Luka looks like a different baby, right? He's definitely looking more and more like a healthy baby every day. He's been moved out of the 2nd floor NICU, and up to his own little NICU penthouse on the 7th floor with the "growers and feeders". According to his doctors, the PPHN disorder is no longer in his system. But now he has to get stronger and grow more before he's healthy enough to come home. He developed jaundice, most likely from being on IV fluids. But it's not clearing up as quickly as they think it should, so he's scheduled for an ultrasound on his liver and gallbladder for Monday. Hopefully it's just his system trying to work it out, and nothing too serious. Another issue is that being preemie and also from being so sick before, he cannot mouth feed enough to sustain himself yet. He can eat a teeny bit by bottle, then it wears him out and he falls asleep. If he tries to eat for more than 20 minutes or so, he will start to burn too many calories, so they have to tube feed him at that point. According to the nurses and docs, this is pretty common for a kid in his position. We keep trying, though. He'll get it soon. He did latch on for breast feeding, but the same situation applies. After a few sips, he gets too tired to continue. Poor little guy. He's had a hard life so far.
So now we are waiting for him to put on some weight, learn how to eat on his own, and find out if his liver and gallbladder are okay. We don't know when he will be coming home yet, but hopefully pretty soon.
My favorite part about this post is that he latched on successfully! Way to go Luka. Some new healthy babies have trouble with that, especially if they're not able to go at it right away. That is huge! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting those bilirubins down. Halen had jaundice too, and it took awhile to kick it, but he's fine now.
Luka is so beautiful and look at that little smile. He knows he's pulling through and going home soon.
He's beautiful, and it's so wonderful how he is growing and getting healthier every day. Greg was jaundiced when he was born too, but it went away. I think it's fairly common for newborns of all stages. I will keep you all in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLatch = awesome!
ReplyDeletehe's a fighter, I hope you can bring him home soon too!
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty exciting that he latches on so easily. I think he's going to be a super breast feeder when he's ready for mouth feedings all the time.
ReplyDeletesending you lots of love!
ReplyDeleteox
kittee
Love seeing his little eye open! Go Luka!
ReplyDeleteso happy that Luka is getting better! he is very adorable! best wishes!
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