Therapy Day

What a good day. Day 1 of our new normal. Or at least our attempt. Ellie went to preschool from 9 to 2:30, Dad worked from home, and mama went to hang out with Beckett at the hospital.

It has been a good day. Beckett has tolerated 13 mls of feedings with little to no residuals. His heart rate is back down. Apparently last night they got his temp down by adjusting his isolette heat and humidity, but then he got a little too cold, so they had to heat him back up.

At 2pm today, they started adding fortifier to the breastmilk to add more calories. The standard calorie count for breast milk is 20, and the prolacta, which is a human milk derivative, will increase his calorie intake to 26. They use the prolacta now in place of the formula like neosure, before 34 weeks I believe. The powder based formulas are derived from cows milk, and the research has shown that limiting exposure to cow protein until after 34 weeks lowers the risk of NEC. So we will see how he reacts to the prolacta. Hopefully well so he can get some meat on his bones!

The occupational therapist actually came by today, and did a little session with Beckett. She is very pleased by how he is doing. He tolerates more stimulation than most 25 weekers. And of course most of the language was coming back. Watching for his cues to align midline. Placing and hold with gentle pressure on his bum and head, no stroaking or rubbing, watching for over stimulating signs such as sneezing,yawning or the classic talk to the hand pose. She was impressed that he kept his oxygen saturations up during his therapy session. She also talked about making sure he gets the lowest stimulation possible, with the isolette cover on, talking with quiet voices, etc. She actually did his initial assessment last week. She said she would come twice a week, and only when he is having a good day!

Beckett is now above his birth weight! He weighs 2 lbs. 2.9 oz. We will take it!

Well, I am tired, so it sounds like naptime for this mama.