Comments on: Due Time.

By: bunchkin

bunchkin — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:24:44 +0000

When my son came home from NICU with oxygen and an apnea monitor, I was pretty freaked out. But after neither of us were getting any sleep, onto his belly he went and we both started getting some sleep at night. I still laid him down for naps on his back to try and “train” him to sleep that way, since i wasnt quite so desperate for sleep during the day. He was sleeping on his back by the time the apnea monitor was taken away. And by taken away, i mean TAKEN AWAY. I totally begged them to let me keep it until he graduated high school. You get very dependent on those things!

By: Searching

Searching — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:41:02 +0000

I’m so excited to see that little critter home and in her momma’s arms, where she belongs! I’ll keep you in my prayers when my insomniac self isn’t sleeping either. Good luck to you both as you figure out some semblance of a decent life with a preemie newborn. It’s hard but oh so worth it! You are doing an awesome job, judging by those chubby cheeks Simone is getting!!

By: ann

ann — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:22:16 +0000

So I’m going to join the chorus recommending ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’ by Dr. Karp – I just finished it and thought of you & Simone frequently while I was reading it. It’s really good – though I really can’t speak from a practical standpoint, as I’m now 6 months preggo with my first baby, but figured I should read whatever I could before she actually arrived & I started in on the long strange trip of long-term sleep-deprivation (also known as motherhood).

And you are doing an awesome job – mother of the year indeed!! I’m just so happy she’s home at last & able to drive you nuts in person 24/7 instead of you having to worry about her those few hours you weren’t in the NICU with her.

By: Stacie

Stacie — Sun, 25 May 2008 08:11:46 +0000

My husband and I were just talking about our lack of words the other day! It’s sad because I teach and it happens at school, too. The kids have made it a game to try and figure out what I mean!

I am so glad that Simone is home where she belongs!

By: Marti from Michigan

Marti from Michigan — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:54:55 +0000

I would not put Simone on her belly to sleep, unless OK’d by her specialists – that is a SIDS no-no!

http://www.mypreciouskid.com/sleep-positioner-reflux.html

This thing, or another foam side-sleep positioner. Not on the belly if at all possible.

Having gone through SIDS with my sister’s son, I dislike belly sleeping for infants. I’m sorry for getting all flustered!

By: projectmommy

projectmommy — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:30:52 +0000

She’s adorable. What do you mean there is no milk in your collarbone? I thought that was normal!

By: Lynne

Lynne — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:48:13 +0000

I just realized that my post (2 seconds ago) might sound unclear. My meaning was this:
if you are putting Simone to sleep in a crib or bassinet, use the apnea monitor and put her on her belly (with the mattress on an incline). This is NOT the time to swaddle her. belly sleepers = no swaddle.
You should swaddle her if you are NOT putting her on her belly, like in the carseat (not in the car of course) or the swing. It’s possible to swaddle and strap into the swing, btw. that motion is really an incredible trick.
Ok, bye.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:44:25 +0000

I just this morning stumbled upon your site and wanted to say kudos to you. My first child was a preemie, as was my second. Though they were both born gestationally older than yours by a number of weeks, we spent many weeks in the NICU with them. I wish I’d had the presence of mind to record everything that happened, with photographs or words, and have had the oddest feelings of deja vu reading your blog.
I’m so glad for you that Simone is home and well.
Now, here’s the advice.
1) reflux. sometimes the docs forget how quickly preemies grow, so keep on top of them to be sure the dosages of her meds keep up with her weight. I went thru HELL with my little guy purely because he’d outgrown his dose (read: feeding team consult, physical therapy, a mistaken ERB’s palsy diagnosis…).
2) sleeping. I assume that since she’s on the apnea monitor she’s sleeping on her belly? if not, put. her. on. it. now. and incline the head of the mattress she’s sleeping on. also, swaddle. yeah, I know they told you not to swaddle her arms, but you need to do it. buy a copy of the dvd “the happiest baby on the block” by Harvey karp. He shows you how to swaddle perfectly. My younger son was swaddled that way for 3 full months after he came home from the hospital. It was the only way he’d sleep. Also, try putting her in the swing or infant seat (Swaddled) to sleep. the incline of the seats helps with the discomfort of refulx.
3) get a sound machine. and keep it on. the louder the better. NICU babies are used to lots of noise. I made the mistake of trying to be quiet in the house with my older son, and he still gets woken up all the time by noises. With my younger one, we had a sound machine from day 1 at home and that child, once asleep, will sleep through anything.

Also, and unfortunately for you, some babies just want to be held all the time. I learned to do literally everything other than drive with my younger son attached to the front of me. He turned 3 last week and wouldn’t you know it, his favorite place is snuggled right on top of me. Simone just might be like that.

Enjoy, you’re doing great, she’s great and you’ll be amazed by everything that happens next. It’s a real trip!

By: Bon

Bon — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:02:40 +0000

she makes me beam. and yeh, it’s totally unfair…they hit their due date and become these refluxy crying creatures…just when you’d kind of settled in to all that quiet.

the system adjusts. but be kind to yourself. :)

By: kari

kari — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:45:47 +0000

First lemme say … awww! She is so cute. I miss those days of latching on to anything that came near the mouth.
Second, my preemie couldn’t really digest and so her stomach was grumbly and she groaned, even when she was asleep. We tried every kind of formula, pure breastmilk, combo of the boob and forumla, gas drops, you name it. Her ped said she’d outgrow it and that’s the only thing that worked. By three months, she was sleeping well and not groaning all the time. Seems like forever now, though, I’m sure.