We are working hard to learn how to eat. They are fed every 3 hours through the feeding tubes but I attempt nursing them 2 times a day. The 2 feedings need to be spread apart over a 6 hour period so they aren't back to back because they will get to tired. So, I hang out at the hospital all day so I am not driving back and forth.
The twins are fed a certain amount based off of their body weight and when they nurse they have to eat at least 75% of what they would get through the feeding tube. If they do that during both feedings, they can move to 3 feedings a day. Those feedings will also be spread out. Once they get 75% at each of thoes feedings, they will then move to 4 feedings per day. After they accomplish the 4 feedings, they will then do a 12 hour request, then a 24 hour request, and then something called "On Demand". The 12 and 24 hour tests are back to back feedings. The "On Demand" is similar to the 24 hour request but they pull out the feeding tubes to make sure they are capable of doing it on their own. Once they pass that, they can go home. This sounds like a long process and it can be. Sometimes when certain babies get to their 4 feedings they can get through the rest really quick but it just depends on the baby.. I have talked to a few moms and there are some who have done the 24 hour test 5 times and fail and they have to go back to doing 4 feedings a day.
They say that babies do not understand how to suck, swallow, and breath until at least 36-37 weeks and twins are 2 weeks behind a single baby that is born. So our twins were born at 34 1/2 weeks. Development wise they would only be 32 1/2 weeks.
I am hoping that our little munchkins will catch on fast and pass it with flying colors when the time comes....
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