Gunner laughs

I got it....here is Gunner belly laughing for Daddy. Daddy made Greyson laugh the first time too!

Prematurity Awareness Topic: NICU Feedings

...Fight for Preemies Nov 17th

Full term babies can breast or bottle feed easily within minutes of birth. Preterm babies cannot. NICU feeding is different than feeding a full term baby, yet another complication of prematurity. Most NICU babies get their first feedings thru a tube in their mouth or nose. Not the bonding moment most moms dream of when they picture feeding their newborn the first time.

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart for two reasons:

I had a sweet baby boy, born 7 weeks too early and a lot the information in this great article of this applies to him and the path he was on only a few months ago.

I am extremely proud to be a human milk donor to our local NICU, so not only my son has benefitted from the gift of breast milk, but other babies whose mom's choose not to or cannot breastfeed as well. I have donated over 1600 oz to date, that in gallons is roughly 12. Considering when my son was released from the NICU he was only taking about 2 1/2 oz. that amount will feed a ton of babies!

The Boston's Children's Hospital explained it quite well on their page:

Nutrition for babies in the NICU:

Feeding babies in the NICU is quite different from feeding healthy babies. When babies are sick or premature, they are often not well enough to breastfeed or take a bottle. Premature babies may not be able to suck effectively, or their gastrointestinal tracts may not be mature enough to digest feedings. Babies who are medically unstable are often unable to take regular feedings. Babies with umbilical catheters and those on mechanical ventilators may not be able to be fed because of the risk of aspiration (breathing food into the lungs).

Intravenous (IV) Fluids and Parenteral Nutrition

Many babies in the NICU receive essential fluids and electrolytes through a tube in a vein called intravenus (IV) fluids. Some babies may need a special preparation called parenteral nutrition, which contains nutrients they need until they are able to take milk feedings.
The contents of IV fluids and perenteral nutrition are carefully calculated for each baby. Calories, protein, fats, and electrolytes including sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium are all important components. Babies need calories, protein, and fats for adequate growth and development. Fluids, electrolytes, and vitamins are necessary for functioning of body systems.

Blood tests help determine how much of each component a baby needs and the amount of each nutrient can be increased or decreased accordingly. Daily weights and keeping track of a baby's urine output also help monitor fluid needs.

Sick babies may not be strong enough to suck effectively. Premature babies may not be physically mature enough to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing, or they may be too weak to suck for long periods of time. Special pacifiers designed for premature babies are sometimes used to teach them how to suck properly before they begin to breastfeed or bottle feed.

A mother's breast milk is the preferred milk for all babies, even the most premature babies. Breast milk contains all the nutrients needed for growth and development. Although commercial milk formulas are designed to be close to breast milk, most are based on cow's milk. The fats in breast milk are more easily digested. Formula is digested more slowly than breast milk and may not be as well tolerated. In addition, breast milk contains antibodies from the mother to help protect babies from infection, something commercial formulas do not have. This protection is especially important when babies are sick or premature and may have higher chances of developing an infection.

Premature babies, especially those younger than 32 to 34 weeks gestation, often cannot be fed from the breast or bottle. Gavage or tube feedings may be needed until the baby learns to suck effectively. For gavage feedings, a small flexible tube is placed into a baby's nostril or mouth and passed down into the stomach. The tube is sometimes removed, but may be left in place if feedings are frequent.

As you can see, Gunner had feeding tubes in two different locations. They started in his mouth and moved to the nostril when he became more interested in breast feeding. He then graduated to bottle feeds. None of this was in the plans, but prematurity changed all that!

Giving Thanks...Day 2

Today, I am thankful for my sweet first born boy. He has been a joy since he was born three years ago. He was my first and he taught me what being a Mommy feels like and it is still my favorite job.

He like Gunner was small when he was born. He also was angelic. He never cried unless he really really needed something. Even in the middle of the night, he would stir and grunt, but never cry. He was such an easy baby I was sure that if we had a second, it would be a handful.

He is three, so he can be quite the handful, but he is a wonderful and smart little boy. I am amazed when I watch him grow and become the little person he is.

Of course, being an only child for three years doesn't lend to taking a back seat to a new baby well. But honestly, he only shows his "jealousy" by being louder or making sure you know he is still there. He loves his little brother and I am so enjoying them becoming friends.

Here are some of the amazing things he can do or has done:


1) He potty trained himself while I was in the hospital this summer, all the while he was shuffling from house to house so Daddy could take care of me.

2) He can count to ten

3) He recognizes shapes and colors

4) His memory is excellent (better than mine at times)

He is definitely a special boy, today, I give thanks for Greyson Luke Young, my first born son.

Giving Thanks...Day 1

I have been challenged to come up with something that I am thankful for each day until Thanksgiving. While there are so many things that I am thankful for and that I feel blessed with, I have to start with what makes the majority of those possible. My husband, my partner, and the love of my life, Brian.

I am so thankful for him, because he is w.hy I made it through this rough summer, he is the reason I have two beautiful children (one who is delightfully cooing right next to me), he is why I am as happy as I am today and everyday.

I wrote earlier today, that this summer's experience, the hospital bedrest and NICU time was actually bittersweet. How could something like that be any part of sweet? Becuase the outpouring of support was so amazing. I felt so loved and am so grateful for it all. But who of course was the moving force behind that? My sweet husband. He called many times a day, he visited regularly, he took care of our little boy at home, and just kept me sane.

He is an amazing father. He plays hard with Greyson even if he just worked a 10 hour day, he wakes him up and makes getting ready to go to school at 6:50am fun, he coos right back at Gunner, and snuggles with him when I have to work late. All of this simply makes my heart melt.

Today, I give thanks for my hubby.

How lucky we actually were...

So I have mentioned many times how lucky we were to have Gunner keep baking as long as he did. In honor of Prematurity Awareness Month I did some research to see how lucky we actually were. The reason Gunner was born early was due to preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM)...we beat the odds as you can see below, by making it for over a month after my water breaking so early (28 weeks). PROM is the single most common diagnosis leading to admission of the newborn to intensive care nursing.

Here are some stats:

• 1/3 of preterm births are due to preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM).
• About 75% of all women with PPROM will deliver within 1 week, and nearly all will deliver preterm.
• Major neonatal infections occur in about 5% of all cases of preterm PROM, and in 15 - 20% of those with chorioamnionitis. .
• Only about 20% PProms will prolong pregnancy duration up to 1 month.

So as you can see, I was in the minority to maintain the pregnancy without infection and without spontaneous onset of labor, and with a perfectly formed and healthy baby boy to show for it!

Stay tuned for the birth story...

Halloween Hijinks

Gunner celebrated his first Halloween here on this earth...I was getting all mushy like because last Halloween I was pregnant and didn't even know it yet! We celebrated by watching all of the trick or treaters and Daddy took little man G out on the streets.

Here are my boys! Trick and Treat...I will let you guys guess who is who..:)

I also took some awesome fall shots...it is so pretty at our house right now! There is actually a pumpkin right next to Gunner (aka Pumkin) and believe or not, it is bigger than he is!

November 17th...Fight for Preemies!

Every year, 20 million babies are born too soon, too small and very sick ― half a million of them in the United States. November 17 is when we fight.

Do you know a baby that was born too soon, too small, unable to suck, unable to breathe on his own? Premature birth is a health crisis that jeopardizes the lives and health of nearly half-million babies each year. It is the #1 killer of newborns and can lead to lifelong disabilities. Worse: the number has increased 31 percent since 1981. It can happen without warning and for no known reason. Until we have more answers, anyone’s baby, could be born too soon.

Medical advances give even the tiniest babies a chance of survival, yet for many babies premature birth is still a life or death condition. It’s the #1 cause of death during the first month of life. And babies who survive face serious health challenges and risk lifelong disabilities.

The rate of premature birth has never been higher. In half the cases, we simply don’t understand what went wrong. We need to fight for answers. And, ultimately, preventions.

November 17 is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis of premature birth. The March of Dimes invites bloggers like you to get involved.

• Learn about premature birth at marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies

• Put a badge on your blog during November, Prematurity Awareness Month®

• On November 17, blog for a baby you love and to help others

We need to fight ― because babies shouldn’t have to.