Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Baby Radars and Energy Zappers

So, I learned something new recently (I'm sure this won't be the last time)--breasts, a.k.a. "baby radars,"  have an amazing ability to determine when babies are close by.  We've been keeping track of milk volume from pumping in a log that they gave us at the hospital.  The other day, Meg handed me the log to look at and asked me if I noticed any trends.  I didn't see it at first, but when she described the times she had spent at the NICU with our girls, and I looked at the corresponding pumping times that succeeded each visit, there was a drastic difference in the volume produced after spending time with our girls versus the other times.  It's as if they can sense that the babies are near and produce extra milk.  Maybe I'm the only person in the world who wasn't aware of this phenomenon, but I think it's pretty incredible.

I've made a few other observations about the pumping process, but the one that's the most noticeable is how Meg is literally transferring her energy from breast to bottle.  I can actually see her energy level drop from start to finish.

Over the last couple of days, the girls have all been making excellent progress.  Isabelle finally had her breathing tube removed, so all three are on nasal cannulas, breathing room air.  We haven't been given any guidance on when they'll take those off, but let me tell you, I can't wait to see their cute little faces without tubes and tape!  Also, this morning, they had their central lines removed from their belly buttons and had their picc lines put in.

I wasn't there this morning to take a photo, but because Isabelle had her breathing tube removed last night and was doing so well, Meg was able to hold her for the first time.  I'll get my chance on Tuesday night!  The other girls have been getting more than their fair share of cuddling.  Strike that.  You can never cuddle too much with these miracles.

Enjoy today's moment of bliss, below!

Madelyn, without a care in the world

4 comments:

  1. Sounds like Meghan might need to drink some more if she is feeling flat after expressing. Everything sounds like it is going wonderful, so sad you have to leave the hospital good luck at home and with the travel back and forth. viv

    ReplyDelete
  2. HA! Just wait until she is in the store and some random baby starts crying - it may make her double check her shirt ;) Pumping sucks (both literally & figuratively), but it was the one thing I felt like I could do for them while I was away from them.
    I am sooo impressed how well your trio is doing with their breathing! Such fighters.
    Continued prayers for all five of you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. When I was pumping for my triplets in the NICU, I found it particularly helpful to pump while AT the NICU. Eventually I got good enough at it, that I could actually pump while holding a baby, so it didn't even cut into my cuddle time. I would get myself all set up pumping (with a hands-free pumping bra - Meg MUST get several!!) and have the nurse hand me the baby/ies.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with the pumping at the NICU suggestion, as well as drinking a giant Big Gulp of water while pumping. Madelyn looks totally relaxed! How wonderful they are all doing so well. I know what you mean about waiting on that wire & tube free moment. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete