Feeding Milestones

It was a big day for the Schlegelets.  The doctor ordered a bottle feeding and a breastfeeding for Carter and Anderson once per day (e.g., Carter can receive a bottle once per day for his feeding and can be breastfed once per day as well; Anderson can do the same). The nurse suggested that we start today with Ty feeding Carter a bottle and Anderson breastfeeding, as Carter still has his nasal cannula and this can sometimes make it difficult to latch and therefore frustrating for the baby and parents.

Ty fed Carter a bottle for the first time (we'll post pictures later)!  Carter still receives a full feeding through the tube in his nose, but the bottle helps him to learn how to suck, swallow and breathe simultaneously.  Carter did not take much of the milk out of the bottle, but he definitely displayed that he knows how to suck and he didn't choke on any of it.  We will try again tomorrow.

Anderson did a great job breastfeeding.  Similar to Carter, he received his entire regular feeding through the tube in his nose and probably just took in a little from the breastfeeding.  He got the motions correct though and his oxygen levels were steady the entire time.  The nurse let me hold him for quite awhile afterwards and showed me how to burp a preemie.  Both of the boys really did great for their first time feeding, and especially for babies who will be 33 weeks old (gestational age) tomorrow.  We are excited to be able to do these feedings with them and have a while new level of interaction.

They are both continuing to grow.  Carter weighs 2lbs 8oz and Anderson is up to 3lbs 11oz.  Ty will post pictures soon of the boys in their preemie outfits.