We visited David today and found that he is continuing to improve. The doctor has discontinued gavage feedings, so David has to take all his nutrition by bottle. That's a good thing, since it is an indication that David is nursing well, and is one more step closer to coming home. Another test he has to take today is the Car Seat Challenge!(PDF) Sounds like a game show huh? Well, it seems premies have harder times in car seats. I think it is a matter of weaker necks and chests being strapped down. No one could really tell me, except that premies have a harder time. But the test consists of placing David in the car seat, strapping him in, and placing a pulse-ox on him. Then we watch the pulse-ox for an hour to check for a decrease in his oxygen saturation. For the lay persons, we need to make sure he is breathing well. This is usually done a couple of days before discharge, so here's hoping David comes home Monday or Tuesday.
The doctor also asked us to bring in a new bottle with a wider nipple. One of the weaknesses David has is getting a good latch, which is partly due to the bottles/nipples used in the NICU. They are very narrow, more like a pacifier. So we went out during the nursing rounds, and picked up an Avent set. These have been the most recommended by the lactation consultants at the hospital. Of course, since we were there, Julie nursed him instead, so we'll have to wait to see how the new bottle works, and how David did with the car seat challenge. The first picture of David today show him just after nursing. He's milk drunk. Then he moved to my belly, and liked my heart beat.