Tales from NICU Journal, week nine of thirteen
26th August 2024
Benjamin Bunny is having a good week!
After a long stay in intensive care, he has now been moved to the High Dependency Unit (HDU), which is a step down from ICU. It’s a welcome change—his new room feels brighter and calmer. Maybe because we’ve been here for a while now, they’ve given us a lovely spot by the window, which makes a huge difference.
Breathing Progress & Precious Cuddles
One of the biggest milestones this week has been Benjamin starting to wean off his CPAP breathing support. Right now, he’s managing two 30-minute sessions without it each day, and we’re soaking up every precious moment of cuddle time. It also means we get to see his little face properly, and we’re pretty sure a smile is on the horizon.
The plan is to gradually increase the time he spends off CPAP to see how he copes. Once we have a clearer picture of how he reacts, the respiratory team will decide on any long-term support he might need. Fingers crossed he keeps making these great strides.
Feeding & Growing Like a Champ
Benjamin is still being fed through his tube, but now he’s on a three-hour feeding schedule. The best part? He wakes up hungry and ready for his feeds, which the doctors and nurses say is an excellent sign. He’s getting into a good rhythm of eating and napping, just like a typical baby should.
I’m still expressing milk every three hours (yes, even through the night!), and something incredible is happening—each session, I produce exactly 60ml, which is precisely the amount Benjamin is being fed. The human body is truly amazing!
A Big Step: From Incubator to Cot
Another exciting development—Benjamin has transitioned to a cot and is now wearing baby grows! The physio team has been amazing at helping us normalise things as much as possible. Our brilliant (and wonderfully bossy) physio, Pip, keeps reminding everyone that he’s nearly eight weeks old and not a tiny premature baby like most of the little ones here. That means his needs are different, and we’re so grateful for their advocacy and support.
A Village of Love & Support
We couldn’t do this without our incredible support system. My mum has been a lifesaver—helping with Esme, bringing us food, keeping me company, and even cleaning our room at Ronald McDonald House. Rachel has been an absolute star as well, staying over to help with Esme, keeping our home running, and making sure we’re always stocked with delicious home-cooked meals. And then there’s my brother Jack, who lives just 10 minutes away but sadly isn’t allowed to visit—yet he still finds ways to help and keep us well-fed. Thanks to this incredible trio, we’ve eaten so well throughout this entire journey!
A New Routine
Ed went back to work this week, which has made things feel quite different. Up until now, we’ve spent so much time together, navigating this experience side by side. Now, we’re in full “divide and conquer” mode, and while it’s been a big adjustment, we know it’s the right move.
As we look ahead, we’re feeling hopeful. Every little milestone brings us closer to bringing our little bunny home, and we’re holding onto that thought with everything we have.
