https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 08:11:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252750 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 21:50:24 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2252750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Let me know if you need an LC in the area, I have a great one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252749 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 21:50:19 +0000 jhd 2252749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I had a NICU baby, but he wasn't a preemie. So happy to hear your NICU has private rooms! We had one at our home hospital before being transferred and it was so good to stay with my LO. You are probably tired of hospital food already but I found it so helpful that I was able to just order my meals in the room--also sometimes they were able to make things that weren't on the menu or part of daily specials--a sweet lady who delivered trays told me that. PPs have given great advice so I don't have much to add. But we did enjoy bringing a bedtime story book for LO and a few receiving blankets from home (even though the hospital has plenty) just to have something from home in the early days, especially since he didn't wear clothes for a few days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252747 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 21:48:05 +0000 jh524 2252747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: rent the hospital grade pump while your there. Insurance should cover it and they are amazing! Also use the LC there if you need her for any bf-ing help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252742 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 21:40:58 +0000 lady grey 2252742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: thats so cool that they have space for you to sleep over in the nicu! A lot of nicus don't offer that. Definitely ask to do skin to skin time as soon and as much as possible. This will help your milk supply, as well as be really good for the babies and for bonding. The nurses should know all about it, but you may have to remind them that you'd like to do skin to skin as soon as they feel it is safe to do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252712 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:18:42 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2252712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I'm so glad you guys are so close by! hoping they keep cooking as long as possible! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252711 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:17:46 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2252711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: for us, we just couldn't hold him when he was on the ventilator. Many babies avoid that all together, even if they need the nose cannula with oxygen that should be fine to carry them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252709 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:14:36 +0000 BSB 2252709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: yeah, they said it's very rare that twins in the nicu will go home together. Especially, since the girl is exposed with her sac being broken. As for the car ride, we are only 10-15 minutes from home, so it shouldn't be too bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252706 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:10:37 +0000 Torchwood 2252706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: The skin to skin can actually help them keep warm. We were able to start on the day after she was born. I think most of what I'd suggest has been mentioned, but I would add that if you have friends/family in the area, I'd see about having them bring food. I particularly recommend food you can eat with one hand (muffins are excellent). You'll be pumping/nursing/holding babies a lot, and you will be very hungry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252697 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 19:54:31 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2252697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: oh my gosh that is so awesome! fingers crossed you all get to go home together, but if not at least you can spend more time with those babies and less time in the car &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252694 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 19:53:42 +0000 ElbieKay 2252694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I did not have a NICU baby, but I did a lot of pumping during my first eight postpartum weeks thanks to a painful latch. I found the regular Medela shields very uncomfortable and wound up using the Pumpin Pals after market shields instead. I also had to lubricate them with olive oil. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252676 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 19:13:57 +0000 BSB 2252676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: ah, great. Thank you. I asked the nicu nurse if we could touch the babies and they said yes and they encourage it. I didn't ask about carrying the babies but I guess they'll be a period when the babies are too unstable to be held. I'm guessing early on when they have trouble keeping warm. I'll ask though. Skin to skin does sound like it will be beneficial to the babies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252675 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 19:10:02 +0000 BSB 2252675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: oh, I forgot to reply to you. We had a tour of the nicu today. They have private rooms for us to stay in after our babies are stabilized. Each private room has a hospital pump (medula symphony), a bed, a recliner, a fridge and a monitor for each baby. There are larger twin and triplet rooms that I will have to see if they are available when I go into labor. The one thing we will have to deal with is when one baby is discharged, we are able to bring that baby back to the hospital but we won't be able to stay overnight with that baby. So one of us will have to take that baby home if one of us wants to stay with the other baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252666 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:44:32 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2252666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: it means skin to skin with the baby. In the case of our little babies, you can just slide them through the top of a tank top or low cut t-shirt! Babies love it, it calms them down, helps regulate their breathing, etc. Men can do it too :happy: the nurses will know about it but you may have to bring it up. </p> <p>Yes similar stories, but my sincerest hope is that they induce you at 34w instead of you going into labor (like me!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252648 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:05:28 +0000 BSB 2252648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: No, I don't but I should get one soon. </p> <p>@AmandaB8: I think most of my bills are already on auto bill pay, we'll have to keep track of the ones that don't have bill pay.</p> <p>@youboots: thanks! I'll add it to my amazon registry.</p> <p>@lady grey: thanks! We just took a tour of the nicu. They do have a pump in each private room for me to use while we are there. I'll have to look into buying or renting one for home use. It was good seeing the nicu beforehand and them describing what all the machines are for. Also, the ability to stay overnight. Though, once one baby is discharged, that baby won't be able to spend the night... So one of us will have to go home with the baby and the other stays. Though, if we both want to go home, I know our baby/ babies will be in good hands. </p> <p>@blackbird: good idea. I'll probably always have my iPad or kindle with me but good to jot it down so I don't forget.</p> <p>@Mrs. Tiger: thanks! I found a link to your HB blog and it has some great tips. Seems like you and I are/went through the same thing with our water breaking early. Thanks! Oh, one thing I've seen you and others mention is kangaroo care. What is that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252643 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 17:54:38 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2252643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Grab a hands-free pump bra and a nursing cover so you can pump at their bedside. Plus a robe for you with pockets, especially if the nicu and your room are far apart, so you can carry stuff back and forth. </p> <p>Take as many buckets of stuff home that the nurses will give you! Diapers, nose aspirators, thermometers, froggies (the beanbag thing which can help hold pacis), pacis (they have tiny ones for preemies, I think they're purple), the buckets themselves (for baths), etc. </p> <p>There are several NICU blog posts as well, which probably have good tips for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252567 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 15:16:29 +0000 blackbird 2252567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Download a book or something. I needed something to pass the time. I read and DH did sudoku </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252565 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 15:15:32 +0000 lady grey 2252565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They should have a hospital grade breast pump in the nicu for you to use. But if you plan to rent your own anyway or plan to do a lot of back and forth then prob good idea to get your before babies are born. Since you're hanging out on bed rest I would recommend doing some reading about pumping. Feeding the babies will become a big thing on your mind once they are born, and it would be a good thing to feel prepared about.</p> <p>This video may be helpful:<br /> <a href="http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html" rel="nofollow">http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252536 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 14:08:41 +0000 youboots 2252536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: this is the lounger. We loved ours and used it till she was about 3 months. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-4300113K-2PK-Newborn-Lounger/dp/B00AIVNBN4" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-4300113K-2PK-Newborn-Lounger/dp/B00AIVNBN4</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252473 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 12:41:14 +0000 AmandaB8 2252473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get all of your utility payments and bills on an automated bill pay. Make life as effortless as possible. Gather info for restaurants that deliver around the hospital. </p> <p>Handsfree pumping bras are amazing. Once you find out what pump you'll use, order extra sets of parts so you're not constantly washing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252461 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 12:27:45 +0000 MsMini 2252461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you already have a hands free pumping bra? You will potentially have a lot of pumping to do while babies are in NICU and that could be a big help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252399 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 11:05:38 +0000 BSB 2252399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: @twodoghouse: Yeah, we have the Chicco keyfit and the NICU dr did mention that they have to do a car seat check before we leave. </p> <p>@twodoghouse: great advice and tips! Oh, there's a boppy and a boppy lounger? Need to look into that.</p> <p>I'll ask about the infant CPR. I planned to do that this month. I hope the hospital has classes that I can go to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252396 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 11:01:19 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2252396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This may not be an option at your hospital, but I was allowed to stay at the hospital with my 34 weeker after I was discharged. they had a separate section of overflow rooms, and we were able to sleep there until he was discharged. even if you could just stay a couple extra days that can go a long way toward bonding/kangaroo care/pumping. especially with two babies! they loaned me a pump to use until I went home and I was able to switch to my regular PISA. I know it's not an option everywhere, but it was such a blessing. we all went home together on day 8. it's worth asking if that would be helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252380 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 10:23:01 +0000 twodoghouse 2252380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids didn't go to the NICU, but a large part of our multiples class was about NICU since so many twins end up there. One thing that I thought was a good idea was to have one notebook for each baby that you keep current stats/plans/notes or questions for the drs, etc. That way it can stay with each baby and whichever family member is with each child when the drs round, you can keep notes right there. This is presuming that the babies will be separated in the NICU (our NICU does not keep the babies in the same crib although I understand that some do. Our NICU has separate sort of rooms without doors that they called pods and each baby was in their own pod). You may want to get all of the NICU rules for visitors down as well. Our NICU allowed two guests of the parents' choosing to have all of the privileges of the parents, but other people would be treated like visitors and had to be signed in, accompanied by a parent, etc. </p> <p>You may want to order after-birth care type of stuff on Amazon and have it delivered to your house, unless your husband is comfortable with buying pads, witch hazel wipes, etc.! :) I'd get some basic nursing camis online too and have those ready to go. I liked the cheap Gilligan &amp; OMalley camis from Target. You can invest in nicer nursing bras once you settle into a size and once you know how nursing is going to go for you.</p> <p>What car seats do you have for the little ones? We had Chicco Keyfit 30s which go down to 4 lbs. Blake was just over 4 lbs when we were released from the hospital. He had to do the carseat test (which I imagine yours will do as well, being released from the NICU), but he fit fine in it at that size. </p> <p>When my twins were tiny, they didn't fit into boppies. I often found I needed to place one somewhere very close to me while I fed the other. I highly recommend the boppy lounger for this! You can set it next to you on the couch so you can have a hand available to soothe one baby while feeding the other. But it doesn't have a hole in it like a regular boppy, which was perfect for an extra small baby.</p> <p>Does your NICU offer you baby CPR classes? It was a requirement to do a baby CPR class if your child was in the NICU at our hospital, but you actually had to sign up through the Red Cross for it. I'd look into that and see if it's offered on-site. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252378 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 10:15:43 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2252378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Which car seat did you get? FYI, NICU babies have to pass a car seat test. So you can install the bases but you'll have to bring the seats in... Chicco are rated for 4 lbs and up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expecting-a-nicu-baby#post-2252368 Sun, 02 Aug 2015 09:52:26 +0000 BSB 2252368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As you guys know, my babies will be born at 34 weeks or earlier due to PPROM... NICU dr has confirmed they will go to the NICU even at 34 weeks.</p> <p>Trying to get a list together of things to get done when I do give birth...</p> <p>(Oh, I'm also on hospital bed rest (since 28w) so my list includes things I plan to do once I recover and finally get to go home!!!)</p> <p>Babies will be in the NICU for at least 2 weeks (NICU Dr said that babies could stay til their due date (6 weeks) , so I can...</p> <p>-get car seats installed (I know there is a chance that I may have to get a preemie car seat, since the car seats we have might be too big), but I think it's good to have our car seats check and inspected<br /> -buy/rent hospital breast pump<br /> -rent a hospital scale (if suggested)<br /> -buy new/used premie sized cloth diaper covers (prefolds will be supplied by a cloth diaper service)<br /> -organize and get/do last minute nursery items<br /> -bring home a onesie for dogs to get used to babies' smell<br /> -start looking for used preemie gear on MOM (mothers of multiples sites). Do this after babies are born since they may or may not need to wear preemie clothes when they are released to go home.<br /> -Twin related: plan to bring one baby home, while one remains in the hospital. Plan on lots of trips to/from hospital to feed babies</p> <p>What else am I missing or forgetting? </p>