"normal baby"

jkipp82

DS was born 4 days ago as a 33 weeker (he was just shy of 34 weeks...but according to nicu nurse they don't count those days, they just go back to the start of the week he was on).  Anyways, ppl keep asking me if there is anything we need that isnt on our registry now that we have a preemie.  I asked the nurse about that because, while i know they wont send him home until he's ready, and *knock on wood* he hasn't really had any problems and just needs to learn to bottle/breast feed and grow, i didnt know if he will need anything special.  The nurse replied with "Oh no, when they send him home he'll be the same and have the same needs as a normal/any other baby"    Perhaps this is true, but from being on this board, it seems like preemies aren't "just like normal babies"

 

Any insight on this?  Or any suggestions for things i need or would be helpful?  My shower is on Sunday (as long as they discharge me by then...was supposed to go home today but my liver enzymes are still elevated).  Thanks!

ijack

It could go either way. Chances are really good that he will just be a normal baby when he comes home. 33/34 weeks is a great milestone to make it to and hopefully he'll just work on eating and growing and in a couple weeks you'll be able to bring him home and "enjoy" him!

kamcfarlane

i had DS at 32w6d (and i insist that everyone "count" those last 6 days - i worked hard for those!) and once he came home, he pretty much was a "normal" baby. he came home on an apnea monitor, so he couldn't wear pjs that zipped. and he has reflux (the pain is well controlled with meds luckily) so i had to buy every cloth diaper and terrycloth bib in the entire city. other than that, he didn't need anything different. congrats on your LO!