Full Belly
Kate is up to full feedings which is based upon her body weight. Her weight is still 2 pounds 4 ounces. She is getting 18 cubic centimeters (cc) of breast milk every 3 hours. They tell us that this is close enough to the 19 cc. Each feeding lasts for 30 minutes. The nurses add a fortifier to the breast milk for added calories. They want to have 24 calories per ounce (roughly 30 cc) of food. Breast milk contains about 20 calories per ounce. You wouldn't think 4 calories per ounce makes a difference but apparently it does. The fortifier contains some extra protein, calcium, and phosphorus which is all good for bone development. Her feedings will increase when her weight increases.

Since Kate is up to full feedings, she no longer needs an IV for supplemental nutrition. Her original IV was through her umbilical cord. This was put in on her birthday. This had to be removed after one week to prevent the risk of infection. Her second IV was in her right foot which also required a splint to keep it secured. I don't think she liked it. I know Mom and Dad didn't like it. Hopefully she won't need another IV during her stay in the NICU.

One feeding a day also contains caffeine. The was giving through the IV but now it is added to the breast milk. I like to term it, Baby Starbucks. The caffeine helps stimulate the respiratory part of the brain until brain develops enough to remember to keep breathing.

Starting today, April 12, she gets to be held twice day. After several one a day holdings, there weren't any indications of being over stressed. Also today is professional picture day in the NICU. One of the nurses is also a professional photographer. She takes the photos for free and the March of Dimes prints the photos for us. We'll post the photos when we get them.

Last night we ate dinner at the Athenian. The owner of the restaurant and our friend was using the the greek term of endearment, poulaki (Po-LHAH-kee). We believe it means little bird in greek but we are not sure. Either way, we like it.

One of the NICU nurses did the artwork.