We feed Braxton a ketogenic diet. Each day we mix up water, ketocal formula, oil, beneprotein, and similac formula according to a recipe from the nuero dietitian. Once mixed we keep the feed in the fridge, then use it all in Braxton's six feeds. We also keep his pump bag in the fridge in between feeds. Braxton has "bolus" feeds during the day, he has 110 ml over one hour, every three hours. At night he has a "continuous" feed of 220ml over six hours.
Here is how we feed our baby:
Here is how we feed our baby:
1) Measure the feed from the daily mixture. (We use only glass measuring cups as less of the feed sticks and when we heat the formula we don want chemicals leaching into his food.)
2) Boil water and heat the feed with the water. (Don't heat formula with a microwave)
2) Boil water and heat the feed with the water. (Don't heat formula with a microwave)
3) Add supplement(s) to the feed. (Each feed has different supplements scheduled by his dietitian)
4) Take pump bag out of the fridge. Once bag and feed are warmed, carefully pour the feed into the pump bag.
5) Remove as much air as possible from the bag then close the lid. Make sure the lid is closed evenly all the way around, if there are any edges still up, press down to snap them into place.
4) Take pump bag out of the fridge. Once bag and feed are warmed, carefully pour the feed into the pump bag.
5) Remove as much air as possible from the bag then close the lid. Make sure the lid is closed evenly all the way around, if there are any edges still up, press down to snap them into place.
6) Gently squeezing the "rain drop" to open the valve on the hose of the pump bag to remove any remaining air and move the feed all the way through the bag's hose. This is known as priming the hose.
7) Hook the circle part of the hose into the pump.
8) Gently pull the ends of the hose until the cartridge fits into the pump. Push down on it to make sure it's in all the way.
9) Close the pump's door. (If you forget this step the pump will beep at you, which it does to me all the time)
8) Gently pull the ends of the hose until the cartridge fits into the pump. Push down on it to make sure it's in all the way.
9) Close the pump's door. (If you forget this step the pump will beep at you, which it does to me all the time)
10) Velcro the pump bag and pump into the pump backpack. (The backpack make it easy to carry and hold baby while he's being fed. When hes older he could wear the backpack and eat while he plays).
11) Hold the on/off button to turn on the pump.
12) Check the rate and dose, for example our bolus dose is 110ml and rate is 100ml/hr while our continuous dose is 220ml and rate is 37ml/hr.
13) Make sure the volume is cleared to zero.
(The pump will count the volume it pumps as it goes, and will say "dose done" when it has completed. If you didn't add enough feed to complete the volume you programmed it will beep and say "no feed". It will also beep and message if there is a kink in the hose or an air bubble.)
11) Hold the on/off button to turn on the pump.
12) Check the rate and dose, for example our bolus dose is 110ml and rate is 100ml/hr while our continuous dose is 220ml and rate is 37ml/hr.
13) Make sure the volume is cleared to zero.
(The pump will count the volume it pumps as it goes, and will say "dose done" when it has completed. If you didn't add enough feed to complete the volume you programmed it will beep and say "no feed". It will also beep and message if there is a kink in the hose or an air bubble.)
14) If there is still air in the hose, you can hold down the "prime" button to push the feed through the hose.
15) Make sure the Gtube clip if closed (so nothing from the stomach can come out) and open the big end of the Gtube and insert the red tip of the hose securely into the Gtube. (Don't push the tip in too far or you will stretch the tube.)
16) "flush" the Gtube by syringing water into the small hole in the Gtube. We flush 10ml of water before and after each feed to make sure Braxton gets enough water throughout the day.
15) Make sure the Gtube clip if closed (so nothing from the stomach can come out) and open the big end of the Gtube and insert the red tip of the hose securely into the Gtube. (Don't push the tip in too far or you will stretch the tube.)
16) "flush" the Gtube by syringing water into the small hole in the Gtube. We flush 10ml of water before and after each feed to make sure Braxton gets enough water throughout the day.
17) Unclip the Gtube.
18) Press the "run" button on the pump and watch your baby eat! And the best part....he can eat while he sleeps. Thats one calm, happy, baby :)
18) Press the "run" button on the pump and watch your baby eat! And the best part....he can eat while he sleeps. Thats one calm, happy, baby :)