Preemie Moms - Saint Paul,MN

Hi SK,

Congrats on the birth of your son! My son was born at 33.5 weeks, and is now 19 months.

We differ in that mine was born in late autumn. However, I would bet your Pulmanologist would recommend the same. We were told not to take him anywhere for the first 2 months or so, and to LIMIT the number of interactions with others. What was stressed was no visits initially with small children (I'm sure it's an RSV issue as well as them being carriers of all kinds of icky things). Any person who holds your baby, including yourself, should wash hands prior to holding. I'm actually surprised your nurses seem so care-free. Noone in my NICU were that casual with their "release instructions". I'd check with the Drs.

The last place to take your baby during the first few months is church. I know, weird huh? But apparently church is the easiest place for viruses because people will take sick kids to church even when they would keep them home otherwise. Gosh, I think our son was 5 months old before we took him to church (we had him dedicated in the NICU).

I took my son on errands to store and stuff, but I kept him covered and when people tried to approach (and believe M., they will!) - interrupt them and ask them to not touch or uncover as he's a preemie. It was hard for M. initially to appear to be rude, but frankly you NEVER know when/if the last time their hands were washed or it they're even sick. Keep strangers away.

As far as gas, my son had it too and it would make him cry so hard. We were allowed to use Infant's Mylacon with every feeding. Ask your Dr. if you can as well. It worked like a dream. I think we used it for the first 6-8 months religiously.

I'm at SAHM so I'm not sure about daycare. That would be a question for your Pulminologist. Also, when taking your son to the Pedi for appts, keep sit away from others and keep him covered in the car seat.

Good luck!
(:

I didn't have preemie. But I did have a colicy baby. It sounds like he is alittle colicy.(Fussy,Gassy,And cries for nothin). What helped my daughter, we did massage therapy on her tummy. BUT ASK UR DOC FIRST IF IT"S OK TO DO THIS..
Rub her tummy SPELLING...... I L U from left to right if u r FACEING HER because the bowl track runs that way (YOUR left to right and HER right to left). And while u r rubbing her say I LOVE YOU in a soft calmming voice. She will be able to here u and calm down Repeat the motion 5 times 2 or 3 times a day.It will help with the gassiness and her fussiess.

Plus I don't no way but our daughter LOVED to sit in her car seat on top of the dryer while it was running, also she loved the sound of the vaccum. People in my apt. building thought I was always cleaning and doing landry..
Well I hope helped alittle.

Due to preclampsia, my daughter was born at 33 weeks. She never required oxygen and was in the NICU for 3 weeks. Because she was born just before RSV Season, we did the Synagis shots monthly. We never had any problems with them, and she literally never had a cold until she was a year old! So I would highly recommend the Synagis shots for RSV. Though it was very hard for M., we did not even take her to church (except a few times on a Sunday night when it is generally not very crowded) for about 3 months. I simply did not want to expose her. As for child care, a close friend and mother of 4 school age children kept only her for the first year while I worked. We have been very reserved about taking her to "events" outside of family events b/c we were so used to that in the first year and now it is habit. She did not have any problems with gas that I recall, but did have to be on Pepcid for acid reflux. She sleeps well for naps and at night, rarely does she wake during the night. Our biggest struggle has been simply for her to EAT! She doesn't like to do that! I know she will just be skinny b/c her M. is, but I do stress about that.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask questions of M. anytime! I love to chat with other mommies who can relate.

Hi, I was born at 25 weeks (27 yrs ago) I weighed 2lbs 2 oz and dropped down to 1lb 9 oz! I was a twin although he didn't make it. I had to stay in the hospital from January 23 to the Friday before mothers day until I had gained enough weight to come home. I had alot of ear problems and surgeries also lost some hearing due to it all. That is really the only major problems that I know of that I had. I am now 27 married with a 6 yr old and ready to have another one. I'm really happy in my life and I wish the best for you and your family! Congrats!

Hi , my daughter was born at 34 weeks and will be 2 next week , she was my 3rd child and the other 2 were born 6 days past the due date so this was all new to M. aswell. The things I noticed when she was very young was she was very sensitive in the stomach area (she was formula fed and would scream after every feed and had terrible bloating) , so we switched to a lactose free formula and noticed a big improvement. She was 2 1/2 weeks old when we came home and for around 3 weeks after coming home she slept ALOT , I had to feed her while she was asleep because she just did not wake up to be fed. Also for milestones such as sitting up , rolling over , crawling , teething etc she was around 2 months behind what the guidelines said , and even though the ped said that she wasn't "premature" enough for it to have an effect on her developmental milestones , I did not agree with that so when they were questioning her not sitting up yet , or rolling over yet etc , I just advised that we would wait a few more weeks and see what happened , and waiting those few more weeks always paid off. I am happy to say that now , she is right on track for her age , I also waited with the introducing of foods , so when she would have been 5 1/2 months based on her due date I started rice cereal rather than when she actually turned 5 1/2 months.

Hope this helps

Both my first born and second born are preemies. My first born (born 3 weeks early) is now 5 yr old and though he is still a little small (short and skinny) for his age, he is doing GREAT! I was always worried that he would be delayed (because I was forewarned that he could be) but he was actually right on time with everything he was supposed to be doing.

My 2nd son is only four months old right now and was born 5 weeks early. He had trouble with suck/swallow motion and would often get tired easily and fall asleep mid way through a feeding. He is only mildly delayed (in smiling, grasping, holding his head up, etc) but his pediatrician explained that this is totally normal and he should be pretty much caught up by the end of the first year.

As far as your questions about putting your little guy in daycare or waiting a year...there's really no reason to wait a full year to put him in daycare. After the first couple months, he'll have had some of his vaccinations and should be just fine to go in to the daycare setting. You can always let them know his preemie status and that might keep them even more on their toes about keeping his surrounding clean and as germ free as possible (they should be doing that anyway, but it will likely make them even MORE deligent).

He may be extra fussy because preemies don't process their feedings as well as full term babies, therefore, I think they tend to get gassy easier. Sometimes they digestive systems aren't completely as mature as is needed to handle feedings. Also, I learned this from trial and error, sometimes big open spaces (like the crib and even a cradle) are too much room for such a tiny baby. My son slept great in his bouncy seat suggled up with blankets because he like the tighter confinements. Try swaddling...this works great for most all babies, but especially for preemies.

In the carseat, make sure his head is in good position because car seats are more designed for full term babies and preemies tend to get slumped over in them. If your carseat doesn't have a neck support already included, try rolling a receiving blanket up and placing one on each side of him to make sure he's in a good position for breathing.

Finally, even in the summer time, be cautious about a lot of folks holding him at first. His immune system is still fragile initially and most people will understand.

Good luck with your new little one....Good things REALLY DO come in small tiny packages!

There are several groups on babycenter.com that are for preemie moms and one called Preemie Parenting that I like the best. You can ask any question and someone will have an answer because they all have been their before and someone has been through it.
I have a 33wrk and had all the same questions you did. We didn't go anywhere except the doctor for the first couple of months. When I did start to take her places I kept her in the carseat and kept it covered so no one would touch her. Like CM said everyone including you needs to wash their hands before touching the baby. I am surprised your NICU was so laid back with any instructions. I SAH but I do know some people who have sent their preemies to daycare at 8 weeks because they had no choice. This is something you need to discuss with your doctor and your husband and then make a decision. Don't use vaccines as a way to judge when to take your child out do what feels comfortable to you. Good for you for BF I incourage you to keep it up! Hope to see you on babycenter.
EDIT to add: It's normal that he wants to be held all the time it can be scary to be all alone in a huge crib when he is used to the incubator and all the noises. This usually passes with time and as he gets older. Since you say he is fussy only during one time of day it might be colic. Preemies tend to develop this and it usually happens around their due date. Talk to your doctor about this.

Okay try not to worry too much. Preemie babies are normal babies but I would suggest some care. Take note of what the NICU says. For instance, my baby was born a month early. He did have problems learning ot eat/suckle in the NICU but came out fine a week later. He puked up a lot, had a lot of gas, learned to suckle late meaning sippy cups, different nipple types etc. So I stuck with the Gerber latex slow flow nipples for a long time then oved to Gerber latex medium flow then fast flow when ready. My high risk OB said he would be a little behind in everything for the first year or two and he was right. Having said that he is normal, running around the house with M. chasing after him, sipping out of straws/sippy cups etc and he is 17 mos old. Yes he may have crawled, walked, learned to sip from cups later but hey he's normal and that's all I want. I never pushed him to do anything and he has learned everything on his own time. All babies do and they are all different. My baby was very gassy so I was sure to burp him after each and every feeding dilligently for a good 6 months. I kept his cradle propped up for the first 5 months. Mylicon gas drops helped here a lot. He was colicky (sp?) for a few months. The Gerber latex nipples for colic were great here. I held him a lot, got help when needed when he would cry a lot and I needed a 15 min break. We got through the gas (Mylicon/propping up), got through the colic (special nipples, holding, rocking, swing) and he is normal now. I did not get him RSV shot. Doc said it wasn't necessary but I will tell you I did not put him in any dangerous, high volume situation areas like the mall for the first 6 months. When I took him to the doctor, I covered his stroller w/a blanket. So I was a first time mom. Did I feel like I was overcautious? Maybe. Did people make fun of M.? Sure. But as a mom you know what is best for your child. Do what you feel is best. I listened to all advice and decided from that what I could use. And it all worked out. He is a thriving, smart, happy and funny child . Hang in there, listen to your gut and all will be well. Congratulations!