Feeding Issues holding us back from going home

Sonny312

Another feeding post...

Anyone been really close to going home and then apnea spells during feeding holding them back? The last 4 days have been such a rollercoaster for us, Im exhausted. One day our 36 adjusted LO will do fantastic on his feeds, and the next day he cannot get the breath,suck,swallow pattern down and has apnea spells. The nurses keep telling me that one day it will just "kick in"... I just somehow have a hard time believing when it works one day and doesnt the next... any advice? 

kloc2006

My daughter did the same thing. We thought she was about to come home, and then the day she turned 36 weeks, she had the most bradys during feedings ever. We were so discouraged.  (2 1/2 years later I still vividly recall the exhaustion.)

One thing that helped us--my DH and I spent the next two days at the hospital doing 7 of the 8 daily feedings.  We brought in different bottles. We tried different nipples. We worked on pacing. And it really does just click. My daughter came home at 36 wks 5 days.  

I hope it clicks for your little guy real soon!  Sending lots of thoughts and encouragement your way!  He will get it! 

  

Pips09

We had the exact same problem. She was finally discharged on an apnea monitor, specifically because of her apnea/brady episodes while feeding. I was really scared to feed her and always fed her in bright light so I could watch her color. Luckily, we never had a problem once she came home. The nurses were right, she just "got it" one day. You will make it through this.

Sonny312

Thank you for sharing your stories! They had to put his feeding tube back in last night because he was so exhausted. Its actually a relief to me right now because it was so awful to watch him fight through his feedings with all the A's. He is resting for 2 feedings today and then we are back at it... I am looking forward to when it "clicks" soon!

paige0328

I also had a hard time believing that it would finally just "click" one day - but it really does! We would have a great day, and then a bad day... I thought we'd never get there. He'll do it! Hang in there!

lemen99

For several weeks, yes.  He finally got it and came home 3 wks after his due date.  (His issue turned out to be silent reflux.)

 

hugs!

JeepersWife

Happened to us, too. DS was scheduled to come home by mid week one week, but that previous Saturday night he had a recorded apnea episode and our plan fizzled before my eyes. We talked to the docs and after watching his feeds for a couple days and discussing the fact that the often had episodes related to feeds and reflux, they allowed us to go home on a monitor. Ask!

GeauxTigers82

I think you just wrote the post that all preemie mom's experience! This exact thing happens to so many preemies (all of mine had this issue). It's so frustrating! With my first, I would get so frustrated, just as you are now. With my #2 and #3, I just expected the feeding/apnea issues and didn't even bother to try to predict or get too excited until I knew for sure they were coming home. Otherwise, I felt like I would just get my hopes up, and then they would have a bad day, and another set back.

The nurse is right. It will just happen! I know you're probably tired of hearing "it just takes time," but it's so true. It will happen!