Growing up I looked forward to St. Patrick’s Day. My brothers and I would make elaborate leprechaun traps and imagine what it would be like to catch one. We would wake up to gold coins and fool’s gold and other treats and goodies scattered around our bedroom. But St. Patrick’s Day has a whole new significance for me now.
Continue reading “St. Patrick’s Day NICU Graduation”Healing After Having a G-Tube
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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or nurse. All of the information in this post is based on my own experience with my son.
My 16-month-old got a g-tube placed at 5 weeks old. It was scary and unknown, but we got used to it. It even started to seem strange that other babies didn’t have feeding tubes.
He was able to slowly take more and more food by mouth and after the worries of winter illnesses, he got his g-tube button out in April. After 13 months of dealing with leakage, granulation tissue, emergency replacement kits, tubes, feeding pumps, feeding pump bags, and worrying the button would be pulled out, it was gone. Continue reading “Healing After Having a G-Tube”
Breast Isn’t Always Best: Giving Up Pumping
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When I was pregnant with my first baby, I didn’t give the whole breast milk versus formula debate a lot of thought. I had really only been exposed to formula, but I figured breastfeeding was worth a try. After three excruciatingly painful months (that I don’t know how I got through), I loved it. Continue reading “Breast Isn’t Always Best: Giving Up Pumping”
When Your Child Needs a Feeding Tube
My little one has a g-tube. And I am so glad. I never would have pictured it. We have medical supplies delivered monthly, hospital totes full of supplies around the house, an IV pole by the crib, and a slew of medical magnets, cards, and instruction sheets on the fridge. And I am glad. I am glad my son is thriving. I’m glad he’s getting the nutrition he needs. Most of all, I’m glad he got the g-tube before ever leaving the hospital. Continue reading “When Your Child Needs a Feeding Tube”
Babywearing with a G-Tube
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I looked forward to being able to babywear #2. I hadn’t really cared to wear my first and later wished he’d gotten used to it. You know, it’s hard to cook dinner with a 20 pound toddler who insists on being held on your hip grabbing everything!
When a 39-day NICU stay ended in my baby being able to come home fed only through his g-tube, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to wear him. I didn’t know how I would be able to do anything with a toddler and a tiny baby who needed so much extra attention. I asked the NICU nurses if I could wear him. They had no idea what I was talking about, but they said that if it was like tummy time and put pressure on his stomach, it should be avoided. Continue reading “Babywearing with a G-Tube”