Day 5: Another great night last night = green light to remove nasal tubes, oxygen and commence feeding! In honor of these orders, Hudson provided his formal "salute" to the hospital staff...another item off the checklist!
Initiating natural feeding is a big deal for children with heart defects and heterotaxy, as it takes a tremendous amount of energy, bloodflow and proper intestinal tract to digest food. Often times the children are unable to either digest food or get sick while attempting. As a result, we were both anxious and nervous to begin the feeding process as it could provide a glimpse into future for our boy.
We started with 15 mls of breast milk as a test of Hudson's strength and ability to digest. With mouth wide open, the hungry lad downed the entire thing in less than 1 minute. Success! They then steadily upped the feeding amounts from 15 mls to 30 mls to 45 mls...and each time Hudson dominated as if it were a pint of his favorite Graeters ice cream. We couldn't be any happier!
Special thanks to uncle Ross and aunt Shanna who were able to stop by to visit with their nephew Hudson. Despite his history of fainting at the first sign of hospitals, blood or discussion of either, Ross successfully made it through the visit and enjoyed the special time with his new buddy Hudson.
Additional thanks to Grandma Jeannie for taking Harlowe and Oliver to see their first circus. They loved it and provided a period of relief for them during this stressful week!
Nurses Trisha and Julie were on attendance today and sincerely appreciate their attentiveness and care of Hudson!
Initiating natural feeding is a big deal for children with heart defects and heterotaxy, as it takes a tremendous amount of energy, bloodflow and proper intestinal tract to digest food. Often times the children are unable to either digest food or get sick while attempting. As a result, we were both anxious and nervous to begin the feeding process as it could provide a glimpse into future for our boy.
We started with 15 mls of breast milk as a test of Hudson's strength and ability to digest. With mouth wide open, the hungry lad downed the entire thing in less than 1 minute. Success! They then steadily upped the feeding amounts from 15 mls to 30 mls to 45 mls...and each time Hudson dominated as if it were a pint of his favorite Graeters ice cream. We couldn't be any happier!
Special thanks to uncle Ross and aunt Shanna who were able to stop by to visit with their nephew Hudson. Despite his history of fainting at the first sign of hospitals, blood or discussion of either, Ross successfully made it through the visit and enjoyed the special time with his new buddy Hudson.
Additional thanks to Grandma Jeannie for taking Harlowe and Oliver to see their first circus. They loved it and provided a period of relief for them during this stressful week!
Nurses Trisha and Julie were on attendance today and sincerely appreciate their attentiveness and care of Hudson!