Things get worse after a good start?

[lanaross]

I know some of you ladies had it much worse than I do and you seem to be so much stronger with this and I am just a complete wreck. I don't know how to deal with this without breaking down every five seconds and scaring the crap out of everybody. And I keep blaming myself for everything which is actually correct.

My son was just born at 35.1 weeks weighting 6 pounds. I had to leave him behind in NICU yesterday after discharge and the doctors are saying we are looking at a minimum 1-2 weeks stay. He is having jaundice, feeding issues (got his tube yesterday poor soul), forgetting to breathe when he gets too excited.

What I don't get is how he is having all these issues and they keep just getting worse?? He was born 9 out 10 apgar score, latched in beautifully, fed right after he was born, had 2-3 good feeds per day for two days and then things were just getting worse and worse: started falling asleep on a bottle and breast, started forgetting how to breath and on top of it got jaundice. How long things will continue to get worse before he gets better? and how do I just get a tiny bit stronger for his sake, I can't be crying every time he can't feed, it's just not normal.

 

[alibaba24]

its really tiring for them learning to feed etc and sometimes they do have set backs but he will get better. Jaundice is very normal even in full term babies Rosalie had it too and had to go under UV just keep reminding yourself hes here and in good hands. 2 weeks max is great and it will fly in .

 

[sunnylove]

He is not really supposed to know how to feed at 35 weeks yet, please remember that! He still has 2 weeks to reach full term, and you have to give him that time. He wasn't even supposed to be born yet so you cannot push him, or feel disappointed when he does this, or doesn't do that (and yes, I know you aren't actually disappointed in him). It can be very frustrating, but you cannot rush it. I've been in NICU with my little guy for 10 weeks now and I've learned that he knows what he's doing, he knows what he can handle and what he can't, and I cannot push him. As far as him getting "worse," he's not. He's just getting tired. You will be out soon, good luck!

 

[kayaker]

My baby was a late pre-term, and also fell asleep instead of feeding. The lactation nurses told me the jaundice made them sleepy. Since it takes a few days for that to peak, maybe that is why your baby appears worse? They told me I just needed to wait it out, and sure enough in about 2 weeks he was improving. But it was hard to wait.

Good luck.

 

[kayaker]

My baby was a late pre-term, and also fell asleep instead of feeding. The lactation nurses told me the jaundice made them sleepy. Since it takes a few days for that to peak, maybe that is why your baby appears worse? They told me I just needed to wait it out, and sure enough in about 2 weeks he was improving. But it was hard to wait.

Good luck.

 

[lanaross]

yes it looks like it was the jaundice, he's still having his numbers a little higher than needed (at 8+) but he is getting better and just ate from both breasts for 20 minutes. In the morning he also got 30ml EBM plus was fed on one side and is a happy little boy now. BUT no matter how much and how long he eats, he still continues to lose a little weight not even leveling out for us yet. I know I sound like an impatient cow but I really really really want him to get better

 

[kayaker]

I am glad he is doing better. It is indeed hard to be patient.

 

[AlyssaAngel]

Currently having the exact same issues with a 35 weeker please know you're not alone.

 

[Srrme]

My second was born at 35 weeks and spent 3 weeks in the NICU establishing feeds. It's very tiring for them to learn how to eat as much as they need to. He'll be home in no time.

 

[lanaross]

Just to update you ladies, thanks so much for your help and encouragement.. We are now home, took him yesterday, spent 6 days in NICU. Of course I freaked out right away that he's not eating enough and went to see his doctor: he gained 2,5 ounces in 24 hours. So it looks like he's doing it right.
Still, for some reason, keep obsessing about his weight gain - does anybody know a good scale I can use for a newborn? I used american red cross with my daughter (same problem with jaundice/feeding but full term) and this scale just scared the hell out of me, showing that he lost weight instead of gaining it. Which turned out to be wrong. I'd say it's a bad thing when my scales is off by a pound

 

[Srrme]

Just to update you ladies, thanks so much for your help and encouragement.. We are now home, took him yesterday, spent 6 days in NICU. Of course I freaked out right away that he's not eating enough and went to see his doctor: he gained 2,5 ounces in 24 hours. So it looks like he's doing it right.
Still, for some reason, keep obsessing about his weight gain - does anybody know a good scale I can use for a newborn? I used american red cross with my daughter (same problem with jaundice/feeding but full term) and this scale just scared the hell out of me, showing that he lost weight instead of gaining it. Which turned out to be wrong. I'd say it's a bad thing when my scales is off by a pound

I worried about weight loss too with both of my boys, but the Doctor's always reassured me and said as long as they were having enough wet diapers they were getting enough breastmilk.

 

[kayaker]

I am out in California, but I rented the same scale the hospital had, where I could even do weigh-feed-weighs at home. I rented it from a diaper service place that also rents hospital grade breast pumps. They rent by the day or month.

It may be worth asking your doctor or lactation service about. A lactation nurse is the one who told me about it when trying to convert Jake from a bottle to the breast.

It was worth it for piece of mind. It was $90 for a month in the San Francisco area.