First Day at Home

The kids and I started the day with a trip to the bank, gas station, and mall for some special bottles for Claire. She didn't enjoy the car or stroller very much but we made it and got what we needed (and I ordered grocery delivery for the first time because there was no way she was going to last for that too but we did try!). She is adjusting well to being home and seems to be loving all of the attention now that we get to cuddle her without all of the tubes and cords. She was so worn out from our outing this morning that she slept all afternoon!

We have been trying to nurse at each feeding, she latches well but struggles with the coordination and strength to breastfeed so she isn't able to get anything yet. Our hope is that, with consistency in trying, she will eventually be able to do it! Since she's only on her third day of eating, we are still using colostrum but once we get past that, we won't have to thaw/warm each bottle (and we'll be able to leave the house for more than an hour at a time)! It takes her anywhere from 30-60 minutes to eat one ounce from the bottle, and she has to be held in a very specific way to support both her neck and jaw, so feeding her outside of the house isn't realistic yet but again, she will only get better with more practice and as she gets bigger. We have another appointment with the speech therapist for more feeding therapy to help her along as well. We are all just so happy to have her here in our arms <3! It's hard to believe that she was fighting for her life just 10 days ago.