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Cooper has had a feeding tube installed and will remain in the NICU until his weight loss stops and he's eating enough to sustain and grow. We just got word that he will be in the hospital for at least five more days, making the total time spent in the hospital nine days.

A baby needs to be able to take in enough calories by feeding, while limiting the number of calories burned while doing so. If a baby tries to feed, or is awake too long while feeding without taking milk, the baby will burn more calories than she will gain. Feeding is one of the most energy consuming things a baby does in his life.

All babies lose a little weight after they are born, but is expected to begin gaining weight after a day or two. Once Cooper does that and is consuming enough via a bottle or breast to sustain growth, he will be able to come home. This type of behavior is completely normal for a pre-term baby and it will get better. Cooper is actually doing much, much better than most babies born at the same gestation level.

The feeding tube allows Cooper the benefit of the calories without expending the energy needed to feed. The idea is a feeding tube will allow him to grow and get stronger so he can feed enough to sustain.