Ugh

Mom and Dad arrived at the hospital and found some new information that they had to process and contemplate. A discussion was had with a doctor and nurse about the plans for Archer moving forward. It was mentioned that he may need a "G-tube" (or a G-button) if he doesn't catch on with 100% bottle feeding, or if he is taking bottles well but doesn't gain any weight. This new tube would require surgery. If he has such a surgery then Archer has the possibility of coming home earlier. If not, then it could be four to six more weeks before coming home, and even then he still has the possibility of requiring a G-tube. This is all based on whether or not he learns how to take a bottle for every feeding, and is cueing for one. Archer's feeding order has only been on "whenever he is cueing" for about the last four days. Mom and Dad feel that this has not given him proper time to prove himself with bottle feeding, plus he started a few weeks later at bottle feeding than most preemies, mainly because he was on a ventilator for so long. Dad took this discussion and made it a mission to make bottle feeding a number one priority. Mom gave him a bottle at 8:00am and Archer drank all but 10 ml. At 11:00am Dad fed him and Archer drank all of it. At 2:00pm Dad fed him and Archer drank all of it. At 5:00pm Dad fed him and Archer drank all of it (with a short brady at the end). At 8:00pm Dad fed him and Archer drank half of it. Dad wanted to prove with correct timing and giving him the opportunity, Archer can take a bottle. Dad hopes that the nursing staff will take note of this and try just as hard, without pushing Archer over his limits. The hospital setting also makes it difficult for Archer to get good, uninterrupted, and much-needed sleep sometimes, resulting in fatigue by feeding time. Mom and Dad, along with the nurses, will try to ensure Archer is able to rest while still offerring him many opportunities to practice bottle feeding.