hi kate,
I'm just a newbie here as well. We've been out of hospital 5months now and our little Pyper was born at 24+5 days. Pyper was 704grm and went down to 666grm in the few days after birth, she was ventilated for 10wks which is also a long time, then one successful atempt onto CPAP but, it was quite a few goes to get her off CPAP tho after 6 wks she came off. She then started breast feeding 4days later without any problem and has'nt looked back. She is now nearly 8.5kg, she is on home oxegen (100mls) which you will learn the difference down the track. We were lucky to escape ligation for her PDA that never closed after 26 continuious days of indicide, once she went term it just slowly closed on it's own. We also never had dexemethisone (steriods) our Dr choose longer ventilation over the risks of side effects of the steriod ( which are'nt permanant) after those first 3-4 wks after birth. I am more than happy to talk more with you about the long exhausting road you are on. By the way my name is natlie and i have 3 other children aswell, Brae 9 Tahlia & Zane 4 and Will born sleeping 22wks and now miss Pyper