Noah has been at a bit of a standstill this week. The NICU staff were giving Noah a chance to rest and recover from his latest belly blow-up. The barium enema test came back showing no bowel obstructions. This is a check off the probable causes list. Noah has been on a tube to suction air out of his belly, and has been off of food since Tuesday. The doctors have decided that the cause of the problems may be that his belly and bowels just aren't mature enough to properly push things through. Noah was put back on food last night, but we are doing things a bit differently. We are starting off with Pedialite, then going to a type of formula that has very basic proteins. We may then go to weaning him back on breast milk. All this feeding will be done very slowly- continuously getting 1 ml per hour throughout the day and night. Since these feedings are going so slowly, a PICC line had to be put back in to provide extra nutrients (proteins, lipids, and TPN).
The nasal cannula has been going very well. Noah went his first 24 hours on the cannula with only one spell! He is now averaging about 2 spells a day, and mostly when the nurses are messing with him, or when he is put back in bed after Kangaroo Care. These spells are less concerning than spells he has when he is by himself. The nurses think these spells could partly be caused by the suction tube and the feeding tube going into his mouth. These are causing an increase in thick oral secretions that collect in the back of his throat, causing him to somewhat choke on his own spit. The suction tube has been removed since they started feedins again, and the feeding tube has now been placed through his nose. Now, not only can we see his face and head more clearly, we can also see his mouth without any equipment in the way!
Despite all that has gone on this week, Noah has managed to gain weight! He now weighs 2 pounds 11 ounces! He is getting to be a big boy, and is looking more and more like his daddy every day!
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