https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 11:52:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms#post-2220648 Sun, 28 Jun 2015 00:49:54 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2220648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: not a preemie mom but I am a nicu nurse. As far as pumping I would say take advantage of skin to skin and BF as much as possible to establish your supply. Most the moms I have worked with that are upset at their lack of milk don't pump at night. It is really important to pump as often as the baby would be BFing if they were home with you (every 2-3 hours). And most preemies do well going home taking both a bottle and breast so don't worry if you cant be there some feeds and the baby takes a bottle instead. </p> <p>How many weeks is your baby? For visitors I would say as few as possible right now. The majority of hands on should really be you and your husband doing skin to skin to bond. I know other people are dying to meet the baby but whats really best for the baby is bonding with his parents and getting good rest so he can gain weight and grow. Plus, the more visitors the more potential for germs. You are right in wanting to prevent over stimulation. </p> <p>Also, take care of yourself. It can be hard for parents to leave their babies but take advantage of this time to get any last minute things done at home.. sleep, shower, eat well. Get a very good nights sleep the night before discharge. If they offer "rooming in" where you basically do all your babies feeds and cares on your own in a room near the unit where there is help nearby if needed, take advantage of that. It makes families feel much better going home without the monitors. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms#post-2220622 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 22:40:58 +0000 MrsRcCar 2220622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: One thing my hospital did tell me about nursing him was to limit his time at the breast at first because he was burning too many calories trying to take in calories and maintain his body temp. He struggled a lot at first but then it was like something clicked. He never looked back. I would just say be there as much as possible but don't forget to take care of you too! That was extremely hard for me to do, but I also had a young toddler who didn't understand what all was happening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms#post-2220515 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 19:20:46 +0000 Torchwood 2220515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: I'll look them up, thank you! I'm pumping a lot and starting to get enough to cover all her feeds now. :) We also have very limited visitors (10 total allowed on the list, and once it's made it can't be changed for the whole time we're here). I just kind of suck at telling them to leave when needed. My mom I can kick out just fine. Though today she got overstimulated and was spitting up, so they said we need to limit visitors. DH just told his parents they said no visitors at all. :) So that's taken care of for a few days at least! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms#post-2220501 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 18:57:47 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2220501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wrote a few blog posts about pumping if you want to check them out, but establishing supply is key. Dylan had trouble eating so he was never able to breastfeed which was a bummer...</p> <p>I limited visitors to close family and then when we got out took an entire week just to ourselves which was really nice.</p> <p>I still do almost everything by adjusted age because it makes more sense. Everyone takes about catching up but i don't think it makes any sense... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms#post-2220497 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 18:27:23 +0000 Torchwood 2220497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: That's very encouraging that you're still nursing. That's one of my concerns. She does latch, but still not for any length of time. But it's nice to hear that it can be fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms#post-2220476 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 17:48:36 +0000 MrsRcCar 2220476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E was a 35 weeker. He wasn't breathing well when he was born. I pumped every 2-3 hours hours while he was in the hospital. We did start breastfeeding while he still had the NG tube. He didn't have a great latch due to his low tone and lip/tongue tie. That said he is 16 months old and still nursing like a champ. We started him nursing with a shield and weaned off around 3 months. We didn't have to worry about too many visitors (we don't live near people). However I chose to babywear a lot with him. It limited his contact with other people and their germs. </p> <p>There is a preemie mom check in board here. I know it has been a little quiet but there is a lot of great info there. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms#post-2220471 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 17:42:00 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2220471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Glad she's doing well! I don't have answers to your specific questions, but here's all the blog posts tagged NICU which may help or be comforting... <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/tag/nicu/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/tag/nicu/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms#post-2220442 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 16:09:52 +0000 Torchwood 2220442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any tips, advice, info? Like I know there's something about their adjusted age and hitting milestones, but I'm not clear 100%. I know they'll tell us that, but I like to know as much as I can. And tips for pumping? Breastfeeding? Being more assertive with visitors (i.e. In-laws)? </p> <p>She's doing well, and I'm still feeling pretty good about not being here forever, but we're very out of our element! </p>