Preemie and Childcare Options

I have a son who was a preemie, born at 32 weeks, so not as severe as your child. The doctor actually told us it is better to have someone come into your home to take care of him until he is stronger. But, since your daughter is in daycare it would still be hard to keep him away from the germs. Is there anyway you can do a nanny share with another mom who has an infant. You could post something on Northside Parent Association if you are a member. I have two kids and watch another one in my home and I know if one of them gets sick, most likely all of them will get it before the first one is over it. You can go through sittercity to find a nanny or some nanny agencies. I know my son had to get synagis shots to provide him from getting Rotovirus which to a preemie is deadly. I choose to have a two college students come in every day and watch my son which I spend around $400-$450 a week. My son never was sick his first year, so the procautions were well worth it to me. Good luck with your decision

Congratulations on the birth of your son & I hope he's getting stronger everyday. As the mom of a preemie, I understand how difficult/overwhelming it all can be! Hang in there!
Unfortunately I don't think group day care is an option for you. The immune system is indeed compromised when babies are born early. Your son will be recommended for shots all winter (Synagis), which will help, but you still have to be on top of it. Yes, your daughter will also bring home germs, and so will you if you're out in the workplace, but these things can be mitigated with your diligence and control, and I think you give that up in the daycare setting.
Having someone in your home may be your best option for at least the first year/until your son has a chance to catch up to his actual age vs. developmental age. The social skills can wait! Consider also that he may have other ongoing health concerns (breathing or feeding issues, other illnesses, developmental delays). These all require more trips to the doctor in the first year, so you might have to rearrange your schedule anyway to accomodate these visits/care or find a trusted nanny who can handle it.
My son (born at 30 weeks) was 4.5 pounds when I brought him home after a one month stay in ISCU. I had just made the decision to try to stay at home right before I had him, and I'm really glad that I did. There was absolutely no way that I would have been comfortable with him in group daycare, and in fact, I probably would have had to pay great amounts for a nanny who I would have been comfortable with under the circumstances....and generally my son was healthy! But I knew in my heart that I was needed at home with my tiny guy - no job was worth it on a financial, emotional, or professional level to me!
Good luck & God bless your special miracle.

Hi,
I would agree would the other moms. My twins were micro preemies born at 25 weeks. weighing 1.3lbs and 1.9lbs. It is too risky to expose him. Preemies have very delicate lungs, even if he gets the RSV shot, he can still get a cold that can develope into bronchitis to pnuemonia. When my girls were release, one nurse told me to expect them to be hospitalized during the first year due to colds. Being that little and getting sick can really damage them. My girls went through so much in the NICU, last thing I wanted was for them to be hospitalized again. I made the decision to resign my teaching position and stay home. My husbands a cop, so were not rich but the babies were our priority. One baby came home on oxygen and had other issues...but my kids never got sick and were never hospitalized. If you have to go back to work try to find a relative or nanny that can watch your kids. Dont bring him into contact with alot of people when he comes home. It's not easy being a preemie mom, but before you know it he'll be running around...My girls are 3 now and life wasn't easy but they have caught up to their peers and are doing fine. I would offer to care for your kids, but my girls are starting preschool now and as a teacher I know its gonna be non stop colds..hope the info helps good luck
email me if you have any preemie questions ____@____.com

I would agree, if you can have a nanny or some such the first year, do so. My youngest was born at 29 weeks, my oldest was 4 and in preschool, so he was exposed to everything. We did the synargis shots as well, but still, he took much longer to get through colds that winter and had one where he needed a steriod to really get rid of it. After he turned one he was fine and now is perfectly normal at 2, but that first year I did notice a difference in his immune system.

Congrats on almost making it through the nicu period, that is really rough. Its so hard not having your baby home, along with all the other worries.