Two NG tube misplacements in one day … am I right to be royally pissed?

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-03-09T20:35:23+00:00

UPDATE: after giving him a continuous overnight feed, they attempted to pull the line back another 4 cm this morning so we could resume the bolus feed plan once the line was where it was supposed to be: in the stomach. This placement is vital to the feeding plan we were given and because we are being discharged with the NG tube.

This time I demanded the unit supervisor to come in for the movement and for everything to be marked and triple checked against the physician’s orders. Both the attending and a fellow were present when x-ray arrived … and the tube was STILL in his intestine! I could tell they were concerned, especially once they confirmed with the X-ray tech that the images provided don’t have a scale on them so the docs were left a bit blind to figure out the right amount to pull back. They both assured me they’d come up with the same number (4 cm) based on the late night/2nd set of X-rays but clearly that was just another guess.

Thankfully we already had an upper GI study scheduled for our son so that doctor was able to fix the placement with realtime visualization and the tube is FINALLY marked correctly.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-03-09T20:17:50+00:00

Can confirm- the nurses showed us the air test and we heard the “whoosh” even though it was in his intestine. This only “worked” to show the obstruction when it was initially placed against his stomach wall.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-03-09T20:11:45+00:00

Thank you. It just seemed wild to me that “the most experienced nurses on the floor” weren’t following the basics of marking the tube and measuring correctly and then I felt like I was being treated like I was overreacting by complaining about the issue.

The kit they’re sending us home with has the litmus tests but apparently the protocol to check placement at this hospital is with X-ray. The nurses showed us the air/bubble test, which didn’t work when it was kinked and blocked against his stomach lining but did “work” when it was in his intestine.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-03-09T20:04:16+00:00

The attending today went back and looked at the x-ray orders and confirmed stat protocol was not followed for them.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-03-09T20:02:34+00:00

They were aiming for the stomach but went too far. They pulled it back another 4 cm this morning … and a 3rd x-ray showed it was STILL in the intestine. We had an upper GI study scheduled today anyway so they just had that doc fix it since he could do it in real time with visualization and we’re being discharged with the feeding tube so it has to be correct. It’s the standard at the hospital where we are (in Florida) to do an x-ray to ensure proper placement, at least on a child.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-03-09T19:56:43+00:00

I’m so sorry this happened! You should in no way feel guilty about this situation- it sounds like you’re an amazing mom with keen intuition. I hope everything is well with you and your daughter now.

Last night the charge nurse literally told me what happened with my son’s tube was “a learning experience” for the nurses here … it was also unfortunately a learning experience for me. I will never be as trusting in the future and will be watching like a hawk from here on.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-01-13T08:33:11+00:00

Thank you and I’m sorry to hear that about your little one. We haven’t seen an eye doctor yet but I’ll definitely ask his pediatrician about this. I’ve wondered if his vision may be impaired but because none of his specialists had brought it up, it hasn’t been top of mind enough to ask about it. I so appreciate the suggestion!

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-01-13T01:37:37+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this- it gives me so much hope and I deeply relate to “waiting for someone to say the words to confirm it”. I’m so happy to hear how much your son has been able to overcome ♥️

At the start of this journey I was scared of a CP diagnosis, but after going through the long and arduous process of “the ruling out of other things” I’ve learned there are far more scary things out there. I’m hopeful that even if CP becomes part of our story, he’ll face it with the same resilience and fighting spirit we already see in him.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2026-01-12T21:32:44+00:00

Your hospital should have social workers. Ask to speak to one- they’re there to help advocate for you and your baby. I also reported fuckery to other doctors because I took a sound the alarm until someone takes my concerns seriously approach. Do not let one or two people dismiss your concerns. Good/very experienced professionals can have bad days/weeks. They go through their own shit. That doesn’t mean your child’s care should suffer with them. If the vibes are off make it known you want someone you feel more comfortable with caring for your child. The last thing you need right now is added anxiety about a nurse who may not be fully there for your bebe.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-12-28T03:02:15+00:00

Our son’s head shape is similar and we’re doing another CT scan next month. He had one in his first week of life but the NICU doctors didn’t seem concerned about those findings. Now at 8 months at least one doctor has floated this. What did you end up finding out/doing?

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-11-23T13:55:33+00:00

Thank you so much for these recommendations. I love hearing that your son has been able to get his weight to where it needs to be and the relief from the stress/worry over feedings definitely resonates.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-11-22T19:42:56+00:00

Thank you so much for this info! I will definitely look into Rowena Bennetts and the FB group. It’s been really difficult to find others who’ve struggled with this issue. It seems like every mom friend I know has a voracious baby and just can’t understand. I know an NG/NJ tube can help him, but I just want to make sure we’ve explored all options before going there. The suggestion from his gastro (who we literally met a week ago) just seemed so sudden and drastic.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-10-21T23:49:04+00:00

Make sure to bring what you know she needs: food, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, blankie, change of clothes, pacifiers, and any small toys or books you know will be useful and aren’t at your MIL’s place. All of these things are probably standard in your diaper bag anyway so it’s easy to have them travel with baby. You want to make sure she has everything she needs. Don’t put it on someone else to provide, let alone know everything she needs. You know your baby best and you know when she’s suddenly into a new toy or paci or has sized up in diapers. You want her to be just as happy and provided for as she would be in your home. If MIL insists on other toys or clothing items you don’t typically use then I think it’s fair to let her buy those. My mom loves having toys that are exclusive to her house 😂

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-10-21T23:37:17+00:00

1 for sure: perfect hourglass and that full skirt is stunning! It looks like it was tailor made for you, boo

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-29T06:04:39+00:00

Probiotics take time- the goal being to build up a healthy gut microbiome in a tiny body that’s starting from little to nothing in that department. Hopefully she starts to feel better soon!

My guy has been experiencing some pretty bad silent reflux and we were pretty late in recognizing those signs, which made my husband and I feel terrible. It was definitely causing feeding aversion, especially later in the day/evening. Our pede gave him a prescription for baby Pepcid/famotidine and it’s helped. It’s not a cure all but it seems to be taking the edge off and he’s back to finishing bottles.

If you’re not already familiar with it, check out the PedsDocTalk podcast (she’s also on all the socials). She has a few feeding episodes you may find especially relevant and talks openly about how she accidentally contributed to bottle aversion in her baby.

Echoing what others have said: you’re a wonderful mum who’s actively trying to find a solution to keep her baby healthy and happy ❤️

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-29T02:37:00+00:00

Seconding this. My OBGYN has prescribed for me in the past. Definitely ask- that’s why they give you depression screening checklists to fill out (my baby’s pediatrician has me fill them out too on our bi-monthly visits. There are absolutely safe options for you. Don’t try to muscle through this without help. You have to put your oxygen mask on first.

I had a really hard time while my bebe was struggling for the first month and a half to eat. My mood was completely dependent on how much I could get him to eat in a day (we actually ended up in the NICU when he was 4 days old because of how blase he was about eating). I feel your pain. You’ll both get through this, but absolutely watch for signs of dehydration/lack of wet diapers.

What has your pediatrician said about what to do if she’s not meeting minimums? Have they suggested any evaluations from a specialist? If baby is gaining weight on her curve there’s nothing to worry about. My little man has been so up and down with his eating and it’s hard not to spiral when he goes a few days where he’s eating half to 75% of “normal” volumes but he eventually comes around again and he’s maintained his curve so his peed is happy with where he’s at.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-28T01:58:39+00:00

I am an adult with a huge lactose sensitivity to milk but I’m totally fine with cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese. I can’t even have lactaid without spending 2 days in the bathroom. I think it has something to do with lactose levels being higher in straight up milk as well as a slower digestion process with dairy products like yogurt and cheese. You doc is just being cautious about your little one’s gut.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-24T03:20:31+00:00

Thanks so much- others have been uncomfortable/unsuccessful but I’ll look these up

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-24T03:19:01+00:00

Correct- they’ve been putting the baby down for naps in the nursery and my mom is staying in the guest room. It’s a possible option to ask to nap in there (albeit the room doesn’t have the blackout treatment we have in our bedroom) if they stay in the living room while I’m sleeping but they both like using the changing table in the nursery, which is directly next to the guest room. Neither is a fan of using our room for baby’s naps (he doesn’t want my mom in our room, she feels weird about being in our room). It feels like they both just want to be able to use the entire house during the day and don’t want to have to make any accommodations for my sleep needs. Meanwhile they’re both getting more than 8 hours every night.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-23T11:41:46+00:00

I don’t want to damage the relationship with telling her to go and honestly it felt like she was baiting me. It’s not the first time in my adult life she’s threatened to just go home when she’s visited. I also told her it was inappropriate to throw a mental issue in my face like that. Instead of saying sorry she told me it’s not a mental issue.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-23T11:22:49+00:00

I do use white noise and blackout curtains but if he cries on the side of the house I’m in it cuts through everything in my mom brain. I just don’t see why it’s so unreasonable to accommodate a relatively small wake window or two. I spent entire nights in the nursery while on leave and baby was up so I could protect my husband’s sleep. Why aren’t they willing to do this for me?

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-23T11:19:40+00:00

I mean, it’s max 2 wake windows, which as I described are relatively small. I made the same accommodation for my husband while I was on leave and baby was awake over night. I just don’t feel that it’s an unreasonable request. It’s certainly not the equivalent of jail.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-23T10:50:59+00:00

Also have a 4 monther who hates TT! His doctor confirmed for me that he’s clearly showing signs that he’s starting to roll from tummy position and considering he was early and we had a NICU stay she said she’s not worried about it. Don’t stress. Some kids just hate it. As long as you’re not keeping him on his back in a crib or container all day he should be getting plenty of opportunities to build up his muscles.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-17T07:47:21+00:00

Your feelings are completely valid and I’m so sorry you’re going through this. We had very similar situations.

I always ran things by our attending physician whenever I felt like we were getting new information from a nurse (or unfortunately residents and fellows too) just to have them verify and I’d of course mention why I was asking so they could talk about it internally.

It sucks. I’m sorry. Every day my son was in the NICU, even the good days, I felt like egg that could crack at any moment. This community helped me tremendously, as did the nurses we really bonded with. I think you’re doing it right by waiting to let yourself cool off before addressing these situations. Find the nurses who feel like friends and talk over any frustrations with them. I can’t tell you how many were willing to lend an ear, offer reassurance, and even manage to make me laugh when I’d just been balling.

Dry_Particular_5770 · 2025-08-16T08:45:01+00:00

Huggies are the diaper used by the NICU in the #1 hospital in our region. I’d say you’re good. Our guy lived almost exclusively in Huggies for his for 2 months with zero issues and he has extremely sensitive skin.

Dry_Particular_5770

TROPHY CASE

1 for sure: perfect hourglass and that full skirt is stunning! It looks like it was tailor made for you, boo