Sounds like you are getting excellent care and support. : )

Oh and, I cannot help but notice, he is the best dressed newborn I've ever seen!

He’s well-dressed thanks to his aunties! It’s funny because I never really expected to need many newborn clothes! I expected to just be home with basically a naked baby who would rapidly outgrow this stage. But they are really emphasizing keeping him warm here so my husband has to run home and wash our little stash frequently.

Actually when we got into paediatric emerge, no one told me that his body temperature was low. They kept loading him up with warm blankets and more warm blankets and heating packs and explaining to me that newborns have a hard time regulating their temperature and I was thinking, I guess I froze my baby? how did I miss this part of prenatal class? I thought newborns could just wear regular people clothes plus, like, a hat! They had him heated up like a Christmas goose. Now I realize it’s because they were worried about his core temperature, and they probably all thought someone else had told me he was low but I was completely clueless.

Unfortunately although this is a breast-feeding promoting hospital and most of the nurses are trained in basic Lactation support, I have been asking for a real Lactation consult since giving birth and haven’t been able to access that, so the lady today was a private consult (my postpartum doula). She was awesome though! She said Em has a really bad tongue and lip tie (as I suspected) and gave me some tips to deal with it until I can get it snipped. Releasing tongue ties is still controversial here so you have to hit upon the right paediatrician to get it done.

I was thinking the same about his wardrobe. He has very nice clothes! Although you could put him in the hospital garb and he would still be beautiful.

I'm so happy to hear of more negative tests. I'm happy too you had the support of a lactation specialist. Please have a good night tonight, rest as much as you can. Keeping you both in prayers.

He’s precious Robo! Congrats!

He gets more and more beautiful each day. What a cutie! I'm sorry you're going through all this, but it seems like he is in wonderful hands.

Thinking of all of you.

Jo

I had not checked in for a while...What a gorgeous baby!!! Congratulations, and I hope you all go home soon!!!

I'm so glad you found a good lactation consultant. With my first the lactation consultant came automatically sometime after the birth (and she consulted by phone after I went home, also useful). but 5 years later with my second the hospital had reduced a lot of services and one had to request it, but of course you were sent home earlier, too, before you knew you needed it. Grr.

Emmett's looking better already, that little smile (unless it's gas lol)

I also was behind on this thread-- so very glad you've had such great support. Thinking of you all and hoping you are all home soon!

It isn't going to take you long to figure out what is normal for Emmett and what isn't. And if you think something isn't normal make sure you speak up and let your "Momma Bear" out.

It really is a learning curve though isn't it. This all brings back such memories. Give the little guy a hug for me.

Great news, all of his tests came back negative and we are free from the hospital on a day pass. We have to go back in tomorrow for another EKG and a weigh in.

We were in isolation in the hospital and on 24h monitoring so Em couldn’t even leave the room, it felt great to walk into fresh air tonight.

Emmett enjoying life on the outside.

That is great news! Welcome home!

So cute! On his way home where he belongs, with his loving Mommy. What great news this afternoon. Please have a peaceful night. He's doing so well, we'll plan on tomorrow just being formality before putting all this behind you.

Great news!!!

What? No snow there yet? Aww, I bet you cannot WAIT to get home. Sleep well.

Excellent!! I am so happy to see Baby Emmett all bundled up heading home. I hope you all get plenty of rest tonight.

The worst is behind you. Keep us posted.

Um...Robo, in the babies manual it specifically states not to leave newborns unattended next to roadways lol. Anyhoo, glad all is well and you can enjoy being a mommy in the comfort of home.

Emmett I've been thinking of you all day you cutie. So glad you are able to fly the hospital Coop. :-). ;-) I hope you are now getting enough sleep and it's great to know you will be getting enough to drink.

Ps Don't tell your mom how bad it will be when you start getting teeth... Or learning to Drive...

Such great news that he's got a clean bill of health so far.

Also I'm glad the lactation consult finally came through. How did they address the issues with his ability to latch. I'm curious. :-). I hope you don't mind my asking and if you do mind I totally understand. Regarding his lower temperature perhaps it's because he wasn't feeding well enough? I've always thought it takes energy to generate heat :-)

Yes I started supplementing with formula on the first night home from the hospital: he was losing weight which is normal but because he was so very sleepy and because he wasn’t giving me diapers I was concerned. I would definitely do it again anytime, I’m not fussy about formula versus breast milk. So we did about 24 hours of him feeding as much as he wanted and then us giving him a bottle of formula and he drank about a half ounce to a ounce each time. So I think he needed it. For some reason I just wasn’t making a lot of colostrum. Not that they need much but it was probably a combo of pretty low supply of that and my milk coming in a day late that he needed a little tiding over

When we were in the emergency room it was so busy and they were doing so many tests on him that he missed two feedings and by the time we were admitted he was looking pretty sunken and his fontanelle was really obvious.

He was always latching well but the latch is really painful especially on one side and I was already having quite a bit of damage after “night 2” which is something they don’t tell you about until it happens, cluster feeding from heck. The easiest tip she gave me was to forget about doing that the whole sandwich thing and instead indent the breast on his nose side about an inch and a half out with one finger – – the flipple. Seems to work like a charm. Also, with his tongue tie he really can’t latch it all when he’s upset because his tongue gets stuck in the middle of his mouth. So we were having a conflict because I had to get him upset to wake him up enough to feed, with a diaper change or whatever but when he was upset he had a much harder time.

She also got me a shield that I can use on the damaged area until his tongue tie is fixed And I was shocked but he really doesn’t care at all and took to it right away.

Finally she said that babies with tongue ties often prefer to nurse very reclined as opposed to with mom standing or sitting upright, this works for me because I’m very lazy so I’m happy to have an excuse to hop in the recliner for many hours a day!

Until you go through things like this, you don't understand just how complicated things can be! But, at the same time all too common.

You are a diligent mom. Thanks for the update.

Oh Robo, I just now saw you had your baby! Swoon, he's adorable! I had to lol about how you froze him. LOL.

I'm glad you got to talk to a doula for nursing help. I was the local leader of La Leche League back when they were super popular, and breast feeding isn't as easy as it sounds.

Ask your doula if she approves of pacifiers. My 2nd had a strong sucking reflex (I told this story earlier) and I ended up with a torn nipple, and it also got infected. The pacifier was a God send. The pain was unbearable when he first latched on.

Hugs to you!

I tried one on night two because he was going a little too nuts And he wasn’t super into it but I think I’ll keep trying because he definitely loves latching onto things. I don’t think confusion is going to be a problem and I do like that pacifiers are associated with a lower risk of SIDS.

Great visit with the paediatrician this morning and we maybe discharged tomorrow for good but we are allowed to leave today again which is great! Need to do an EKG tomorrow.

Eyes are out this morning! It’s nice to see him have a little awake time. I realize I may regret this later!

OMG. That last photo is a beauty...I am so wanting to hold him.

So glad he’s passing all the tests and that you can take him home in between. He is such a little cutie!

Eyes are out this morning! It’s nice to see him have a little awake time. I realize I may regret this later!

That impish look tells me you're right. He's a little charmer :)

I am just getting back to this thread. I am so glad that Emmett is doing better and could go home. Breast feeding sounds so easy until it isn't! I had a very difficult time with my second one, I used to wince when he latched on it was so painful. I did eventually heal and things got better. I hope you are getting some rest. Love this last pic of him.

Baby Emmett looks like he will keep you on your toes! What a fantastic sparkle in his eyes.

"and I was thinking, I guess I froze my baby?" Too funny! He is so cute. Sorry you've had such a time with his first homecoming. If you're concerned with the lip/tongue tie procedure you might be interested in blogger Katie Bower's experience (Bower Power blog site). Two (three?) of her five children had tongue ties and she blogged about the subject. Could you please plant a big smoochie on one of those squishy little cheeks from me?

Smell his head for me. He's a real stunner, glad he's feeling better.

Your son is beautiful. How wonderful that's he's doing better and putting on weight Now that he's a few days old can you seen a resemblance to you or Mr. Robo - or any other family member? It's amazing how a baby's look can change - one day he looks just like the proud Papa and then one day you look and swear he has great Aunt Agatha' eyes.

It's amazing how a baby's look can change

Isn't that true Marie! My youngest son looked like a long skinny startled bug when born and my oldest son had a humongous gnome head. Now the youngest looks nothing like his newborn self and my eldests body grew proportioned to accommodate his head.

Robo, your wee baby is just so cute. He looks like a real thinker already. Do you have bold black and white patterned toys/objects? My 2nd son had those thinker eyes and loved bold black and white shapes and patterns. I made him a b&w mobil and that would mesmerize him. My oldest seemed to enjoy touch and texture more. Its amazing how different they were as newborns.

What a beautiful baby! Congratulations to your whole family!

What an ordeal for Emmett and for you (and DH.) I am just seeing this now and can only imagine how stressful this has been for you. I am so glad you found a lactation specialist who zeroed in on the tongue-tie. The latching on is such an important step in nursing a baby, but so tough on the nipples.

Try nipple cream to prevent cracking. Lansinoh is a brand that's recommended in the US. I am so glad you are home, where everything is more comfortable. Thinking of you (((Robo))) as you navigate this journey.

Wow little Emmett is looking very awake and alert :-). lovely eyes :-) He has a very good gaze.

thank you for explaining what the Doula told you to do. I'm so glad there are still people who help with nursing issues. I had to lie down and feed my youngest as my oldest wanted to always cuddle in my arms too. It was the only way I could have both my children in my arms and not get crushed.

I used vitamin E and A mixed together to help when I had nursing problems from my babies. But because I was paranoid about their having too much vitamin e and a I would wash it off after it had a chance to absorb and help with the pain reduction. It worked very well for me.

Following your journey--what a precious little guy you have! Makes me want to nuzzle those soft cheeks! Hope you get a clean bill of health soon.

Awwww, bright eyes and such kissable cheeks! He’s a gem!

Where are his toe pictures? I love nibbling on baby toes! He has such an adorable face. You must be in heaven.

Emmett passed his EKG today But lost another 100g Which is unacceptable to me, so we have started both breast-feeding and supplementing with formula. In other news now mama has an infection so I am being readmitted to the women’s side, while Emmett is admitted to the children’s! Never a dull moment. It certainly has been a low point And I don’t have a lot of resources left due to the fever, so my husband has been a champ with baby care and I am lying in a hospital bed which is exactly where I want to be right now! Really makes me have a lot of respect for nicu parents who have to do this type of thing for weeks.

Oh Sarah, I am so sorry to hear you are both in the hospital. I hope it helps that we are all sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. Hope you both feel better very soon.

I am sorry to read this news. Sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers to you both.

Sarah and Emmett, I am so sorry for this unexpected turn of events. Sending lots of cyber hugs and prayers.

Sarah, I'm so sorry for this news. You've waited so long for this, I'd hoped it would all go seamlessly. But - Upward and Onward! Get some rest, care, and knock that fever back. I'll keep you in prayer that you and Emmett are both home, happy and healthy very quickly. I know he's in good hands and so are you.

Babies do lose weight after they're born but I don't remember how much.

I hope you are both on the mend soon. This must be so disappointing to you all.

But maybe this means that you'll sail through the teen years.?

I'm thinking of you and will check in `later to see how you're both doing. Hugs to Mr. Robo, he must be so worried.

I am so sorry for this setback, Sarah. I hope the nurses and doctors take good care of you and Emmett and you get the rest you need. Applauding papa!

((((((Hugs))))))

What a bummer. But remember, it's only temporary. You'll both be home again and well in no time. My best to you.

Robo hugs to you. It sounds like Emmett is really breaking you in quickly just in case you might have thought you still had some control over your life. Must be part of his impish charm.

So sorry to hear this. Hoping you both get home together soon. One suggestion. When my daughter and her baby boy were in separate hospitals, I took the pillowcase she slept on to her baby so he could smell her. I did that daily as long as they were separated. May sound corny but we felt it helped and the nurses had no problems with it.

You and Emmett are in my prayers!