Kangaroo Care

Today was another great day! We went up to visit Carter in the morning and he was sunbathing under the bili lights (phototherapy to treat jaundice) with his cool purple shades on.

The doctor said that he was actually doing a little TOO well. By that, he means that Carter was doing so well with his feedings that they kept increasing the amount (he has to get to a certain level of eating with the feeding tube before switching to a bottle) - but they don't want to increase it too quickly or it could cause some intestinal problems, so they cut back a bit. He is considered a "Feeder and Grower" - those are the two things that he has to work on, but pretty much everything else is great.

The nurse then talked to me about starting Kangaroo Care. Instead of holding the baby all wrapped up in a blanket (which actually means they have to use their energy to maintain body temperature instead of using it for growing) - Kangaroo Care utilizes skin to skin contact. The baby wears just his diaper, and he is held directly on the chest of mom or dad, thereby keeping warm from the parents' body heat. We returned to the Special Care Unit at 2pm and I "Kangarooed" for an entire hour. He seemed so happy and peaceful (and it sure helped me feel more like mom!).

The nurse then asked if we wanted to change his diaper. I told Mike he could if he wanted to since I just got to hold Carter for an hour, but he let me do it. I know many people think "why would you WANT to change a diaper?", but when baby is in Special Care, it's those little things that make you feel like parents. Carter did NOT like his diaper being changed, but when I was finished he grabbed onto my finger and calmed down immediately.

Thanks to everyone who has visited and/or sent their wishes and prayers. It's so nice to know that we have such wonderful support during this difficult time.