The steroids seem to have worked the miracle that was promised. After about 3 days on the SiPAP, we started rotating in high flow Oxygen from a nasal cannula. It's just like what adults with breathing problems use. It doesn't use pressure to keep his lungs open like the SiPAP does, so he has to do almost all of the work of breathing himself.
The first day he lasted an hour and a half before tiring out (while I was holding him). The next day was two hours and then that night he lasted 4. On Friday morning, they put him on the high flow at 11am and he just never tired out! It's still possible he could go back on the SiPAP, but it seems that he's going to stay on the high flow for good! This is really amazing progress. The next step is to rotate the high flow with nothing. But I don't think we'll try that for awhile. He's also only on 21-25% Oxygen which is fantastic.
Today he's up to 8mls of breast milk every 3 hours. They'll keep increasing the amount each day as long as he tolerates it.
Mike asked one of the nurses to equate Dylan's progress to a grade in school. She said he's graduating elementary school. He'll graduate middle school once he's on full feeds (all breast milk, no IV supplements).
Oh! And he's been so stable, we got to move down the hall a bit. We were in the area with the highest need babies. It felt like graduating! Now we're just right on the edge of neighborhood A and soon, I hope we get to move down to neighborhood B with the "Feeder Growers."
Next week Dylan gets his first eye exam. Exposure to high Oxygen can cause problems with the retina which require surgery. Let's hope he's in the clear.
Now for lots more pictures!!
Funny face after first bath.
Daddy holding Dylan for the first time! : )
Wide awake. New doggy bedding made especially for Dylan by Nurse Jennifer.
Superman pose!
Aw, so so glad to hear that all is going well. What a handsome little fella! He is definitely so much more alert! Thanks so much as always for sharing, and we will continue to keep you guys in our thoughts!
ReplyDeleteGreat update and congrats on graduating! Wow, he looks so alert! That is so sweet his nurse made that bedding for him :)
ReplyDeleteHe's getting so big!!! I LOVE the first pic :) Thank you for the update. I've shared your story with my mom and she asks about you often as well. Praying for more positive updates like this, and for quick move to Neighborhood B :)
ReplyDeleteHe is so darn cute and especially with all the hair he has! Thank you for updating us!
ReplyDeleteI have been following your story for a while now. My son was born Nov 7th at 25 wks 2 days. He was 2.2 lbs and 13.5 inches. Reading this blog has helped me know what to expect. Right now little Henry is on the high frequency oscillator with 55% oxygen at 12 days old. He is having issues with low blood pressure and high blood sugars. Reading Dylans story has helped me so much and has given me hope that Henry will improve. I am so happy that Dylan is doing so great. Still praying!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to film him. I took a lot of pics, but forgot to film.
ReplyDeletewhat a great post! im thrilled to see him doing so well. keep it up, dylan!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! :)
ReplyDeleteNot sure if it's my own pregnancy hormones or just the fact that the little guy is so mighty adorable (and that there is also a baby boy in my belly hee), but it just made me cry :)
Go Dylan go! :)
Love!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's the strong baby I know he is. That's wonderful news. His face is starting to fill out you can tell. Keep growing strong baby Dylan!!!
ReplyDeleteHim and your husband look like twins in those pics!
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