week one of NICU complete! & question

Sept30Madison

Julia is doing really well.  She was born last Sunday. She was on CPAP for 2 days, high flow for 3 days and has been off any oxygen since Friday.  She's now up to 20 ml breastmilk every 3 hours by gavage.  They stopped TPN and antibiotics today and took out her PICC line. As of today, she's back up to an ounce over her birth weight (2lbs 13 oz). 

Other than the use of bili lights here and there, the only hiccup has been her high WBC (at the highest it was 74, now it's down to 53).  They think it's from an infection of the placenta/cord and that it will just slowly go down on its own. They did a spinal on Wednesday to rule out meningitis. Although they were very sure it would come back negative given that she had no symptoms, it was pretty scary waiting for the results.

Hoping that the rest of NICU is just feeding and growing.  This is going to be a long journey!

For those of you with more than one child, how do you juggle NICU time with time for the other child?  I've generally been at the hospital from 9-5 or so and then I go home and spend the evening with my almost 4 year old.  I have a feeling that this will be harder to juggle when Julia starts to try to breastfeed. Any tips?

vsalt31

No advise on managing two babies, but wanted to say that I'll be sending T&P your way!!

PhillyGal34

I'm a first time mom so no advice on juggling but congratulations on her progress and t&p for a speedy stay! 

urbanflowerpot

I'm glad she's doing so well! I'm a one & done, but can help a little with the question - when she starts BF'ing it will only be once/twice a day because they get so tuckered out. That will buy you some time - also I think most babes get to try BF'ing once 'big enough' usually around 34 weeks GA? 

DrRx

Glad to hear that Julia is doing better!  I don't have any advice about other children since Adalyn is my first.  I hope that the rest of your journey  is uneventful.

CTbride79

I'm a FTM as well so no advice on juggling 2, but glad she is doing well!  I hope the rest of your NICU stay is uneventful and she gets home ASAP :-) 

jcsntms06

When my second DD was born my oldest was 2.5, and I basically sent her to daycare from 8-4 and once she was home from daycare I would stay home with her. My DH would head to the NICU to spend time w/DD#2 in the evening. This worked for awhile, but by the end of the 1st week, DD#1 started to act out.

With BFing we mainly only BF when I could be at the hospital and then she was bottlefed my pumped milk. Obviously I couldn't be at the NICU 24 hours a day. 

Praying for your LO. Please keep us updated. 

JuliaJAG

Congratulations on not just a week down, but also on Julia doing so well!! That is fantastic!! I can't offer any juggling advice either since Jack is our first, but I just found out I'm pregnant again and I've already been warned I'll very likely have pre-e and another preemie again, so I may be asking you for advice in 6-8 months!

Trillian46

You may not have to worry about the breastfeeding issue... at discharge, I was still told I should only breastfeed twice a day (and use a bottle feeding with my milk plus formula at all other times). The NICU was still concerned about adding extra calories to my son's diet, so the formula was necessary. You may be able to breastfeed except for a neosure feeding or two, though... my son can't use the neosure due to acid reflux. I'd ask your nurse what typically happens at your hospital. Best of luck to you!

Mzshell13

Congrats on your little girl!  We're currently on day 12 in the nicu.  I have a 2.5 year old in addition to my little one.  He's been acting out for weeks, as I was on hospital bedrest before my emergency c-section.  Now that I'm home, we're trying to get back into a routine as much as possible.  He's really clingy now and needs mommy & daddy in the evenings.  He goes to daycare at the normal time, we spend the day at the NICU, and we pick him up at 4:30 and do our dinner & bedtime routine.  I've been pumping since she was born and just started breastfeeding 4 days ago.  She gets my pumped milk when I'm not there, and I breastfeed at her 8:30, 11:30, and 2:30 feeds.  She also continues to get some formula because they're worried about her weight.  Hope this helps.