days 15 & 16

Thomas is doing wonderfully breathing on his own. Now we are tackling the last hurdle before he can come home- eating. Yesterday his NG tube was pulled and he was allowed to go from scheduled feedings supplemented by gavage (tube feeding to get to a set amount per feeding) to demand nursing. He's doing ok but not great and he lost a little weight yesterday. Today is similar so unless he starts eating a little more we might get the tube again tomorrow. They are having me room in the next two nights, there is a room in the NICU for moms to stay with their babies who are close to going home, and maybe being able to nurse 24/7 will help. Thomas nurses great but he gets worn out and falls asleep too quickly! This is the one time his size works against him because he needs a fair amount of milk to gain weight but he only has the drive and stamina of a preemie, and a preemie who is still recovering from being awfully sick at that.

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