Question re carseats (& "hello" from a lurker)

GuitaristsGirl

Hope you don't mind a question from a lurker   If we are so blessed as to bring this baby home, there's a good chance that he will be a preemie.  That being the case, we're trying to balance being prepared with not counting our chicken before it hatches! 

We're trying to figure out the bare bones necessities that we would have to have right off the bat if/ when he comes home.  Obviously, a car seat.  But every car seat I've seen starts the weight limit at 5 pounds.  From what I've read it is fairly common/ not unheard of for preemies to be released prior to hitting 5 pounds.  What do you do?  Are there other carseats out there that I'm just not seeing?  Am I just wrong about when he might get to come home? 

Also, while I have your ear   I know I've seen you girls recommend a "must have" book on preemies.  If you could remind me of it's title, too, I'd appreciate it.

 Thanks! 

Heather1979

Here's teh book I appreciated: https://www.amazon.com/Preemies-Essential-Parents-Premature-Babies/dp/067103491X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258996794&sr=1-1

I have the chicco cortina keyfit 30, it has an insert for smaller LOs, although my LO was about 6lbs when she left. The NICU nurses also used blankets that were rolled up to help support smaller LOs, ask- they may show you.

HTH!

ssg73

The chicco key fit goes from 4 pounds and the Britax Chaperone is also from 4 pounds.  Many NICU babies go home below 5 pounds in a regular car seat with rolled blankets.

I remember reading about your story when I was pregnant and had never heard of hellp before and was so sad about how it all turned out.  That is until I developed hellp myself at 30 weeks.  There are many hellp mamas here on the board.  I hope you don't need to join us though.  Good luck.

SBMBride406

Hi there! I follow your blog and I'm so excited and optimistic for you!

We had the Chicco KeyFit 30 and brought DS home in it when he was under 5 lbs. It worked great. We used it until DS was 1 (we could have used it longer, since he is no where near 30 lbs even now at almost 17 months).

The pp listed the best preemies book. I also really liked the Dr. Sears Premature Baby book but Dr. Sears is a "love him or hate him" kind of guy...definately not for everyone.

Another great piece of "preemie gear" is the amby bed, which you'll read about in most preemies books/literature. If you're going to be in MD anytime soon, I'd loan you mine - its even blue! It worked great for us (we used it until he was 5 months and then switched him to a crib).

TriciaJoy

I just wanted to say that it's nice to see you, and I truly hope you get to go full term.

Robbie came home at 4.5 lb in our Graco Snugride. They were able to fit him into with blankets. He honestly only rode that way three times before he was over 5lb. They grow so quickly that it didn't take long for him to hit the weight mark.

GuitaristsGirl

Aw, thank you ladies, for your warmth and knowledge.  While I hope the best for this pregnancy, it's been reassuring to know this community is out there if/ when we need it  

mrspaul07

DD came home in a Graco Snugride at 4 lbs. She passed her carseat test with flying colors.

clyoungsey

Chicco is the cadillac for 4+ pounds, but we took both of our tiny babies home in a snug ride and they both passed the car seat test in it will flying colors.

The Essential Guide to  Preemies is a must read!!!

Hope you go FT and don't have to worry about it...

mek10976

It has already probably been mentioned, but the Chicco carseats are highly recommended for preemies and alot of us have brought LOs home in Graco Snugrides.  DS was 5lb. 7oz when he came home in his Snugride, but I know lstaylor used the Snugride for her guys and one was well below 5lb.

As for books, I found the Dr. Sears preemie book (can't remember the exact title) quite helpful.  The only thing I didn't like was that is went on and on about the benefits of BFing and I wasn't able to due to supply issues.  It just really upset me everytime I read "BFed preemies are healthier, smarter, better sleepers, etc".  Otherwise very informative.

SkypekWithoutAC

I would call your hospital before you buy anything. Ask the NICU people what you should do. We had a Snugride for DD, but they made us go out and get a Chicco b/c she was released under 5lb. Technically, she was under 4lb, too, but whatever. Hopefully you won't really have to worry about it, though.