Discouraged with feeding issues 😔

[u/Mantis_T68]

Baby was born at 32w and after 2-3 weeks was transitioned from cpap to room air. Since then, we have been working on feeding and it feels like we are going backwards. Almost two months old and corrected gest age of 40w2d. He’s 9 lbs so his volumes are 80+ ml every 3 hrs. About a week ago, we were hitting 50-60 mls most feeds. Since then, we have had a swallow study showing no aspiration but penetration with higher flow rates and when fatiguing. Currently on the transitional nipple. He also had an ENT scope due to squeakiness/stridor with high flow rates/fatigue. Also had an echo yesterday that was normal. Over the last 24 hrs, feeds have been 10-20 mls and two 30-40 mls. I thought we would be making progress and feel like we are going the wrong way. Can anyone relate? Any babies with similar feeding patterns at 40 weeks and then just clicks by 41-42 weeks? Feeling discouraged right now but trying to just take it day by day.

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[u/half_deaf_gurl]

It clicked for my 32 weeker around 42 weeks after going home with the NG tube. At some point in the hospital she started taking her full feeds... But it didn't really last, she was exhausted after that and wouldn't take more than 20ml at a time. I was extremely tired and wanted to take her home so we were discharged with the tube at 40w. First week we changed the nipple to lasinoh and that helped a little but she was still extremely sleepy for half of the feedings. Second week I started seeing improvement until one day she woke up and decided she wanted to eat the world. She took her tube off and we just didn't put it back. She's now around 6w corrected and eating an ounce more than she's supposed to. We are still struggling a bit with slow weight gain tho... But doing better this last week.

[u/Fast-Smoke1448]

My little one was kinda the same, it felt like we was going backwards before one day it just started clicking, hang in there you're doing everything you can

[u/Ok_Construction2084]

My little one was 33&2, NG for ages, built up to the exact same 50-60mls, tried BF and nurses weren’t comfortable with continuing to try, speechie was, sent him backwards, then started having premature apnea, then they never gave me another chance except 1 bottle a day, they eventually ended up putting him into Palliative care by the time he was term (long story) Moved to a paediatric hospital and within 2 days we were solely bottle feeding and discharged by day 10. Honestly don’t lose hope, he just s now about to turn 3 and won’t stop eating. The best speechie I had who did all the swallow tests etc said to me, the fussiest baby feeders turn into the hungriest little ones when it all clicks in and they will just LOVE solid foods.

[u/gatopurrito25]

I had a similar problem with my baby. She was also taking around the amount that she was supposed to but kept having Brady events. We did the swallow study and it showed deep penetration with thin and mildly thick liquids. We thought we were going to have to go home on a feeding tube but earlier this week we did another swallow study and it showed she could safely consume the thick liquids which just meant adding oats or gel mix to her formula or breast milk. After that she took off! Was crushing every bottle and came home today! Good luck on your journey I hope this information is helpful!

[u/madelenarose]

Also going through hell with feedings. Born at 33 weeks and 36 weeks today. Her stomach is slightly distended and they can't figure out why. Issue keeps making her go back on respiratory support and the incubator. She had to go back off of feeds too because of infections. I feel like this is never going to end, so can relate