Still pumping

With all the excitement over Elijah's oxygen levels last week, and having to wait until today to get a pulse oxygen monitor and oxygen, I completely forgot to post the results of his second swallow the week before last.

The bad news is that I still don't get to try breastfeeding yet, and they won't test him again for three or four months to give him time to get through a good growth spurt. He successfully and safely swallowed every thickness of liquid barium they gave him until they got to water/breastmilk consistency. Then he aspirated the first swallow, without even coughing or crying or showing any signs of distress. His lack of reaction is probably the scariest part, because he could be swallowing all kinds of liquid into his lungs and we'd never know until it was too late. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would probably be a little skeptical and more bitter about having to pump for three or four months and beyond.

The good news is that his swallowing has definitely improved, and I don't have to thicken his breastmilk as much, just to whole milk or formula consistency. He's definitely got an appetite, too.

That's the skinny on our skinny little boy.