Premature Baby?

Juzzo, I use to get really upset because I wasn't bonding with Jacob. It took a good 3 months (after he got home) before I really felt like I was bonding with him and all that time I felt like the worst mother ever (I bonded straight away with my first son). I tried BFing but Jacob didn't have the energy (with his heart and chronic lung), so he was offered the bottle but was very orally sensitive (probably because of all the tubes etc he's had in his mouth and doctors forcing a dummy in his mouth to keep him from crying while they were examining him). Jacob had a gag reflex at his lips!!!! So he is 100% tube feed. Instead of trying to get him to drink from his cup, we are focusing on feeding him solids. We have managed to push the gag reflex back, but he is still very sensitive to lumps of food in his mouth.

If the NGT is going to keep Harlow out of hospital because of weight gain, then I'd do it. Jacob is also on Duocal and seems fine with it (he's on maximum dose). What RJ suggested seems like a really good idea. Have you got a Speech Language Therapist working with you?

RJ, I HATE tube feeding too....but when its the only option......lord knows I've spent hours and hours trying to get Jacob to eat and drink.

I wouldn't cut out Millas milk when she reaches two. My oldest son is still getting milk, either by bottle or cup and I don't see any negatives in giving him milk.

Gosh, MIlla was little when born, she looks so good now, hard to believe she has had such a rough start to life.

Totally understand why you would give up, its hard work expressing.
Fingers crossed it wont be for long

Yeah I know NIkki,and hard to believe she is so sick - but we are average now!! in the 50th percentile
I dont know how you cope - i know you dont have a choice, but I just know what a bloody hard slog you put in - supermum!
I should kick myself everytime I think god Im over carrying this baby - I certainly dont want to be back there - any sort of care is not an option this time I want an easy babe!!

Justine - these are baby legs: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Baby-gear/Clothing/Pants-overalls/912-months/auction-282520881.htm

we got a phone call on day 101 asking if we wanted aidan home the next day on oxygen and feeding tube, I was shocked and said yes sure, however when I got to the hospital I was approached by his ped who said the person who rang and asked me that had no right and it isn't her place to ask or say that! (it was one of his nurses who rang me)
his pead said since she makes all the decisions in reguards to Aidan's care he will not be leaving the hospital on oxygen or feeding tube, so after another 2 long weeks we came home, no oxygen and feeding every 2 hours some ridiculous amount of 40ml or 50ml - couldn't get a drop more into him. a week later he kept setting his aponiea monitor off and turning blue so was re admitted for another week and he was put on oxygen.
then yeah another week a couple o months later when he got sick. but nothing since (apart from when he was in for his operations)

RJ what was wrong with her heart for her to need surgery?

Thanks for that Tastic, will investigate those leg warmers!

I've said I don't want him at home tube feeding but it looks like it's going to be quite some time before he gets his act together and it appers to be the only long term solution right now. It's just so frustrating. I know I'm incredibly lucky as he's healthy in every other way, I just have to keep reminding myself.
Trish, what formula did you put Aidan onto?   I know we've discussed the low birth weight one before but the paeds drs here won't prescribe it as he's aparently too old for it????   So they've recommended he go onto either Karicare AR or Karicare Gold as they have the most calories.

He was put onto the s26 low birthweight one and when that ran out we put him onto the normal s26 one which is the exact same but not as many calories etc in it. his pead change his dose to 1 scoop to 50mls not the 60mls that was on the tin, this way he worked out much the same as the low birth weight formula
the low birthweight we got till he was 6 months old on prescription so I don't think he is too old! you should ask again and get them to apply for it as if you get accepted the prescription is really cheap (we got like 24 tins for $1.00!) - the tins are half the 'normal' size though

no problem, I hope they give it to you!!!

Rj - poor girl! you have been through alot!

I thought Aidans heart valve 'problem' was big but I guess it wasn't that big in the end, compared to some of the lady's in that thread!