Intro

AZAmy77

Hi everyone,

 Just wanted to come over and say hello and probably start reading through posts over here.

 Our son Andrew was born last week at 35 weeks gestation, via C-section.  My water broke (although I didn't know it at the time).  We are all doing pretty well, but Andrew is still in the hospital working on feeding while I got discharged on Monday.  I'm guessing a lot of you know how brutal this is.

He is really starting to improve with his feedings, and we even got him to breastfeed for a bit yesterday, but he's still losing weight.  Otherwise he has no problems breathing, no jaundice yet, or any other issues.

We will be heading to the hospital this afternoon to see him, please feel free to give any helpful suggestions etc on all this premie stuff.  He mostly just seems to tire himself out.  We've been trying to do some kangaroo care as well, when we can.

ldcobb511

Congrats on your new baby boy! While the NICU is overwhelming once we were home with our BG it seemed like a distant memory. From one NICU Mom to another, make sure you take care of yourself. Eat, drink and sleep! Seems so basic but in the middle of it I certainly forgot to do it all at some point in our 76 day stay. I wasn't happy unless I was at the hospital after my discharge but I finally learned to take naps in a chair by BG's isolette. I slept better there crunched in a tiny chair than I did in bed at night. Just find a routine that works for you and don't be afraid to ask others around you for help. One of the best things that happened for me while in the NICU was bonding with another Mom. A year out and we are still BFFs. It is a wonderful friendship to have because she "gets it". Friends with term babies are kind and helpful but they often don't understand the struggles experienced in and after the NICU. I would encourage you to look to others in the NICU if possible for support and friendship. Best of luck! hugs!!!

Pips09

Congrats on your baby! Feeding is was also our last challenge before coming home, From what I see, I think that is a common issue to linger. Just try to keep positive, one day he will just get it.

<<Fellow SU alum- go Orangemen! 

DrRx

Congratulations on the birth of your son! Welcome to the board.  The NICU is a hard place to be.  I hope that he is able to go home soon!

jcsntms06

Congratulations on the birth of your DS. Sounds like he is doing very well, other than the eating, but really that's totally normal. Praying that you can take your guy home soon.

AZAmy77

Pips09:

Congrats on your baby! Feeding is was also our last challenge before coming home, From what I see, I think that is a common issue to linger. Just try to keep positive, one day he will just get it.

<<Fellow SU alum- go Orangemen! 

Whew hoo!  Go Orange!    Right now we have LAX going on!

jbranden12

Congrats and welcome! It's great that you are doing kangaroo care! Hope you can do it from the comfort of your own home soon!

solemnlyswear

Welcome! 

 I noticed feeding was sometimes the hardest part for the babies. Glad to hear you get to kangaroo, I lived for it while DS was in the NICU. My advice is to pick a primary nurse, they are great to have. We didnt always have ours but it was so wonderful to see a familiar face when we did. I was also more comfortable asking them questions, and I knew that they loved DS so maybe they gave him a little extra attention.

And dont forget to spend some qaulity time with DH, even tho your LO is in the hospital it doesnt hurt to take a night and reconnect. After about a month DH and I went out to dinner and had a nice dinner and went for a drive. It was really helpful and we didnt realize how much we needed it. Hope your stay is short and you get to bring him home soon.