NICU For Preemies

R.,

I had a preemie in 2004. he weighed 1 pound 4 oz at his lowest weight. he is a healthy wonderful little boy now and he is 3. the only thing i can tell you is stay stong and take care of yourself, dont get depressed, eat, sleep when you can and be with your baby as much as you can. if you can get a litte recorder read her a story or 2 and put it in the incubator with her. let her hear your voice. if you are pumping milk, pump like you are supposed to. dont just let it go or you will dry up. i personally believe my milk helped him sooooo much. if it makes you feel better go give blood for her. i did but they didnt use it. he didnt need it by the time i was able to give , but it made me feel better to do it for him just in case he needed it. remember she will get sick this maybe a small step back, but the steps forward will be fantastic when they come. if you need anything please call me. i know what you are going through!! people dont understand what a 1 pound baby looks like. feels like or even sounds like it is like nothing you have ever seen or ever gone through. she will probably get something called NEC. this is scary but dont worry its common in preemies this age. stay strong for her. smile and laugh when you are with her. when you finally get to hold her you will cry like a baby. I did but it was the best day of my life. ok im sitting here crying now. ( im a sap) believe me i know what you are going through! call anytime!
A.
365-8469/293-0724

Its never easy, my son was 2 months ealy and weighes in at 3 lbs. I just tried to make every visiting hours and kept busy, very busy.It will nevr be easy tell u can bring ur baby home just make sure u keep busy but and keep holidng and visiting ur baby, it makes alot of difference when ur with ur child even thought u cant take her home. I wish u all the luck and hope evrything will be ok. she will be home soon just remember that..

HI R.:

My now three year old was a 32 wk preemie so I understand what somewhat you're going through. The best advice I can give you is to join an online group of preemie moms. It's always better when you can reach out to someone that is walking in your shoes at the same time. You can find some groups by searching on Google.

Don't stress too much about baby. NICU's these days are so well prepared to take very good care of our little ones. I don't know what I would have done without the NICU nurses. They were angels and are extra sensitive to the fact that you hate being away from your baby.

Hang in there! Baby will be home soon enough!

:-)

My son was born at 29 weeks and was only 3 pounds when he was born. He only had to stay in the NICU for a month but that still seemed like forever. Here is a wonderful website that helped me out a ton when my son was in the NICU: http://newbornsinneed.com/ It had contacts to other parents and can provide some items if you are at all in need for them also (the provided us with some clothing our son could wear while in the NICU since he was still too small to fit normal preemie sizes). Hope this helps a little, nothing will help much till you actually get to take your baby home with you for good.

both of my children were born premature. fortunately they werent that small but they had to stay in the NICU too. I will keep your family in my prayers. When your baby is ready kangaroo care is the fastest way to get her to grow and be able to go home. Your nurse will know what to do you basically take off your shirt and take off her shirt and let her lay on you chest. it is amazing how much better babies do when they have human contact.
Good luck and God bless

Prayer Darling. I am so sorry for your strife. It must be a very hard thing to go through. I don't know if you are a woman of faith. If not there is nothing to lose, only to gain. I will pray for you and I hope that everyone who reads this does as well. Take care.

Hello R.,

HI there. I kind of know what your going throw. My daughter was a month early and was in a nicu for 2 weeks. We were lukey we got to stay with her. Also we were lukey she did not have to stay any longer than 2 weeks. But the time she was in there was a nightmare. I know they let us take a small animal to put with her and they also let me take up a cross that way she new we were there even if we were not. I'm sorry that you have to go throw this. I would not wish this on anyone. But like the other mother said She will be home soon. But till that time just let her know how much you love her as much as you can wile you are with her. They also told me to take a book and read to her and to sing and talk to her. But most of all just Remember that she will be just fine in time and that God will keep her safe. I hope that she gets to come home soon. Please let us know how she is doing. I will be parying for all your family My God Bless you all.

K.

Just wanted to give you a ((((HUG)))) and let you know that you and your precious baby are in my thoughts and prayers!

No advice, but I will keep you in my prayers.

Hi R., I was not in your exact shoes, but I had a preemie as well who was just under five pounds when he was born and was in an oxygen tank for days. I don't know if you are a Christian woman, but just keep praying. Know that your precious angel is getting the best care she needs and is being well looked after and loved at the NICU. All of the tubes and tanks and wires can be deceiving because the contraptions obviously look like they are hurting your little one, but they are helping her grow by the ounce every day. Just think far ahead to the day when she will be in your arms and at her own home. Thank God that she is alive and working at getting home to you! My family's thoughts and prayers will be with you and yours.

I have been exactly where you are, and the bad news is... it doesn't get easy. Little One was born at 26 weeks, weighing 1 lb 12 oz. She was in the NICU for almost 3 months. once she was big enough to hold, I would go in and steal the biggest comfiest chair they had and snuggle her, read to her( I read her the Canterbury Tales).. anything to start forming that bond with you through touch and sound. If you can't hold her, talk to her and stroke her skin, tape record your voice to play when when you aren't there. Tke pictures and carry them with you.

I wish you the best of luck... I know how hard it is, but it does get better.