Newborn

Hello, my twins were in the NICU too. They were born 1 lbs 15 oz and 3 lbs 7oz. They had such a big weight difference because of a rare syndrome that occurs in in identical twins called Twin to Twin Transfusion while still in utero. Anyway, they were in an isolette (incubator) until they were able to regulate their own body temperature which was around 4-5 pounds. While in the isolette the babies only had a diaper on and they kept the temperature at 98 degrees. After they were moved to an open crib, they would bundle up the babies all the time. The nurses told me the babies stay slightly colder than us. It's not good to bundle them up in hot weather. But if it's cool then they should have a blanket on. Ask your daughter if she has a swaddler. It's made by SwaddleMe or Kiddopotamus. Maybe you can buy one for her. I was never good at swaddling with a blanket. These have velcro to keep the swaddle in place. It also helps the babies to sleep better at night when they are bundled up because it resembles being in the womb. Maybe she is only e-mailing pictures with a t-shirt because she thinks her baby is cute in that outfit. She might not be sending you pictures with the baby bundled up. Good Luck and Congratulations!

You know it's funny, with my son, I had the great pleasure of getting to know some amazing NICU nurses while my son was there for his first seven weeks. And, they enlightened me SO much. I was told that a baby (child) should only be as bundled as you are, so if you feel like you need a sweatshirt and pants, then so should the baby. If it's hot outside and you aren't bundled, then don't bundle the little one.

Checking the back of the neck was a great way to judge body temperature and also the feet.

It's great that you are concerned, but ultimately your daughter is inexperienced and may benefit from your sharing some of your experience. I know that my Mom has been the best reference guide of what to do, and of course what not to do. If you do offer the advice, please just remember to be sharing and not telling what to do...my Mom would say, 'remember how I used to do this with your sister' or 'I read somewhere that this is really good, maybe you could see if it works for you'.

I loved dressing my son in newborn clothes, especially cute t-shirts and shorts...he always had a pair of socks on his feet!! As for the blanket, I didn't always do the blanket thing...if we were going out, YES!!

If it really bothers you, maybe by some newborn outfits that are beach weather appropriate and offer them as a gift and approach it that way.

Good luck.

Yes! You should bundle the baby! My son was born June 29, 2008 and weighed in at only 4lbs 1oz. I know what it is like to have a small baby! During my hospital stay the nurses told me to keep the baby bundled and warm so that he could use his energy to gain weight, rather than keep warm. I live in Santa Clarita (which is desert climate) and it was 100+ degrees here this summer. We were inside of course, but we still kept the baby dressed warmly. One thing to remember is that they stay colder than us because we move around. Checking the back of the neck is the best way to tell their temp. Another good thing the nurses recommended was "skin to skin". Put the baby naked (well in a diaper) directly on your bare chest and then cover with a blanket. Your body heat is the best way to keep baby warm. Now of course you can't do this 24/7, so keep the baby dressed warmly and/or blanked the rest of the time. My son even wore hats everyday the first month. They lose heat through their heads too.

My son went home with my husband and I after my two day stay in the hospital. Talk about scary bringing home a baby that weighed 13lbs 14ozs! But I will say that my son gained weight like crazy...he doubled his weight in only 6 weeks (8lbs+)! I think that keeping him warm was a big factor in his rapid weight gain. Best of luck and congrats!

Perhaps the baby is covered the majority of the time. My bet is that they are taking those pics so you, grandma, can see baby's cute, tiny body!!:)
You have a point, though, a baby that tiny, near ocean breezes should definitely have a light layer on, and a light receiving blanket.