Paging Babycaps.

myfriendscallmemeg

So I know I disappeared back in July. But I came back because I'm desperate for advice for my friend.

To anyone with experience with NICUS or @babycaps My friend had a little boy 8 weeks early. A week and a half later he's doing so well and the only thing holding him back from going home is feeding. My friend is trying to Breastfeed and so she came to me asking advice on getting it to work better. He latches on fine, but only can nurse 2 minutes before getting too tired.

I suggested what I had read on TB earlier, more skin to skin, try to latch more often, etc.

She then tells me that she's only allowed to hold her little guy during his "cares" when the nurse comes in to change him, and check his temp. That's when she's allowed to nurse him. She can nurse him once in a 12 hour shift, and hold him twice in the 12 hours.

Is this normal? Should she be demanding more skin to skin time? Or more nursing periods?

I wish I could be more helpful to her, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

twinlove314

I'm not babycaps, and my only nicu experience is the 5 days my boys spent there, but that sounds a bit extreme for his only issue being feeding. The only time dh and i"weren't allowed" to be with the boys was during a 30 minute shift change twice a day and when the docs were doing rounds. I would definitely demand more time, how is the lo going to learn to bf if it's only allowed twice a day?

Edited: after rereading, only allowed to nurse once and held twice.

FeinBride09

Does her baby have any kind of tubes or central lines or anything at all through their nose/mouth/belly button? If so that could limit the holding/feeding. We had that with M when she was in the nicu for a week. But once her line through her belly button came out, there were no more limitations aside from shift change or if a new baby was being admitted.

Is there a lactation nurse/dept at her hospital who can help her both with the nursing and for fighting to get more time to try nursing? They will be her best advocates.

She should also speak with the head nurse or attending to determine the true reason baby is still there. If it's truly feeding/weight, is she pumping and giving them breastmilk too? That's what I was able to do. That way she can get her supply going and baby gets all it needs while they're trying to establish nursing.

myfriendscallmemeg

I'll suggest all of that to her. From what pictures are displaying, it looks like he has one tube in his nose.

I really appreciate your helpful advice. My heart broke for her this morning when she said she went from having her baby with her 24/7 to only a few hours a day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

myfriendscallmemeg

@twinlove314‌ that's per shift. Nurse once in a 12 hour shift, held twice in a 12 hour shift. It sounds cruel & unusual to me. (But I have very little/blocked out NICU experience)

twinlove314

The only reason I had to wait 2 days to hold "baby b" was because of his central line (in his bellybutton). I think the nicu nurse even called my room when it was taken out so I could come hold him for the first time. My heart breaks for your friend @NanaCook‌ , I hope she's able to at least get some answers asap

SomersIsles

Robert has serious respiratory issues which got worse when he was stimulated so we couldn't hold him until he was 4 days old. I didn't nurse him until he was maybe 6 days old (pumped in the meantime).

For Robert the reasoning behind those restrictions made some sense I guess. Has she asked why the restrictions are in place?

myfriendscallmemeg

@babycaps‌ thank you so much! I will pass all of this information on! She will greatly appreciate it. I do have good news though! Her little guy nursed for an extra long time tonight.

I really do appreciate all of the advice. Like @rad&co said, we're very lucky to have all your knowledge !!

myfriendscallmemeg

Just wanted to give an update— I forwarded all of her advice that was given and she was super grateful for it!
Her little guy has been a little champion fighter and is going home tomorrow! He has progressed weeks ahead of schedule and I'm so happy for them. But I'm also so extremely grateful for you ladies. Thank you so much!