*there's a crib and a bottle

Will started out the new year with a
new bed!

And his
first bottle!

Today was Will's first attempt at using a bottle! We offered him 2 CCs of milk. To give you a frame of reference, 5 CCs would equal 1 teaspoon. Although the amount is tiny, we think he swallowed a good bit.

Will is still on the Vapotherm, but they seem to have found the ideal flow and oxygen setting and his spells decreased dramatically over the past couple of days. His first feeding went a little better than expected, although not much is expected for awhile. Learning to eat on his own exclusively should be a pretty slow process over the next couple of weeks. He will keep the feeding tube to help. Since Will is learning the required preemie suck/swallow/breathe a little later than most, it's possible he'll catch on quickly. We've been warned that the progress can be unpredictable, such as finally taking a whole bottle and then taking very little or no milk on his own and getting the next few feedings through his tube.

He's on his way home!

Happy 2010 everyone!

~Jody