Re: NICU/Premie moms - help/advice please

First and foremost - just be there for her. Having a baby in NICU is emotionally draining. I went home at night to get some rest but every day that I walked in I held my breath waiting to see what news I would hear - is he better? worse? the same? Could I even hold him that day? She will probably be very emotional if and when she leaves the hospital to go home. It is such an empty and disappointing feeling going home without the little one.

Offer to help at home. Cook meals. Bring meals to the hospital waiting room area if she doesn't want to go to far. Maybe bring someone in to be with the baby if she doesn't want to leave the baby alone and take her to get something to eat.
Also, a previous poster mentioned this - ask questions over and over again. About everything. IT doesn't matter if it is the simplest thing. You must make sure you know what is going on with your baby and that what is going on is correct. I had a great experience with my NICU nurses, except for one. I made sure I was there and I spoke to every doctor, specialist and nurse.
Tell your sister not too feel embarassed by anything. We even read our son books while he was in the incubator.

Good luck. It will be an emotional road but I cannot tell you how incredible it will be for her when the baby is home. Hugs to your family.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - help/advice please

I agree with what everyone said...and a book cant remember the name of it but it from Dr. Sears...It was like a guide book for preemies. It was very helpful. Also get her a journal or a calendar to keep track of the going ons of the NICU. This helped me bc it gave me some control of a situation that I had no control over. It also helps with the trips the specialists once the baby is home.

Good luck to her! FM me for anything else...oh yes and one preemie born 31 weeks 6 days 2lbs 9 oz...spent 73 days in
second baby full term with heart defect and had open heart surgery 4 days old...so I have spent my time in the NICU!

Re: NICU/Premie moms - help/advice please

definitely offers to cook food, speak to family members and friends, clean, driving her to the NICU (this helped me alot bc I couldn't drive for 2 weeks after my c-section and DH had to go back to work)
Maybe do some research to see if there are any preemie parent support groups...I really wish I had looked into this bc being the parent of a preemie is a totally differnt ball game than being the mom of a full term baby....it's nice to speak to other moms...ones that have been thorugh it.

IF she needs to talk, has questions, etc. please FM me and I'll give my email and phone #...I would have loved to have someone to talk to when DS was in the NICU and after he came home.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - help/advice please

wow! I just got home from the hospital to see all these replies - THANK YOU!!

She had today - she's teeny tiny at 1lb, 13oz, but mom and baby are doing well.

I truly appreciate all the advice, insights, recommendations and prayers!!!

(she's at Winthrop)

Message edited 2/2/2010 9:40:24 PM.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED

my aunt delivered my twin cousins 11 years ago at 27 1/2 weeks....one weighed just over 2 lbs, the other a few ounces shy of 2 lbs. they were in the NICU for a while and then stayed in the hospital until just around their estimated due date. she was told that only time would tell if and what problems they might experience. thank g-d they are perfectly healthy with absolutely no problems. and that was 11 years ago....the technology has improved so much since. good luck to your family.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED

Posted by -Lisa-

wow! I just got home from the hospital to see all these replies - THANK YOU!!

She had today - she's teeny tiny at 1lb, 13oz, but mom and baby are doing well.

I truly appreciate all the advice, insights, recommendations and prayers!!!

(she's at Winthrop)

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED

Posted by nbc188

Posted by chmlengr

Lisa, no advice, just sending some good thought vibes and some HUGS to your sister and her baby

Me too

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED

Glad to hear she's doing well. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

PS- Winthrop has one of the best NICUs!

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED

Posted by -Lisa-

wow! I just got home from the hospital to see all these replies - THANK YOU!!

She had today - she's teeny tiny at 1lb, 13oz, but mom and baby are doing well.

I truly appreciate all the advice, insights, recommendations and prayers!!!

(she's at Winthrop)

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED

so tiny - so cute!

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Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

awwwww such a tiny little peanut!!! Lots of and good wishes to your sister and her DH!

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED

My twins were born just shy of 27 weeks and were both a little over 2lbs each. My babies are ten months now and doing well. They are delayed for a 10 month old, but if you go by their adjusted age (which she is going to have to do) they are pretty much on par. Also, there are going to be good days and bad, but thank God as time goes by...we were able to get through all of the bad stuff. If she needs someone to talk to, which helped me..I will be more than willing to do so..just fm me!!! Here are a few things that I did:


I didn't spend an entire day at the NICU and if she can't do that, she shouldn't feel bad. I found it extremely draining and I only went for about three hours a day (sometimes more), but there is only so much you can do in the very beginning.

Tell her to do Kangeroo Care.

She should join a site called Carepages.com when she is ready. I posted updates on my babies on a daily basis. Everyone I know was able to check it and get the latest on their health. It was so much easier than getting a hundred phone calls a day.

I wouldn't recommend reading any books. When a doctor had a concern, I asked about it and than did some research. The books will scare her to death!!

Tell her to also communicate with others in her shoes.

Tell her to take the time to do things for herself and her baby. I finished decorating their room, hit BRU for last minute things, got together with friends ( to get my mind off of things), went to the spa...etc.

Tell her to find out about Early Intervention. I love this program and even at their 6 month review, I was still pushing for it (even though they are doing well). It can't hurt them and it's cheap!!!

Ask about putting a tape recorder of your voice in the isolette. She can read a book on it or just speak to her.


Tons of hugs her way because I know her pain and it is not easy...

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

praying for her she is so cute and tiny

Congrats on being an aunt

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

omg how sweet - look at that tiny diaper!!

Congratulations, Auntie, and lots of luck and well wishes to your family.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

Oh Lisa-she is precious. Please let me know if you need anything at all. My friend has twin girls born at 29 weeks and they are healthy, happy and almost 4 years old now. My kids were not super preemies but I definitely have some experience with NICU. Good luck to your whole family

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

awwww God bless her!
and congrats on your neice!

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

Oh how precious I hope she continues to do well!!!

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

Congrats! And that she is out of NICU in record time.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

My DD was born at 32 weeks and spent 5 weeks in the NICU at Winthrop.

I have no complaints whatsoever about her care.

My best advice for your sister, is to talk to the other moms. Especailly the ones that are in the A nursery with her DD.

DD was but in B at birth, bt moved to C a few weeks later. And it was great just to talk to other moms that are going through the same thing you are.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

Congrats.....she looks adorable!!

All 3 of my kids were in winthrops NICU, they received great care. The nurses were amazing and are a great resource. Ask them questions!!!!! They are usually more helpful and easier to get in touch with than the doctors!

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

First of all congratulations to your sister .

My cousin had twin boys at 26 weeks. We just attended their first birthday party last weekend . They are doing great and are super cute!! I would say just be there for her. It is a very trying time with many ups and many downs. She will likely become emotionally drained and will need you to lean on.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

awww so glad she is doing well ~ She is sooo cute!!!

Message edited 2/3/2010 5:07:12 PM.

Re: NICU/Premie moms - UPDATED (now w/pic!)

she's an angel


what's her name!?