So we begin our NICU journey....

[Ryatha]

Yay never thought I would be so happy to hear that a bubba has pooped Hope you feel better as well

[Mummato2]

Oh Heidi - good girl!!!! Keep it up sweet girl!!

You are doing so well honey - you are one strong lady and that is obviously resonating to your little girl.

Lots of love and healing vibes to your sweet daughter.

[*Infinity*]

Thank you all for your love & support and helping us celebrate DDs milestones. She continues to do well and is definitely getting better which is an immense relief. They repeated the gastric dye test on Friday and she managed to pass it through much quicker which is a great sign, and she has also continued to poo which means things are on the mend. The real test will be today as they are re-introducing 1ml feeds every 2 hours. So we'll see how she tolerates that.

She was taken off the ventilator around midday yesterday and has remained nice & stable, so we are just thrilled for her. She was getting so uncomfortable with that tube down, she is looking a lot more settled now with just the CPAP back on. And after 3 weeks of not being able to handle her a lot or do much for her, I was able to give her a nice wash and massage today and it looks like we might be in for some cuddles tonight! DP thinks he might even sneak a cuddle in too - he's not felt ready to cuddle her as yet, but after this time with her being so ill, I don't think anything will stop him now.

Still expressing like a dairy queen - so much milk in my freezer here, I'm also giving some of it to DS! I've got a crack thats opened up on one boob right close to where the pump flange rubs, its not too uncomfortable if I'm really careful, but I just can't see how its going to heal while I'm exclusively expressing. Any thoughts? I'm putting breast milk on it to help heal it up and giving it an airing too? Hopefully it stays manageable.

[ladybird11]

Enjoy those cuddles hun - I'm so so so over the moon to hear Miss H is on the mend :-)

[onthefly]

So wonderful to hear how well she's going! for more poos and hope you get soem lovely cuddles
Hope the crack heals up. Are there LCs at the hospital you could ask about it? Or call the ABA maybe. Milk and airing should help at any rate.

[*Beema*]

Oh wow *Infinity* what some huge steps Miss Heidi has taken over the last few days

She is certainly making up for lost time.

I am so so excited for you and your DH to be getting cuddles again, oh what a truely amazing feeling that will be, and I bet you were bubbling with joy being able to do her cares today

Will be keeping you all in my thoughts and I hope that she gets back onto the "good stuff" and the transition goes smoothly

Take care and you are doing a wonderful job and thankyou for sharing what is a very difficult journey, we are here for you through all of the highs and the lows, but from here on in may there be many more highs!
xxoo

[Sally2]

Hoping you all got your cuddle & a big WHOO HOO FOR POO!
Haven't been on for a couple of days, but as soon as I got computer access, logged on to find out what little Miss Heidi has been up to and was so excited to read your post. What an exhausting time for you all but happy to hear she that she seems to be on the mend

[Liviam]

What an amazing little girl you have!! Enjoy your cuddles and can't wait to hear about daddy's first cuddle.

[Jennifer13]

Hun, you can try lanisoh or a similar lanolin based 'cream' on your crack to help it when you can't walk around bare-breasted. Ask at the hospital, they might even have some, otherwise, any chemist will.

I can't wait to hear about DH's cuddles tonight, so excited for you both. And Heidi's little tummy tolerates the milk well. Sounds like both of your kids are benefiting from your wonderful milk! That's going to help DS if you're fighting off colds in the household too. My DD had ebm on her weetbix for months as a toddler while I used up my freezer supplies.

[Nai]

The special band-aids designed for healing blisters are good too - the compeed type ones. Combine with the BM and airing and it should heal.

Sending big hugs and hoping that Heidi is able to be back on the EBM very soon.

[*Infinity*]

The special band-aids designed for healing blisters are good too - the compeed type ones. Combine with the BM and airing and it should heal.

Thanks Nai, where do I find these band-aids? Are they a particular brand or do they have a name? Might try them out. And Jen I've been using some pawpaw cream to date but will upgrade to the Lansinoh today I think. And dig out my bigger flange for the pump too. I'm annoyed because the crack is on my slower boob so I've had to turn the suction right down and get even less milk. Or just sit there for 45 minutes letting it dribble out! Oh well, thank goodness for power boob!

Well I finally got to hold my baby girl in my arms again last night. I settled in with her tucked down my top and she went straight to sleep, and I just wept. Tears of sheer relief, of exhaustion, tears that wished the whole world would go away for a while so I could have her in a quiet room all to myself. DP & her nurse sat there holding me and wiping away the tears. Even though it was visiting hours and they were very busy, her nurse insisted the lights get turned off so we could enjoy the cuddle as much as possible, and I was so appreciative. Its the closest I can get to having her back in my womb, and it just feels so much better having her with me, where she belongs. Inside or out.

[*Beema*]

You brought me to tears hun

[thepixie]

Oh honey... at work and so shouldn't be posting but just here in my office crying a few happy tears for you getting to hold your gorgeous little girl again.

[Nai]

Infinity, I'm so glad you got to hold her

The blister healing patches you can get from the chemist - there is a brand called Compeed which I have used before and they seem to be the best.

[Jennifer13]

Oh hun, that's beautiful.

You can try the Advanced Wound healing bandaids (will do the same kind of thing). But they work better when they're left undisturbed for most of or up to a day. So I'd give it a go with the creams too. Pawpaw is good, I hope it doesn't take too long to heal for you.

[Liviam]

Your cuddle with your gorgoues little girl brought me to tears - so beautiful. Do daddy get his first hold?
The things we use at work for cracked/blistered nipples is called Mepliex. You can get a box of them at your chemist - they are absolutely fantastic!!! If you can't find them let me know and I'll be more than happy to find some and post them up to you.

[onthefly]

Oooh, baby cuddles

[Sally2]

Oh, sweets..... sitting here in tears.....happy tears & bittersweet tears for all that you had in your arms last night and all that you have lost from your womb.......
Strong, sweet little Heidi....