It takes a lot of energy and patience (on both babe and parents) to learn to feed and take in enough calories needed to sustain his weight and his hydration. Emmett now weighs more than some babies weigh when they are first born....and he is only corrected to 38 weeks gestation. Thanks God for chunky babies.
The doctors are happy with his weight gain, but unfortunately weight gain is not his ticket home. Emmett has to prove to the doctors that he can maintain his weight by taking 75% of his total intake BY MOUTH......not by feeding tube. Emmett has always been on his own schedule, and on behalf of Ryan and Kirby please, please, please, PRAY that Emmett will be able to reach this goal and come home soon.
Tomorrow is a big day because Emmett's mom was able to convince the doctors to give Emmett a chance to prove that he will eat. Part of the problem with being in the NICU is that Emmett falls in line with all of the other preemies who must eat every 3 hours or they will loose weight and become dehydrated quickly. Kirby and Ryan are the only ones who have been by his side consistently for he last 6 weeks, and they are confident that Emmett will be able to reach this goal as long as he is able to wait and feed when he is ready (within reason of coarse). So tomorrow Emmett is due to have his NG tube changed out. The doctors will allow the NG to stay out for 12 hours, and will observe how Emmett feeds on his own.
This new little family has been through enough ups and downs throughout this journey. It is time for them to all be able to be together at home under one roof.
Sweet Dreams Everyone...Emmett is getting some much needed rest, as he has a busy day tomorrow !
Prayers your way! You have been in our hearts! Go Emmett!
ReplyDeleteLove from the 3 of us