Since many of you pray for Karsie every day, we have a specific prayer request for her. Karsie needs to start to eat orally and more often. We feel that a lot of this is due to waiting for her to grow and not doing much (which we are not sure we understand anymore) and part of this is the fact that we think she is getting an oral aversion to her bottle. When we started giving her the bottle she was taking all of it or most of it. Since then, we feel she has been taking less and less of it. We're not sure if it's because we give her the feeds continuous anyway and since it's easier to let it go to her stomach than suck and swallow the milk, she would rather not, or if it's because she associates the bottle with throwing up. We think it's the latter because, thankfully, she is still into the breast milk. However, that obviously poses a problem because if she gets an oral aversion to the breast then we're not sure what happens, but either way it looks like our time in the NICU is being extended every day she does not improve.
We are going to start to push for them to start trying to condense the feeding so her stomach can hold more at one time. She is not throwing up nearly at all when she is just laying down getting it into her stomach, and she did well when they were increasing her feeding every day. If she can handle the increases her stomach will stretch and she will be able to handle more at once, which is the goal. But if she has an oral aversion to the bottle, we're going to need help with that. Thus, your prayers are coveted to be with the doctors as they come up with a plan (as we're not really sure if there is one, which is understandable since they usually deal with more accute situations, but we need a plan) and for Karsie to start being able to handle more food and like the bottle again.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Just know that I have been praying for Karsie ever since I came across your blog. I know you are dying to get out of the NICU... but you will want her to be ready!
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs and Prayers from Arkansas!
Tiffany (another MOO Momma)
www.blairrosalia.blogspot.com
My prayers are with you and that darling bsby girl.
ReplyDeletewe are praying
ReplyDelete<3 The Brinars!
Karsie is a clever girl, and of course she will object if she learns eating from the bottle creates reflux and throwing up.
ReplyDeleteI think you know her well and are speaking for her.
She wants her stomach stretched enough to be able to handle larger quantities given in a shorter time, yes?
So ask the docs & nurses how they plan to do that?
Is it impossible at the moment, does her bowel need to be more efficient first?
Would it help to gradually decrease the time of her continuous feeds?
Should she only be given small amounts from the bottle so oral feedings are a pleasure for her?
I do not know....but you are right to ask the questions and want to know the plan.
You are being her advocate and great parents.
The medical team surely wants her to do as well as possible too....I am sure they want to solve the puzzle and are trying hard. Something is lacking in communication....
I pray you and her medical team are as well informed as possible and all on the same page, and all understand everything going on.
It is team Karsie after all....
Many prayers for you all, and I pray soon - her eating will bring all of you pleasure. I pray the problems will be solved.
Much love, Jen.
You could also ask for a feeding specials/Occupational Therapy type person. Babies who are tube fed sometimes need extra help to get going.
ReplyDeleteGod bless Karsie and her mom and dad. Keep your focus on all of God's great blessings awaiting your family. Thank Him for every day!
ReplyDeleteKarsie's status is good every day as a child of God!!! He loves her every day!
ReplyDeleteHe loves us also.