Is this normal for a NICU stay for feeding problems?

Emily - posted on 05/24/2012

My son was 13 weeks early and he was in the NICU for 71 days. The first few weeks were just getting him bigger and the normal preemie problems, but the last stretch was for feeding. He was aspirating his food because it was too thin, so they thickened it with rice formula. It felt like forever until i got to bring him home and there were several times where I was told he could come home, but then he wouldn't take a few bottles so they kept him longer. Personally I'm glad they checked that stuff because I knew for sure he was ready to come home when he did. The wait is well worth it. For me it took a lot of weight off my shoulders knowing he was more and more developed and closer to his due date. He actually came home on Easter Sunday and was due on the 29th of April. From what I learned it's very normal for preemies to not be so great at eating. They're still used to not having to do anything for themselves because they should normally still be in your tummy! Don't worry yourself too much your little one will catch on when she feels ready :) Good luck!

Patti - posted on 05/22/2012

Hi Catherine,

I noticed that you posted this on 4/25 how are things going now? I have a baby boy born on 04/06/2012 and i am having the same issues as you are having. I am rounding up on week 6 here in the NICU. Max was having spells when he was born and the caffiene med helped a lot. He lost a couple weeks because they found blood in his stool so he was on IV and vitamins for nearly two weeks no bottle no tube. Gradually he started feeding again. His weight increased and he started taking feeds from bottle at 10-20 ccs at most. then one day he took 60! but my celebration was short lived and he went back to where he was before. As a result we confirmed reflux and now after having an EEG he is having seizures as well. We did switch to Dr. Brown bottle which is better than what hospital has. So now his Apnea is a problem again he wont;t feed over 20cc consistantly and he has seizures supposedly. Even the Dr. is saying he is concerned because he is 39 weeks and should be actig like he is 39 weeks not the way he is now. This is by far the most painful struggle i have ever experienced in my life. I can not even begin to explain the frustration but obviously I am not alont here. I would just like to know how you have come along now that almost a month has gone by? I hope your little one is doing great!

Misty - posted on 05/18/2012

what they told me is the #1 reason preemies get "stuck" in the NICU is feeding issues. my little one had a similar problem she was born at 32 weeks and 5 days and one day three weeks later it just clicked for her and it was slow at first but she was home in 5 days after that so keep your head up, she'll get there

Deb - posted on 05/08/2012

My daughter was born at 31 weeks and stayed in NICU for 8 1/2 weeks. We had three cancelled come home dates, and Jeanie would "fail" on the last day of required feedings. It is frustrating, and hugs to you. It is very tough to have others taking care of your new baby. Try to remember that as bad as you want her home, she is better off there if she is taking her time on catching up. The monitors can tell them things you won't know once she is home. You don't want to be running back there. Hang in there mom! She'll be home before you know it!

Jennifer - posted on 05/06/2012

I agree that sometimes it just takes a while and while the feeding tubes (IV in the case of my daughter) is there for the best of intentions, it can cause them to not work as hard on trying to eat. My daughter did not want to eat at all until I told the doctors and nurses that she might be hungrier if they'd back her IV down. Even then she ate very small amounts at first (she was born at 34 weeks). Just stick with her and keep going it will get easier. I remember how hard it was to see all of the other babies staying in the same room as their Moms and I wished my daughter could do that too, but each baby has their own birth story and this time with her is unique to her and every time she is able to reach one of those little milestones will seem like a bigger accomplishment (and I can truthfully say that since I have had a full term son without some of those worries). Good luck!

Daenna - posted on 05/04/2012

My twins were born at 37 weeks, 4.3lbs and 6.3lbs. my son (the bigger one) stayed 10 days for feeding isses, and my daughter 4 weeks for feeding issues. Same thing as you, she would have one good day, giving us hope, followed by a bad day prolonger her stay. She ended up staying 1 weeks past her actual due date so it is possible they will stay longer than 40weeks gestation. It is so frustrating and heartbreaking to not have your baby home with you. But they know what they are doing and its best they learn to eat properly before you take them home because things can go downhill quickly. Hang in there, soon you will forget all about this time.

Jennifer - posted on 04/27/2012

I know how you feel! Both my boys were born at 33 weeks and one came home in 12 days and the other stayed for a month due to slow feeding. It does get frustrating especially when it sems like they are progressing and then they take a step backwards. I promise it will come eventually! When my last son was there, one of the nurses told me that he will go home and this will all just be a memory. Just think positive and be as patient as you can. Pretty soon you will be at home with your beautiful baby and then time will start flying by too fast! Good luck!

Sara - posted on 04/27/2012

My son was born at 33 weeks and we spent 5 weeks in the NICU. The beginning was for breathing assistance but he too took a very long time to be able to maintain his feeds...it happens eventually! It felt like forever but they pulled his tube after a while for 24 - 48 hours and he ate just enough to be able to come home! Just be patient and baby will be ready in his own time...lots of cuddling is helpful!!! Enjoy this time, before long they won't be able to get enough!

Stacy - posted on 04/27/2012

Try to stay calm. When younfed her unwrap her and try to hold her away from you some. My baby was the same way (born at 28 wks) he overcame all his other pronblems long before the feeding. But once he got it...he really got it! Do as much kangaroo care as you can. I really think it helped with mine who came home after 6 weeks. And try to remember that some of those 6 pound babies going homehave been there a long time! Keep hour chin up. Good luck!

Emily - posted on 04/27/2012

You didn't say if she's getting ebm or formula. If it is ebm is it possible for you to stay in the NICU and try nursing. They will accept full nursing feeds (mininum of 10 min per side or 20 min on one side) in place of bottles. If you are formula feeding it may still benifit her for you to stay at the NICU for 24 hrs so you can do all her feeds. NICU nurses can be rushed sometimes and not give a baby the chance they need to eat. Also try stripping her down to just a diaper so she doesn't get too warm and sleepy. And as you said she is only 37 or 38 weeks. Term is 40 weeks for a reason, some babies just don't "get it" until then. I have had 2 preemies and was very very fortunate that eating for them came fairly easy but my son was still there for 28 days and know that any length of stay in the NICU is the hardest thing you will ever go through. Just remember that she WILL go home and yes there are some babies that never get it but they stil go home just with a stomach feeding tube or gavage tube. And like Ginger said try not to stress (I know, easier said than done) babies are very sensitive and will feed off of your feelings/emotions.

Ginger - posted on 04/26/2012

Definatley stay calm! Be patient with your baby. Sometimes the swollow reflex develops after 35 weeks. This is very normal, provided all the tests came back normal it could be somehting less serious like.... Some nurses say that babies can get lazy and why work for the food when it comes so easily down a tube. Also a doctor once explained that when little babies get air in their tummies it can bring their oxygen levels down slightly and make them sleeply. Try not rocking when you feed her and burping her gently more often. I mean how could you not fall asleep with Mommy holding you and warm milk in your tummy? Sounds like satisfaction to me. Sure hope it works out. The best thing to do is stay calm and encourage any success your baby makes. Don't let her see you get too frustrated.

Christie - posted on 04/25/2012

Just relax, this is very normal for premmies! Some just take longer to catch on, 2 of my prems caught on reasonably well my 32 weeker only took 3 weeks, my 28 weeker took 3 months and my 24 weeker was in hospital for 209 days and well he never caught on and uses a feeding tube but micro prems are alot different and very sick compared to 30 plus week prems! The time will come and your baby will be home with you, and don't take into consideration of her weight compared to other babies your daughter was very big but that does not change her bring a prem and having to learn to eat! Just kangaroo care her a lot and be there and she will catch up! Enjoy your baby even though your in an hospital environment! Good luck and hope she gets home soon!J