Millie's Milestones

Millie has learned to cry.

Until now, she has only made squeaks, like a little mouse.

But this afternoon she found her lungs and let mummy know what she can do with them.

This came as a bit of a shock.

At first, mummy thought there was something wrong, but the nurses reassured her that yes, babies can be really noisy!

Another milestone was passed today.

The sensor strapped around Millie's foot to measure her heartbeat and oxygen saturation levels has been removed.

This means she is no longer 'plugged' into anything.

Instead, there is a sensor under Millie's mattress which monitors her breathing as she lies on top of it.

Mummy and daddy can now lift her out of the incubator without worrying whether they will accidentally pull out some vital tube or wire.

In the last 24 hours, Millie has put on 22 grammes.

Her feed has increased again to 29ml (5 1/2 teaspoons) every three hours day and night via the tube into her tummy.

This is supplemented with increasing amounts of milk straight from the breast which Millie seems to enjoy more and more.

Meanwhile, the nurses are gradually reducing the temperature in her incubator.

Once it is down to room temperature, and Millie can maintain her body temperature on her own, she will be moved into an open-top plastic box.

With a bit of luck, this should be within a week or so.

posted by Johann @ 10:56 PM