possible (tomorrow trying 5) but as they're 3 hours apart and we live a good 30+ mins away from the hospital. So there's no point or time to come home between those feeds without turning around an hour later. - I'm going to be there from 9:30am till 10:30pm to try and encourage this feeding and I feel they are aiming a little high for his gestation and development (and running me into the ground as a result). Obviously all babies are different and those that feed really well at 34 weeks are doing great - but my man obviously isn't quite as determined... Finding it hard to balance the home/ hospital life and my two DS's are being very neglected by their mummy. I realise this is just short term and they're loving their Daddy time and aren't really too upset with my lack of attention and time - but I am! I'm missing my two older DS's and missing being at home and missing the mundane things in life. How do I avoid being exhausted when the expectation is to be at hospital for that length of time?!?!? I can't work it out! <em>edited by meals on 05/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 16:42
Hi Meals, You're doing so well to be at the hospital that much and if he's feeding for 15 mins at 34 weeks then he's doing really well too. Just wanted (I hope) to reassure you a bit. My DD2 is home from NICU relatively recently (came home end October, born end August at 27 weeks). She was tube fed until a shade under 35 weeks and although I tried to feed her once myself earlier she didn't have the stamina for it - she also struggled to co-ordinate the sucking/breathing/swallowing. I then fed her twice daily at 35 weeks but only for a short while and she came home at 36 weeks. After that she took to it hugely and is still bf. So it might just be that he is about to reach the gestation where they get stronger and able to suck more successfully. I was really worried about the feeding (I know it's the biggest concern) and when she came home was advised to offer her the breast, then bottle, then express. Like you I have other children (one DD) and that's tricky to manage timewise. Luckily it didn't take long and she then started to BF completely but only once she was really at term (37 weeks). Even babies born at 36 weeks can be slow to start with. When I saw your posts I meant to send you my email to see if I could help as I had the whole NICU deal until recently. It's [email protected] - if there's anything about NICU, coming home, feeding etc I can help with let me know. Most important, don't exhaust yourself - and get some sleep. I've found with DD once she found her groove she's a hungry critter and more tiring to feed than my first daughter - cluster feeds more etc. Take care of yourself - you're doing amazingly Jenny x
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 16:15
Meals you're a star! Your son is so lucky to have such a determined, loving mama. Every baby is different; some preemies "get it" relatively early, but for many preemies the magic date is actually their due date. Around this time, something seems to click and feeding becomes much easier for them. In the meantime, even if he's not getting much milk, kangaroo care and lots of lovely cuddles are so important for him (and hopefully you are enjoying them too! And they will be stimulating your milk supply at the same time). Non-nutritive sucking is an important stage of learning to breastfeed for a preemie, and I'm so glad you two have this opportunity. Do you have the support of an IBCLC at the hospital? Hopefully you are getting some good information and advice from them. Thinking of you and little Jackson. xx
 
 

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