So, we got officially admitted into Children's Hospital at 2AM after spending 11 hours in an ER room, which was a real rough way to go. The room they placed us in wasn't the Marriott, but it was a whole lot better. There was at least one pull out chair that Amber got some much needed sleep on while I attempted some shut eye by curling onto two chairs (didn't work so hot).
Emerson still isn't feeding too well, but he was able to hold down two oz at 6AM. At 9AM, he guzzled breastmilk, but threw it all back up immediately - which, I guess is better than later and if it were green :). So, apparently he is either drinking too fast or not getting burped enough or some other wacky reason that changes based on which lactation consultant you talk to. Needless to say, we think things are getting better. He was just so lethargic over the past couple days, but after they put some saline into him throughout the morning, he has really perked back up. In fact, Amber just called me (I'm at home briefly to pick up some things - like Amber's pain meds! - that we obviously hadn't planned on taking with us yesterday) and said that the noon feeding went really well and he was really awake and alert. True to one of our nurses's words yesterday, now that he is more hydrated he's a whole different baby.
They also put him under blue tanning lights throughout the late night/morning to reduce his jaundice and bilirubin count, which also causes lethargy (a vicious cycle). We're waiting on the blood tests from that to see if it has gone down enough that they are comfortable to send us home. So, we may very likely come home tonight. Thankfully, my mom left Lafayette this morning and will get here late afternoon to help out. Not only is she a nurse who can help out with the childcare stuff (and like ensuring that our car seat is properly installed which I also didn't have time to do before he was born!!), but I know she'll be willing to help clean up the house and do the things we simply don't currently have the time or energy to do.
Thanks again for all of you who have posted on here or Facebook with words of encouragement, prayer, and simply asking for updates. It really means a TON to us, and we look forward to introducing you to our neat, little guy, Emerson. You'll really like him, I promise!
A Prayer to Live in Abundance Not Scarcity
3 years ago
2 comments:
I'm sorry to hear that things are going so rough for the little guy! My brother wasn't so great at feeding when he was a newborn either, and he's pretty cool, so it's probably just a rite of passage on the rough to awesomeness.
Please keep us posted as much as you can. Obviously between caring for your newborn baby, sleeping, eating, and other necessary tasks. Jaundice is so tough. Jonathan had it. It is a vicious cycle. Needs to eat to get better, needs to be awake to eat, jaundice makes you sleepy and not want to eat. Need to eat to cure the jaundice...
Well, I am sure you have more important things to do than read my lame-ass comments. I am glad to hear your mom is coming. Jackie to the rescue.. talk about in home lactation consulting! not to mention... dinner!
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