Tuesday, April 11, 2006

She finally got to nurse!!!



YAY, Emma finally attempted to nurse today. It was so exciting, and a bit frustrating. Caden and Lily always preferred my left side. So I tried her on that side first. Nope, no go. Wouldn't even try to suck. We changed positions a few times before deciding to switch to the other breast before she got tired. The second we put her on that side she latched on and took about 5 sucks! That was an accomplishment in itself. She nursed off an on for about 5 minutes before she got tired and we started giving her the bottle. She only took about 15 cc's through the bottle before she started bradying and desating so we went ahead and put her back in her bed and gavaged the rest of the feeding. the nurse assured me that this is very normal and ANY amount of nippling at the breast at this stage in the game is better than nothing. She is 34 weeks 5 days adjusted age. So she's JUST at the age where the suck, swallow, breathe reflexes are established. Hopefully, I'll get to try again in the morning. It was so satisfying to finally get her on the breast if only for a few minutes!

9 comments:

wheezeybouncer said...

yay emma! and what an awesome picture. you keep up that nursing thing, boobies taste so much better than bottles!

love n hugs xx
geina xx

Anonymous said...

That is sooo awesome!!!!!

Breastmilk stored is better the formula (but you already knew that) but the fresh stuff is even better yet. She's going to love this once she figures that out!!! And it's going to do so much good for your body to get that feedback directly from her... you'll be making super-duper-preemie milk now instead of just super-preemie milk.

Anonymous said...

Awww, Elaina- I am so happy for you and Emma! I hope she keeps nursing for you! That is such great news!! Keep up the good work, mama!

Kara (Lane's mom)

Anonymous said...

Emma looks great! Her cheeks are getting so nice and full and I bet before long she will love to BF and want more and more time.

Anonymous said...

What an accomplishment! And she looks so much fuller in the new pics! Love the pink onesie! :)

FlakyLMD said...

Yipppeee for Emma! She'll figure it out in no time, we can all see how smart she is. *hehehe* Go gurl!!

Tara said...

OMG YAYAYAYAYYAYAYAY

Im so glad to hear all this great news... She looks so big all the sudden! Go EMMA!

Everytime I am sure she will get a little better at it. Im so happy to read that she is growing so much, YAYAYYAYAYYAYA

Anonymous said...

SHe is so adorable! Im glad she is starting to breast feed a little bit....I am from swap n shop just in case you were wondering who I was. But your baby girl is so cute, I cant wait till you get to take her home!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful! I am always so happy to read about how well little Emma is doing. Great pics! Give all the kids kisses from us! -Megan and Bella!