Going home with a micro preemie...

Lisa - posted on 01/25/2010

My baby was born at 24 weeks. He was 1 lb 11 oz and measured under 10 inches. It was extremely scary when we first brought him home (on oxygen and apnea and pulse ox monitors). I remember that first night when the monitors kept going off I went into the bathroom and started retching. Only my and my husband's parents were permitted to visit. No one could touch him without thoroughly washing hands. (If I or my husband even suspected we were catching a cold, we wore a mask when taking care of him.) It's hard to turn people away, but keeping your child as healthy as possible is most important. For months we took him nowhere except to dr appointments. When your baby is a micro preemie I don't think you can err on the side of caution--it kept my son free from illness for months. And I know that his being illness-free helped my sanity, because during the times later when he did catch a cold I was pretty stressed, always worrying about RSV.

Still, for the first few months I felt like I was taking care of a patient instead of having a sweet new baby in the house to cuddle and love. But each step in the right direction was the most amazing feeling in the world--like when he no longer needed the oxygen, then when the pulse ox monitor went away, etc. The first milestones were that much sweeter--the first smile made me cry, the first time he rolled over I felt like he was in the Olympics and won a gold medal.

My guy is now 20 mo old (16 mo corrected) and weighs 20 lbs. He is the absolute purest joy in my life. He is on track developmentally, and I never thought he would be. He loves life, and laughing, and music, and his brother and sister. He is gentle and funny as hell, and interested in everything.

Hang in there; you will get through it. As for daycare, I would suggest hiring someone (if at all possible) to care for him in your house. Feel free to email me at lpopeck@comcast.net

Ashley - posted on 01/24/2010

My preemies were born at 35 weeks, so they weren't considered "micro", but I think the fears are the same with any preemie baby.

When I brought my twins home from the NICU, I wasn't really scared with their every move and cry only because I knew they were in the NICU for over a week and the nurses and doctors there are very qualified and would not have sent them home if they were not ready. Also they sat me down and explained alot of the "preemie noises" to me (the gasping and squeeking and such) so I knew that they were normal.

I literally have hand sanitizer on every table in every room in my house. I sanitized EVERYTHING. My hands, my arms, my face EVERYTHING. And I had a shirt that I ONLY wore when handling them. Also I bought facemasks from the drug store and as silly as this sounds, I wore them for every handeling for two weeks after they came home.

As for family and friends, except for very IMMEDIATE family (my sisters, mom, dad etc) I told everyone that the hospital recommended that the twins not have visitors until they were a month old. I didnt last the whole month before letting people see them, but to this day only immediate family has held them, and some of them I made wear facemasks.

I don't have any advice about the daycares, as I am not working and am home all day. But I'm sure there are places that are more qualified. I would call the NICU that your baby was at and ask them, I'm sure they know of some places!

Good luck, and don't let anyone tell you what you need to do with your baby. You are mommy, and no matter what, you know best!

Shana - posted on 01/24/2010

FIRST OFF LET ME START BY SAYING LETTING SOMEONE TELL U WAS BEST FOR UR CHILD IS A CAN THAT U DO NOT WANT TO OPEN BECAUSE PLEASE BELIEVE THEY ARE GOING TO DO THAT FOR THE OF UR CHILD LIFE...TAKING CARE OF A PRREMIE IS SO MUCH HARDER THAN TAKING CARE OF A FULL TERM BABY...I KNOW FIRST HAND...MY OLDEST WAS BORN @ 24WKS 11 YEARS AGO AND I DO HAVE 3 FULL TERM BABIES WITH THE YOUNGEST BEING 10 WEEKS...I WAS ON EDGE EVERYTIME THE MONITOR WENT OFF(SHE CAME WITH A MONITOR AND OXYGEN)...AND AS FAR AS VISITORS KEEP THEM LIMITED BECAUSE FOR ONE THE SWINE FLU IS STILL AROUND.. AND FOR TWO PREEMIES HAS A HARDER TIME FIGHTING OFF GERMS OR ANY NEW BORN FOR THAT MATTER...DAYCARE WASNT A OPTION FOR ME BECAUSE EVERYONE DOESNT KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR PREEMIES AND IF U DO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR CPR CERTIFICATION...IF U EVER NEED TO TALK PLEASE FEEL FREE AND EMAIL ME @ SHAY5_46@MSN.COM

Lakeeta - posted on 01/23/2010

Ka'Bren came home at exactly 7 lbs..and the neo doctors told me not to put her in daycare for at least two years if I didnt have too. As far as people stopping by all the time...we kept germ-x around and in a nice polite way let people know that she still had a low immune system. Actually people were very nice about it washed their hands and then used the germ-x ...and no one came to visit who was sick or just getting over sickness. And if I took her out in public(which wasnt often) i kept her covered up and never really had any issues with people just walking up to her and touching her. Even people I worked with would ask me..if i wash my hands my i touch her. so you be as cautious as you need to be...you have a precious lil life who depends on you.

Shelly - posted on 01/23/2010

my son was born in the july at 24w 5d and weighed 1lb 14oz and came home the last day in october and weighed less than 5lbs and was on oxygen and it was very scary after the specialised care he had in hospital and then you are at home with minimal equiptment and no dr at the end of the ward but u have a few sleepless nights and when they start sleeping through u still wake up to check that they are still breathing because they are quiet and u get used to the noisy machines and settle into a routine.

The hospital advised us not to go to very populated areas due to infection and catching things but the community nurses were coming in everyday and how many different people do they see in a week?

The winter months are the worst for catching things but i didnt wrap my son in cotton wool and after spending all day every day in nicu for 16 weeks i needed to have some contact with friends and family.

We went to playgroups,mother n toddlers,shopping and all the normal places,we had a lot of stares because of the oxygen and my son was retaining fluid so looked puffed up but i didnt let that stop us.

You get used to your baby and you know when they are not well but i let my son build his immunity up from being a baby and get used to integrating with other children and learning to be among others and i think it has helped him in confidance and also me to be able to talk with the other parents instead of sitting in the house worrying about what could go wrong.

I went back to work after 1 year,my son was still on his oxygen and my cousin looked after him for me,it wasnt easy but we managed but i havent got a very understanding employer so when my son was poorly or admitted back into hospital it made life very difficult.I hope this helps.x

Lindsay - posted on 01/20/2010

my daughter was born 8 weeks early and we spent almost a month in the nicu.we brought home hand sanitizer and placed it right next to the front door so that when people walked in they would use it as soon as they came in. anybody sniffling wasnt allowed around and we limited the people to very few family. the first time we took our daughter out other than to my parents was on thanksgiving. it was the first time she'd been around alot of people. my boyfriends mom brought his son(by another girl) without telling us and he was sick..i was so furious because i think his mother purposely didnt tell us so that we would still come knowing we wouldnt have if we had known there would be a sick child there. on top of that she wanted to put my preemie daughter close to her sick half brother for a picture! and when i told her no that wasn't happening she gave me a look like i was some kind of horrible person! it can be hard to stand up to family..especially family that isnt 'yours' like inlaws. my frame of mind was that even though it's hard to stand up to family and friends who are only trying to be nice and helpful and things like that is your child has no voice-you have to be their voice. as far as advice goes i'd say take it with a grain of salt and just let people tell you what they think but ultimately you know your child better than anyone and mostly others are just trying to be helpful.

Kristin - posted on 01/20/2010

Yes we were nervous but the nurses in the NICU where I gave birth were wonderful in educating us and making us feel comfortable. I had them in the summer but they told me to get thru the 1st winter and to be careful. They said to keep visitors to a minimum and to ask people to use Purell. I do not know anything about daycare but if you can I would stay home for a little while. Daycares do have a lot of germs b/c there are so many kids/babies. Kids get sick it can't be helped and yes preemies are more susceptible. My twins are now 2 1/2yrs old and thriving!

Shelbra - posted on 01/20/2010

My daughter recently came home this past friday (Jan. 15, 2010) after being in the NICU for 55 days. She has come home on oxygen and an apnea monitor as well. I was a little nervous at first with her being home, because I have other children, and we all know how they catch things from school. SO as soon as she came home, I had masks for the kids sick or not. I have sanitizer everywhere, I am constantly having them wash there hands with anything they do. I will do the same with visitors, if anyone is sick, I would definitley keep them away. I am blessed to have my mother watch after her, now that I am back to work.

Dawn - posted on 01/18/2010

It was very scary, I watched his every move, tons of appointments, but the hospital had classes that helped me understand and how to take care of a preemie

Nicole - posted on 01/18/2010

my son slept in the bassinet portion of the pack n play until he met the weight limit for it. I kept the pacnk n play at the end of the couch and I could see his every move and peak over at him at any time. This also helped because it was right by the kitchen doorway therefore I didn't have to go very far from him. The first week we were home, my mom came and helped me/us. I even slept on the couch until he was able to sleep in the pack n play without the bassinet portion. Then we moved the pack n play into our room. He has only had a crib and slept in it for about 3 months now. He is currently 9 months old. Others who try to tell you what to do..... just agree with them tell them ok, think about any advice you receive and then once they are gone, just do things the way you feel comfortable doing them. Try not to let yourself become to over whelmed with everything or with all the advice. People are going to try to tell you hoe to raise your child(ren) until they are around you and see that you are doing fine on your own. Just try to relax and enjoy every moment.

Kristen - posted on 01/18/2010

I had twins at 31w1d. 9 weeks early. I brought one home from hospital after 5 weeks he was the stonger of the two (they had twin-to-twin transfusion syndomme) and My littlest came home on their due date and on oxygen. Germs are a natural part of life, and you cant protect them forever, once they hit full term dates, treat as you would a full term. Wash your hands. we never went over bored with germs, the boys had all their vaccinations, My littlest is usally the first to have cold, but the bigger one hardley ever gets sick. Kids need germs to build up their immune system. They'll end up with allergies if your too clean!



my hubby and i had to be weened off the monitars cause we got used to them telling us what was going on. My mother in law bought us monitars that you put under the bassinet mattress and would alarm if the bubs stopped breathing. I would still poke them and watch to see the chest move.



I always had people over, it drove me a little insane, but because i had two the extra help was a blessing. but, when i have another one, i'll certianly pipe up and say "thanks, but no thanks".



My bigger twin was home for a week and then i took him out to a mates 21st, slept the whole time, and when my littlest came home from hospital on oxygen i took him out to the shops and peoples houses, germs are everywhere- you cant hide from them.



My boys started day care aug last year , for the first couple of months there was a few colds, but that s to be expected. The centres do their best to teach kids about hygiene, and have them washing their hands after usling the toliet and before they eat. and most centres disinfect their toys reguarly.

Danya - posted on 01/17/2010

I recommend getting a movement sensor. We could actually get some sleep after that.

Heather - posted on 01/17/2010

Yes we were very scared and I still watch his every move. I quarintined my baby for months after he came home. A lot of my family was upset because they couldn't see/hold him but I just couldn't take the risk. I had the luxury of not having to go back to work, but I would suggest looking up special daycares and letting your pediatrician know that's what you're planning on doing. The doctor can suggest certain vaccines to make sure they're as protected as can be. Also, as soon as you suspect an illness take action! Do not wait because when a preemie gets sick, it happens faster, lasts longer, and hits them harder. It also can escalate into something that is worse, so if you find a daycare make sure you monitor your baby's health closely. Good luck

Hayley - posted on 01/16/2010

it wasnt to bad with me as i wa living with my parents, only problem was when i took her out i got a lot of comments about how small she was, she was 4lb when she was born and she was 7lb 7oz at 3 months old

Bobbie - posted on 01/14/2010

My baby was also preemie. She was born at 30 weeks and weighed in at 2lbs and 7ozs. She spent 43 days in the NICU. I was lucky she did not require any monitors or oxgen when she came home. She was our first baby so we was very cautious. We did not have any visitors for sometime and when we did let people see her we always asked for them to wash there hands. Most people will do it before you ask. If anyone was sick we did ask for them not to come over. At first we did not take her anywhere unless we had to. It was alot of sleepless nights for sure! Now my daughter is 18 months and she weighs about 19lbs and is doing great! It is rough at first but they grow very quick so enjoy it all you can! Good luck to you and best wishes!

Juanice - posted on 01/13/2010

My daughter was born at 23 weeks, she spent 2 months and 14 days in the NICU. When she came home she was a whooping 4 lbs and 8oz. We brought her home with out anything other than iron drops. We didn't allow people to vist for the first 2 weeks e if and after her first post NICU check up we went to vist her great granny who lived 45mins away. We don't do day care and I'm not sure if we will anytime soon, i used to act as if she might break and i would check her all night long to make sure she was breathing. As a matter of fact her first month home I would hold her whenever she was sleep. After awhile you will get use to it! Good luck, just remember that our babies are born fighters and they have a will like no other!

Kera - posted on 01/13/2010

My daughter was 10 weeks early, and spent 30 days in the NICU. When she came home, I was so scared of SIDS I did not sleep for 3 days listening to her every breath! I think that part is natural, but gradually, you overcome it. This is our first baby, so we just take everything one day at a time, both listening to the baby and listening to our instincts, and I think we're doing okay.
For number I) My family is 8 states away. My husband ended up getting a position in VA while the whole of our family is in CO. The NICU only limited visitation to me and my husband, but it didn't matter because no one could get a flight out to see the baby. But the NICU did give some advice. No one sees the baby for 6 weeks, and give them masks and force them into gloves to risk exposure to germs.

For me, me and my husband chose to allow me to be a homemaker. So the child care question doesn't apply, but if I had to choose one, I would research, thoroughly, and interview any qualifiers.

Good luck with your baby!

Alison - posted on 01/13/2010

As far as the visitors thing in the NICU, the hospital I delivered my son at in October had NO Visitors allowed except Mommy and Daddy. That meant no Grandparents, no nothing. And this was because of the Swine flu. Luckily, our parents waiting right outside the door to see him otherwise they would not have been allowed to even glance at him until he came home.

Stacey - posted on 01/13/2010

My experience was not bad, I did a lot better than I thought I would have. I did watch every move and jump at every cry! She is our first and only, so I knew that was going to happen. As far as handling things, I only took her out when I absolutely had to. I didnt want her to be around all those germs especially saying it was flu season shortly after bringing her home. Handling friends and family: I told them if they were sick or had been sick within the past week dont even bother coming over, I made them wash their hands as soon as they came in, I wouldnt let many people hold her because the doctor said that the more she is passed around the more she would lose weight, and when I finally did start letting people hold her I would make them change their shirts or put a small fleece blanket over them. Hope I was of some help!!

Holli - posted on 01/11/2010

It was really stressful coming home. I have twin micro preemies, born at 28 weeks but only one and a half pounds each. They spent three and a half months in the NICU and have now been home five months. They were on the ventilator for over a month and a half and then on oxygen until just before coming home so I am STILL a wreck about protecting them and their lungs from colds, etc. My one son got a virus after being home just one month, ended up back in the hospital for four days and on oxygen. I am grateful that I am able to stay home with them. I can't imagine how stressed I would be looking for a day care situation. Is there a family member or close friend who could help out at least during this cold/flu season or any way you could flex your hours at work to be home part of the time even? anything to limit exposure for the rest of the season? Otherwise I think the best you can do is get your little one in the smallest environment possible (less kids = less potential for germs). and if you can feel somoene out about how vigilant they can be with washing hands/sanitizing toys, etc. I feel for you, but you can only do the best that you can. Best of luck!!!!!!

Mary - posted on 01/11/2010

I know what your felling it's hard to have a micro preemie but as well a blessing. My second child was born at 25wks and weighed 1lbs and 11oz and was 13and a half inches long she was in the nicu for about four months and came home with a feeding tube. When we brought her home i only let family around for a while due to all the things that she might get and if they were sick they couldn't come over. We had a nurse come by every week to check up on her when i had her it was in july and she came home the last week of October and by December the feeding tube came out. When your child get's home you child will do better as far as daycare try to find maybe a friend that stay's home or a family member someone that you can trust to take care of your child look at most of the daycare to see if the have any experience in taking care of a micro preemie and be careful with the rsv season it is hard on them i've been there many times. My middle child when through it several times and was hospitalized once. Take care.

Andrea - posted on 01/11/2010

I had my son prematurely at just 28 weeks back in 2008. He was only 2 pounds and five ounces when he was born. He spent his first two and a half months in the NICU at the hospital where I work. When I was finally able to take him home, I must admit that it was nerve wracking, but at the same time, I spent enough time with him in the hospital that by the time they did release him I felt comfortable and educated about everything that I would have to do. While he was in the hospital I made it my job to learn how to feed him, clean him, change him, anything necessary, so that by the time we made it home it would be second nature to me. My friends and family knew the drill about handwashing and holding him. But it also helped that I didnt let everybody and they momma come around him when he was fresh out the hospital. I only let the close family and friends around until I felt that he could handle all the attention and stressors that being in a loud and unusual environment could cause. I tried to make his transition from the quiet little NICU to the big loud world as smooth as I could. As a mother, you will know when your child is ready to move on to certain things. You just have to pay attention to the clues that your child is giving you. And trust, there are always clues. I wish you the best. And the best advice that I could give you, especially since I have already walked down this road, is to be patient. Don't expect to do everything in one day. Remember you have the next 18 years to figure your little one out...so take your time...lol

Randi - posted on 01/10/2010

My son was born at 24 weeks and was in the NICu for 4 months. When we brought him home he had ozygen and the apnea machine.. Yes it was nerve racking cause the nurses werent there to tell me what the noises meant or what the cry meant but you will learn your baby. for the first 3 months we had him in a bassanet next to the bed. I would say if people cant understand that your situation is different and they have to be respectfull of your time then dont let them come around. Just becouse they come over to see him doesnt mean they have to touch him or her My son was so used to being in the nicu for so long and not being Handled constantly that he would get SOOOo upset when people always wanted to hold him..He was a very independant little man. To much contact made him mad and start to destat. It really is a tough road when you have a micro premie. Dont go by any growth or development chart cause they will never be on it. My son just turned 3 and he just started to walk independatly 5 months ago. I will say that as scary as it probably is for you right now it does get better and easier. Just try to remember at least you get to bring him home.. Good luck and God Bless

Cari - posted on 01/10/2010

We have had our son from the NICU for a month now, and visitors upon visitors have wanted to come over, and this is how I handle it.

1. Come with freshly out of the dryer clothing (I have a lot of teacher friends who have been around kids all day long)
2. No one under 10 (not even my nephew) In the NICU, they didn't let anyone under 18!
3. Hand washing a must
4. If anyone has so much as a sniffle, don't come around!
5. We don't go anywhere, unless it's to a doctor's appointment (my son is on oxygen)

I have offended many, but I really don't care! I am my child's advocate, and I don't want to see him back in the hospital again because of me feeling like I will hurt someone's feeling if they don't get to see him.

Nav - posted on 01/10/2010

Hi my littleboy was born 26 weeks wefinally left the hospital 10 weeks after he was born, I was pretty scared to be honest but I got through it, I'd check on him constantly,but with confidence and being happy he was home getting better care from afamily who loves him was the thing that won it for me. For visitors Isaid to everyone that doctors had said due to infection risks tonot over expose him, a white lie which I think was the best for my lad.

Everything we do is what we believe is for the best. Other parents etc might say do this and do that, but i did what I believed was best.

I have recently looked into day care but I haven't found anyone who does anything special for premmies yet.

My overall advice is not to be over sensitive about your child being susceptible to everything overwise you'll just stress over little things which is unhealthy for you, just try your best nd I'm sure you will be fine.

I hope some of that helped and good luck.

Melissa - posted on 01/10/2010

My daughter was a micro preemie. She was born at 27 4/7 weeks and weighed 1.5 lbs. She spent 117 days in the NICU. She came home on O2 and with a NG tube. She's 3 weeks shy of her 1st birthday. She still doesn't eat/drink from a bottle. My husband and I looked into daycares. There is NOT a daycare equipped to handle your micro premmie. They have to many infants and if your LO has any special needs then it is even more difficult. You can't protect them from anything in a daycare setting. We both went back to work at first (3 months after she came home). We researched every child care in the area and even spoke to our ECI therapist. My cousin and her daughter would come over and take care of dd. Her daughter is 2 years old. In the end, my husband stays home with dd. We spent two separate stays in the hospital, 3 weeks each. One with H1N1 she caught from her grandfather a month after being home from the NICU and one with RSV she picked up at her pedi's office.
We still limit her contact with others, everyone must wash their hands and sanitize. You can't keep all the germs away but it seems even our best hasn't been safe enough.
Every baby is different but I would strongly recommend if possible one of you staying home the first year or finding a family member/close friend to come to your house.
You will be overwhelmed with follow up appts for the first year and therapy of some sort.If your LO gets sick at all you are pretty much destined for a hospital stay of some sort.
It's scary at first but becomes a part of your life so you get used to it all.
As far as advice from others goes, I used to beat myself up by it because most would tell me I was over protective or that my daughter wasn't hungry so stop force feeding her. My daughter doesn't eat, she'll starve/dehydrate before we'd know she was hungry. I had to start telling ppl that she doesn't fit their mold so let me take care of her the best I know how. We have a whole team of drs following her progress we don't need anymore Chefs in the kitchen, you know.
I wish you the best of luck. It will get easier and it's very rewarding in the long run!

Caroline - posted on 01/10/2010

Yes it is scary! Good luck. Our Prem was not Micro (31 weeks good weight, 10 weeks in SCBU) so it sounds like you will need to be very careful, however do not allow yourself to continue jumping everytime anything happens otherwise you will burn out.
1) Family, explain about RSV and the fact that they can pass this on to your baby, (this helped us as no one wanted to be responsible for making your baby sick) give them a time frame say 3 weeks but if they want to help they could drop meals at your door.
2) Annoying advice hahah - Best thing is to point to your Prem book on the coffee table ( I have "the premmie parenting companion, by Susan Madden) and say Oh yes thats great advice but with prems you do.... I use this all the time now with all advice even though it is completly untrue. ( I offered my mother in law the book too...)
3) Have taken more time off work as it is unsafe to put her in that enviroment but will think about small scale home care when the time comes.

Megan - posted on 01/10/2010

It is scary taking your little preemie home, We just had our son October 29th. He was in NICU for 20 days and we were so excited to be able to take him home but alsy so scared. He was our first child. Nicholas is home on an Apnea monitor which has been stressful by itself but you cope and learn as you go. We have santizer in his room so we santized before we pick him and up and wash our hands constantly as we dont want to share any gems to him. But as far as visitors we have had people over since he was home not too many at once but his family. We make sure everyone washes/santizes their hands before holding Nick. If people were sick they had to stay away til they felt better. People understand especially being flu season you want to be safe than sorry.

My husbands parents have been scared to hold Nicholas because he has been so little so they may only hold him for a couple minutes then pass him along but its a comfort thing for people. I kinda judge or ask how they are feeling with Nicholas. And with feeding Nicholas its mostly just my husband and I as Nick is such a noisy eater eveyrone that has tried seem to get nervous so we have just continued to do it ourselves til they become more comfortable.

There are going to be tons of people out there trying to give you advice take it in stride and honsetly do what feels right to you. I told my parents and my husbands parents you can give me advise doesnt mean i will use it and doesnt mean i dont appreciate it but you are going to do what feels right for your child and you.

Luckily I have a job where i get to work from home therefore i can be home with Nicholas because i did not want to do daycare with him being so little, i was scared.

But being at home i get to hold him on my chest while i work which he seems to like because of the heartbeat and that soothes him down which I enjoy the time together. I think the preemie thing has been harder on my husband than I because he is not around all day long. Nicks been home maybe about 6 weeks and i havent been able to leave him with anyone yet other than my husband and that only for an hour. My brother in law is going to babysit in about 2 weeks and i am so nervous wish me luck. Hopefully it helps it does take time to get use to the little one being home and not knowing what is right or wrong but honestly he is ur child and you will know trust me!

Geraldine - posted on 01/10/2010

My oldest was born at 34 weeks, but because the connection between me and him were closing, they prepared me for a still born or a death soon after birth. He survived but his lungs weren't fully developed and he couldn't suck. When we got home, I had no help and had to give him extracted 20ml breastmilk every hour with a cup for a week. Needless to say, I was sleepdeprived, worried, did a lot of things wrong, but also a lot right. One night I told my husband to just take his child cause I can't anymore...that lasted for 2 hours extra sleep and then I was fine again - just to clarify...I really had no help, cause with 3 kids, my husband has never changed a nappy or bottlefed except for this one time when he had to give the milk per cup to Marco and I was a full-day working mom who went home for lunch to breastfed them, (I even had a room at work where I could extract my milk, refrigerate and take home). I was very scared for another pregnancy, cause they told me that I was likely to get pre-eclampsia again. Well I did get it and my second son was also born at 34 weeks. I did a lot better and was more relaxed, cause I realised that everyone makes mistakes, but they are a lot stronger than they look. Then with my daughter's birth at 36 weeks, I had serious heart failure and docter's was worried I wouldn't make it. By God's grace I survived.



Tell people nicely that you appreciate all their help and interest, but you are now responsible for a very tiny little baby. Docter's told me not to expose them to other people for at least a month or 2 for their own protection. Make sure that the father support you in this.

Ask around for people who can recommend a good creche (where their babies was looked after) Meet the people and make sure you have a good feeling about it.



With my oldest I took 3 extra month's of unpaid leave...finance was really not to good after that thou, but my kid was. My other one's did just fine after 3 months.



It is natural to feel scared and overprotective. It is natural to make mistakes and believe me you will make a lot in the next 18 years. People are always going to insist they know more than you and make comments about your childrearing skills.



Just do what you feel is best and put your foot down. That is your little blessing, not theirs. If you do it nicely with the aid of "doctor's orders", they really do not have a foot to stand on.

Try to relax and enjoy the ride, cause it is not going to last long. They grow up very fast and then you'll miss this time. Good luck!

Jennifer - posted on 01/10/2010

We were very scared. 1) because she came home on O2 and an apnea montitor and 2) becuase she is our first baby. We did jump at every cry asking ourselves is she hungry do we feed her, do we hold her, do we change her it was a little stressful. We hae hand sanitizer all around the house and wash our hands after we do anything. We also change if we come home fromother places before we hold her to make sure those germsdon't get on her.



As far as visitors we didn't have anyone for the first week so we could get acclimated and once we couldn't keep people away it was just family and I was even asking if people felt okay. If they were offended by it they didn't show it or say so. If there was so much as a little sniffle that they said they had I said they couldn't come until it was come. The advice I just let them talk and let it go in one ear and out the other. They don't understand that a preemie is not the same as a full term baby. They try to be helpful, but most of the things they say don't pertain to a preemie.





We are working out the whole day care thing as we speak. We are thinking of having someone come in for at least the first week or so and then it will be a day care that has a separate infant room.



I hope this helps.....I am still working through my daughter being home and still haven't gotten a great routine in place - we have one, but its not what we pictured and she's been home for almost 2 months!!!