NICU Babies Check In

chailife34 · April 2017

Haven't seen one of these in a while, let's connect with each other.

How old is baby (gestation/days old):

What goals are next to achieve?

How are YOU doing?

How is your family adjusting?

How are feeds going? Are you pumping or supplementing?

What advice would you share?

mcvgal · April 2017

We have been home over a week now, but thought I'd share a little.

How old is baby (gestation/days old): 38w6d GA / 7.5 weeks old.

What goals are next to achieve? Still working on gaining weight. She had a NICU follow up appointment today and has gained .7 ounces per day, but doctor would like to see 1 oz gain per day.

How are YOU doing? Finally being home has made all the difference, I feel so much better and recovered from gall bladder surgery.

How is your family adjusting? Family is adjusting well. However I can tell both boys are vying for more attention.

How are feeds going? Are you pumping or supplementing? We finally found a bottle that DD will take! I only pump for the 1 bottle feed per day and she nurses all the other times.

What advice would you share? I recommend asking the doctor and nurses specifics regarding discharge. If I. Had not agreed to 1 bottle feed per day, we probably still would be in the NICU. The discharging doctor simply wanted to see that she could take a bottle as well. Also if time and schedules allow, try to be there for as many feeds as possible so your LOs can really get feedings down.

Hopefully everyone is gaining well, but also make sure your car seat allows for the lower weight limit, if aplicable.

I am not sure that everyone will require the developmental appointments, but it would be nice to keep this check in going, since preemies' tend to have continued check ins and delays.

jayandaplus · April 2017

@mcvgal Glad you and DD are doing well-- at home! I'm glad the gall bladder surgery is done, too. I hope she gains 1 oz a day! Thinking about you.

mdlorenz · April 2017

@chailife34 Thanks for restarting this! I'm sorry I dropped the ball ... but, twins? That's going to be my excuse for the next 18 years.

@mcvgal So good to hear about Lucia! Sounds like you guys are transitioning well. Totally agree about talking to the NICU team about their expectations before you can be discharged. I think a lot goes unsaid unless you speak up so good for you for doing that. And I agree it would be great to hear how all of the NICU grads are doing!

mdlorenz · April 2017

I'll give an update for us too. Hope to hear from a few more NICU mamas ... @Squirtgun @SJsMommy @schnitz9 @chailife34

How old is baby (gestation/days old):
39w3d (7 weeks on the outside!)

What goals are next to achieve?
Two month appointment and vaccinations next Monday

How are YOU doing?
I had a very low point due to lack of sleep (since I'm exclusively pumping) that was full-blown anxiety and depression rolled together last week. DH and my dad were absolutely amazing and helped me get through the worst day and now I'm on the upswing. Days are still hard (because, well ... TWO babies) but more manageable.

How is your family adjusting?
DD goes back and forth between being helpful and sweet and a huge AW. I have to remember she's only 3.5 and isn't rational but phew! - it's requiring all of my patience and negotiating skills.

How are feeds going? Are you pumping or supplementing?
Pumping every 3-4 hours and still giving two bottles of preemie formula to give them extra calcium, phosphorus, and protein. Hopefully we can wean off of that soon as they approach their due date. But I'll be supplementing with either donor milk or formula most of their first year because mastitis x 2 ruined my twin milk supply. It's been a journey in acceptance over here.

What advice would you share?
Accept ALL the help offered (I'm bad at taking this advice myself because I don't feel I deserve it, but it makes all the difference with my family's sanity when we have help, big or small).
Take time for yourself, especially if it involves time out in the sunshine (hopefully there is sunshine in most of the country these days).
Take photos. This time isn't easy but it's an important part of your baby's life and you may want to look back on these tough days when it feels less raw.

chailife34 · April 2017

How old is baby (gestation/days old):
- 37w4d / 8 days

What goals are next to achieve?
- eating on his own (breast/bottle) so we can remove the feeding tube. There are times when he'll take a whole feeding by breast or bottle (or combo) and other times where his stamina drops and we have to gavage the rest.

How are YOU doing?
- much better now that I'm hope after 3 weeks hospitalized. Sleeping in my own bed has been crucial for healing and recovery. I'm having a weird pain in my stomach, similar to pain I had prior to gallbladder was removed. Going to try probiotics to see if it resolves but it's weird. Mentally, I'm still numb, and am anticipating a big crash after he's finally home.

How is your family adjusting?
- DD has really needed mama love since I've gotten home, and as much as I want Isaac home, I'm grateful for this time together. DW is holding strong, she's been awesome but clearly needs sleep too. We're synching so well and back in rhythm together

How are feeds going? Are you pumping or supplementing?
- daily improvements! Isaac is about 3/4 of the way there. He has a great latch and nurses really well, if he can stay awake long enough. I'm pumping every 2-3 hours and trying my best to establish my supply and match the schedule to his feeds. Exclusive pumping is a full time job.

What advice would you share?
- if you're still pregnant, be prepared for anything. You might think "this could never happen to me" and it might. There was a 39w baby with a healthy low risk pregnancy and needed a week in NICU care.
- Be openminded and know your baby is being cared for in the right place, use the time to sleep and heal.
- Leaving your precious new baby is the hardest thing in the world, it's okay to cry.
- Be at every feeding possible and do skin to skin with both partners, which builds trust and is so healing for all

chailife34 · April 2017

@mdlorenz you're right about taking photos and documenting this experience, despite the rawness of it all. We'll all look back and bear witness to how we survived with grace and courage

mcvgal · April 2017

@chailife34 I completely agree that it's ok to cry. I thought for a moment that I might have had PPD, but once I allowed myself to cry and really just care for myself I felt better. I do think it was the baby blues not PPD, but I still. Had to stop and cry to be ok.

Squirtgun · April 2017

Hi all!
@mcvgal glad to hear that Lucia is doing well! Hopefully she starts gaining just a little more weight.

@mdlorenz I'm glad you are settling into home life well, and that you have good support too!

@chailife34 sounds like he's doing well with his feedings!

How old is baby? Thomas is 3weeks 4 days old (36wks1day gestational)

Goals: eating. He has to take 8 full bottles in 24 hours before he can go home. Right now a good day is one full bottle. He is nursing some, but they aren't counting that towards his total.

How are you doing? Exhausted. Frustrated.

How is family adjusting? Older daughter is obsessed with Thomas. She wants to see pictures all the time, and has two taped up by her bed, by her request. She talks to the pictures and it is adorable.

How are feeds going? I'm pumping every three-ish hours. I'm getting a lot of milk, so that's good.

Advice? I'm too tired to advise anyone

Save some of the preemie clothes- it will help show them how little they were way better than pictures will. Older daughter uses her first preemie sleeper as her doll's jammies.

jayandaplus · April 2017

@mdlorenz Sorry to hear about your rough week (and two bouts of mastitis), but it's reassuring that you have a great support system. Good job mama, hang in there! It's great to hear an update.
@chailife34 Glad you're home and enjoying it! Glad your ladies are doing well with you and Isaac. Sounds like feeding is going well! Thanks for the update.
@Squirtgun So cute that DD is obsessed with Thomas! That's adorable. Good to hear pumping is going well, I'm sure he'll catch up soon! Glad to read an update.

You mamas are amazing! I love reading these updates. They are so inspiring!

chailife34 · April 2017

AW update: the feeding tube is out!! We're working to get him home tomorrow. I'm staying with him overnight to help make that happen. He failed the car seat challenge but we'll try again tonight now that I'm here and he has the tube out. Also my supply took a nose dive, I wasn't responding to the pump in my right breast at all, only via hand expression. Now that I'm here, it's starting to recover, and I'm sure skin to skin and nursing will help. Fingers crossed tomorrow is the day!

jayandaplus · April 2017

@chailife34 Yay!! Great news! I hope being there boosts your milk supply. Thinking about you!

mcvgal · April 2017

That's great news @chailife34. I hope tonight makes all the difference for you both.

mdlorenz · April 2017

Fantastic news @chailife34! FX for supply bouncing back.

Want a personalized experience?

NICU Babies Check In

Re: NICU Babies Check In

Choose Another Board

Search Boards