Day 8 – Poop!

We never thought we’d be so happy to hear that word.  Aiden struggled with feeding for a couple days.  They started his feeding again at midnight last night.  Everyone was waiting for a bowel movement to show he was digesting the breast milk.  We learned all about rectum stimulation and bicycle kicks.  We’re excited to share he finally had a bowel movement this afternoon!  The doctors are increasing his feedings.

We love having skin to skin with Aiden, about 90 minutes per night.  He needs to be on my bare chest so he can smell my scent, hear my heartbeat and touch my skin.  They told us places in Sweden give 22 hours per day of skin to skin.  They want us to sing, read stories and talk quietly to Aiden to help with his development.

Sometimes Aiden forgets to breath and his heart beat will stop, but it’s normal for preemies.  When that happens we need to stimulate him by rubbing his back and making him mad.  He also opens his mouth a lot and the oxygen escapes.  We are constantly holding his mouth shut, or the nurses put a chin strap on him.  What these babies go through to survive is amazing…it’s hard for us to watch.  As parents, we only want to comfort him.

My parents are still here and  very supportive.  We’ve managed to see a few Vancouver sites like Queen Elizabeth Park and Granville Island.  Eric is working so he isn’t able to join us during the day.

Pumping doesn’t allow me to get away very long and keeps my appetite up.  I had a record day.  I’m starting to worry I’ll overfill the containers…