Question for NICU MoMs

JosiePosy · December 2010

Were/Are your kids kept together or separated during their stay?

The girls are currently in their own isolettes. They are in the same room and the isolettes are maybe 6 feet from each other. Since they are going to be there until at least the end of January, I worry about them being separated and maybe losing the bond they have with each other.

Should I ask if they can be put together as soon as possible?

mita&chris · December 2010

My twins were in the NICU for 19 days and were in separate isolettes the entire time. They were only a few feet from each other, but they didn't get much interaction with one another. They are now 3.5 months old and they still dont really even know that the other one exists.

So I say all this to say, I dont think it really makes a difference if they are together or not, they are oblivious of each other for a while

Also, I dont know about your NICU, but our was VERY strict about the intermingling of stuff between two babies. We even had to purell our hands in between touching one and then picking up another (not that I always did). We never asked, but Im sure they would have been appalled at the thought of them being in the same isolette. They really take their cross contaimination there seriously!

Hope that helps (I dont post that often, but thought I could answer this) and wishes for a short and uneventful NICU stay

mrs.cb · December 2010

Congrats on your baby girls! Mine were in separate isolettes because our NICU policy is that they are "two different babies." It didn't bother me so much and hasn't affected their relationship since they have been home.

JosiePosy · December 2010

Right now we do have to clean our hands between babies as well. They have that foam stuff all over the place and lots of sinks and soap. I'm wondering if they would co-bed them maybe once they graduated from the isolettes. I will have to ask. We are updated daily on their progress by a doctor or nurse practitioner, so I can ask them tomorrow about it.

Maybe I'm over thinking this. It's all so new. I worry if I'm worrying too much or if I'm worrying about the right/wrong things.

Mrs. Destructo · December 2010

Our NICU had a policy that the kids had to be over 4 lb, be off vents and be able to maintain their body temperatures outside an isolette before they would cobed. But we had a fabulous primary nurse that fought to have our kids cobedding long before our smaller guy hit 3 lb - she had them cobedding in an open crib within about 2 days of the smaller guy coming off his vent - so they were about 31 weeks gestational age. Cobedding was the best possible thing for our guys - it helped calm them so much and they both started gaining weight at a much more rapid pace when they were cobedding. And they still sleep together to this day.

ethansbride2b · December 2010

Our NICU no longer cobeds multiples. My babies were always in their separate isolettes/cribs within feet from one another.

ougrad1 · December 2010

always separated when mine were in the NICU. hudson got a simple eye infection and i was really happy that they were apart since landry was the tiny one and didn't get it. Just let them rest, grow and thrive at this point.

Trust your drs and nurses....they are your babies life line at the moment. They certainly won't stear you wrong-quite the opposite, really.

ETA-I just saw that you have 30 weekers....Just listen to the drs and nurses that are taking care of your babies. Unless something they say really sits the wrong way with you, let them do their job(s).

Take care of you right now so that, you'll be able to take care of those sweet babies in the next month and a half or so when they do get to come home to you. Keep us posted on their progress and how you're doing as well.

JosiePosy · December 2010

ougrad1:
always separated when mine were in the NICU. hudson got a simple eye infection and i was really happy that they were apart since landry was the tiny one and didn't get it. Just let them rest, grow and thrive at this point.
Trust your drs and nurses....they are your babies life line at the moment. They certainly won't stear you wrong-quite the opposite, really.
ETA-I just saw that you have 30 weekers....Just listen to the drs and nurses that are taking care of your babies. Unless something they say really sits the wrong way with you, let them do their job(s).
Take care of you right now so that, you'll be able to take care of those sweet babies in the next month and a half or so when they do get to come home to you. Keep us posted on their progress and how you're doing as well.

Thanks for this. I am having a hard time and I'm over-analyzing every single thing. I know it's because I'm not getting enough sleep. I'm practically married to my breast pump right now.

They are doing very well. I've got tough little girls. Smile

E&RMommy · December 2010

There are newer policies that all NICU beds must be so many feet apart. It's all infectional control. Our NICU is having to completely remodel to meet the new standards.

Don't worry - twins know they have a mate. I promise. Our kids were separated at first and they are literally smiling in the pictures when our DS came home from the NICU. Then for about 3-4 months it was like they didn't exist to each other. Now that they are 5 months they look for the other one, reach for the other one.....it's wild.

A twin bond is forever. Don't worry momma!!

caitdana · December 2010

I am on day 43 in the NICU. The girls have been in seperate beds since day 1 (we got them together for 30 minutes once for a photo and that was a big ordeal). We were told that they could not be in the same bed until they were both off the ventilator and they both had their iv's out. Everytime time one would get their last iv out the other would need an iv for blood or fluids or something. We finally got the okay from the dr that Monday (tomorrow) that the girls could try the same isolette but then Ella's heart got worse and we were told more than likely they will never get the same bed until we go home. They said that sometimes it helps but sometimes it can also stress the babies having someone else so close to them. So some dr's at our hospital are for it while others are not big fans.

tSquared1987 · December 2010

My boys were 30 weekers also. The NICU wouldn't allow them in the same crib, EVER. They were right next to each other, but in their own isolettes.

mrsmac08 · December 2010

We just went on a tour of the hospital where I will deliver. I asked the NICU nurses about co-bedding multiples and they said that our hospital will not allow it at any point based on AAP recommendations.

SarahD30 · December 2010

My boys are currently in the same isolette. The neo's that practice at our hospital believe in it's benefits. So do I they did both have to be off cpap and vents. My baby A Will had a harder time than baby B Drew and after they started cobedding Will really started progressing. It really is so difficult but I am glad they are together when I can't be there. Now they say Drew may be ready to come home soon and Will is still on oxygen and just not ready yet. How will they do now after co bedding for 4 weeks?

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