Claire passed 4 lbs. a couple nights ago and Brooke hit the 5 lbs. mark last night, so we’re very pleased with their steady growth. Both girls’ faces have started to fill out with a little baby fat to give them more of that typical newborn look. Neither have had any days of losing weight since they turned the corner on Day 6 or so and started gaining weight instead of losing it. Brooke isn’t really outgrowing her sister – she just had a head start by about 11 oz. Our preference would be to bring them home at the same time when they’re ready, but because of Brooke’s head start, she might be ready to come home earlier. We still don’t know when that might be with any precision, but it’s possible Brooke could be ready in less than two weeks!
Brooke has been eating like a champ, and hasn’t had any reflux (i.e. spit-up) problems since being taken off Reglan, and has been finishing her bottle feedings fast enough to be up to a bottle feeding every third feeding. (They get fed every three hours, for a total of eight feedings per day.) The only bottles she hasn’t finished are when Mommy or Daddy give it to her; apparently, being held by Mommy or Daddy is so cozy that she’d rather sleep.
Claire is also eating and growing, but hasn’t been able to completely shake her reflux issues since going of Reglan. She hasn’t had severe reflux, but of course it’s uncomfortable for her – especially when she scares herself by spitting up through her nose – and food that gets spit up is food that isn’t digested to help her grow. The strategies for preventing or minimizing her reflux are mostly positional, like keeping her more upright or on her right side during or after feeding, but it’s also about reducing movement or stimulation at those times, since that can trigger reflux. That has meant a little less kangaroo care (skin-to-skin holding) for Claire, since if we’re holding around feeding time, we don’t want to jostle her by undoing her swaddle to hold her. Her reflux appears to be gradually improving, and she’s still taking and digesting enough food to gain weight. She is now up to two bottle feedings a day – one on day shift, and one on night shift. Go, Claire!
