https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:19:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1101908 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:47:36 +0000 lemondrop 1101908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: prayers still coming your way! Been thinking about your family and hoping for the best! Keep hanging in there Mama, we are here for you and your little fighter! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1101853 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:04:23 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1101853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone. As those who've been through the NICU know, we have good days and bad days. Now little boy needs to learn to swallow his secretions (ie spit) before he can tackle bottle/breastfeeding. He's out of the incubator in an open crib now, and off all breathing support (he was intubated multiple times, had a canula for a while after that) so he's made great progress, but sometimes it feels like he won't make it all the way, since he needs to be suctioned out by the nurses constantly to keep his oxygen level up. </p> <p>Because of his rough start (which different doctors refer to in terrible ways, like the event, the trauma, asphyxiation... I hate that.) there is some question how far his progress will go, will it plateau at some point, or continue steadily. He had "moderate to severe" brain swelling in the first few days but seems to be over that now, and the neurologist wants to see him when he's 40 weeks. I'm a bit nervous since the docs switch over starting today, and I really liked the one we had, I just hope the new one has faith in him and doesn't freak me out.</p> <p>All of your prayers and kind words are very much appreciated. Some days I feel like talking and some days I just break down emotionally, and having this forum as an option for venting a bit is really great. Wish I could reach out to all of you individually but I can't figure out how on my phone :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1094480 Wed, 18 Sep 2013 09:54:22 +0000 kjpugs 1094480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: hey lady, just checking in! Congrats on the baby, hope you are all doing well!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1073230 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 20:18:43 +0000 littlek 1073230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on your baby! Sending prayers to you and your family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1073108 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 19:34:27 +0000 Ginabean3 1073108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on your baby and thoughts and prayers to your entire family! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1072970 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 18:23:02 +0000 lemondrop 1072970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sending good thoughts your way, congrats on having your baby though! I'm sorry it has been so stressful for your family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1072938 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 17:43:12 +0000 MsMini 1072938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations on the birth of your baby! I hope that your NICU experience is as quick and smooth as possible. I am sorry to hear about the oxygen deprivation, but those little guys are amazing creatures, so stay positive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1072909 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 17:19:54 +0000 LovelyPlum 1072909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Wishing you both speedy recoveries!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1072631 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 12:14:31 +0000 LaineysMom 1072631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: :(. Wishing you and your LO a safe and speedy recovery.. Hoping you get some good news soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips/page/2#post-1072620 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 11:57:03 +0000 MrsF 1072620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: sending healing thoughts to you and your family :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1072598 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 11:27:36 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1072598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry about the emergency! I hope everyone recovers well. I'll be thinking about all of you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1072444 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 08:19:03 +0000 singingbee 1072444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: prayers! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1072441 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 08:17:09 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1072441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry about the anoxia. Do you know what his sats were? Sounds super scary! I'll keep my fingers crossed and am happy to interpret any medical information for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1072404 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 07:24:43 +0000 avivoca 1072404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: I'm praying for you and your little boy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1072396 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 07:12:18 +0000 Sweet T 1072396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: oh my goodness! I am so sorry! You and your family are in my prayers. I hope you receive nothing but good news from here on out! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1072392 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 07:08:48 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1072392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is the last ill update this thread. I had to have an emergency c section last night due to cord prolapse. Baby is ok but had mucus or something stuck in his lungs, and it took them over 30 minutes to clear out during which time he only got limited oxygen. He appears to be doing well as of this morning, as they took his breathing tube out, but the fear/danger is brain damage from initial lack of oxygen. Docs said to take it one day at a time, but are happy he peed last night, which means his kidneys are ok, which suggests his brain may also be ok too.</p> <p>I am in a bit of pain, had to be put to sleep (with my husband still on his way) because no time for other anesthesia. I also keep reliving the traumatic experience pre operation of being rushed in and terrified. </p> <p>Thanks for all of your support and prayers, I won't be checking back in for a while but appreciate them none the less. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1071809 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 15:24:34 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1071809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I know, woohoo! The nurses joked that I have nothing to do but count days :)</p> <p>@Mrs Green Grass: I already completed crocheting a baby blanket, haha. My sister just sent me a cross-stitch baby announcement, I guess I'll work on that next! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1071790 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 15:13:51 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1071790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: I know. I was there for 17 days. No toddler, but I teach HS and felt like I just left 150 kids hanging. Your toddler won't remember any of this. Might be a good time to take up a hobby you never have time for or watch a tv series... I did an embroidery birth announcement and then learned to crochet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1071763 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 14:55:12 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1071763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: congrats on making 32 weeks by the way! Every day counts! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1071761 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 14:53:17 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1071761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: hospital stay is honestly fine, I just wish I could help my husband at home with our toddler, so its hard to accept sitting here doing nothing - I try to remind myself that I am in charge of growing baby boy to be as strong as he can :) thanks for your kind words and advice, hope your little one is doing great at home now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1071544 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 10:57:50 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1071544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: that's great! I'm glad you got specific advice. The pacifiers help develop the ability breathe, suck, swallow at the same time. It can be a challenge... I hope the hospital stay is going okay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1071490 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 09:36:20 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1071490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Had a NICU tour yesterday, which definitely helped me to feel more like I can handle this. They have several big rooms with space for maybe 10-15 babies each, with a rocking chair next to each station (with either an isolette, incubator, or open crib - apologies if these are the wrong terms). They have a different room for Kangaroo care, which I didn't get to see, but they apparently have reclinable chairs, although you aren't allowed to nurse or feed the baby in there. It looked like most people left boppys on their rocking chairs, and most people brought blankets/hats/clothes from home. I was surprised to see that most babies were being cared for by the nurses, not family members. </p> <p>The nurse recommended halo sleep sacks (which they use once they move to the open cribs), and the gowns with the elastic bottoms, or the snap sleepers as you all have said. I have several of those in the newborn size (not preemie) from my son, and she said not to worry about buying preemie stuff, we can just roll up the sleeves. I guess I'll hold off buying anything until baby is here.</p> <p>They said they will (or I can) give baby whatever I can pump, even just droplets of colostrum, but not to expect him to be able to breast feed right away, even if I can make it to 34 weeks. They also apparently use/encourage pacifiers, when for my first son the nurses were strongly against them. They also said even if I end up with a c-section (baby is breech currently) that as long as I don't have medical problems I can come and be with baby in the NICU right away, which is a relief.</p> <p>So thanks again everyone. You're all the best :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1068771 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:15:45 +0000 ALittleP 1068771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi there, I don't post too often but my water broke at 31 weeks; two-week hospital bedrest and I delivered at 33 weeks (was trying to make it to 35 weeks). We were in the NICU for two weeks. I got a NICU tour by wheelchair by a March of Dimes volunteer. It helped me to have a mental image of where she would go immediately after delivery - it was less scary for me.</p> <p>I can't add anything to what has already been said by everyone else but to send more good wishes and hope your little one can hang on for a few more weeks :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1068158 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 17:51:19 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1068158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: just said ever so much more concisely what my novella was trying to convey! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1068084 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:58:41 +0000 MsMini 1068084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am an NICU nurse, and I will give you my best tips (this might be repetitive because I don't have a ton of time to read through all the responses)</p> <p>- Bring some of your own clothes and blankets, it helps to make the baby feel more like "yours" (they are but I have been told sometimes it doesn't feel like it at first)<br /> - Carter's clothes fit prem babies better than any other brand! Love and snuggles brand fit horribly and look sloppy<br /> - Avoid zipper sleepers, they don't work with the monitor cables.<br /> - Bring a nice fluffy blanket for skin to skin time, and bring it with you when you pump, it will help remind you of cuddling and your pumping will be more productive.<br /> - Remember to eat and drink lots, and try your best to get enough sleep, I can't tell you how many parents get run down and sick (and when you are sick you can't visit the baby because of the infection risk)<br /> - When in doubt, ask the nurses! We can be your best ally with the doctors.<br /> - Find a couple nurses that you like and trust, and get to know them, the more you know each other, the easier it is to work together! Most NICU's use a primary care nursing model of care, where you can ask a nurse to be a "primary care nurse" and they will always care for your baby while you are there, and they help a lot with care planning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1068072 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:53:41 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1068072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: sorry it turned into a novel! I started typing it last night on my phone and I kept adding a thing or two until today when I realized it had become ridiculous. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1068038 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:38:26 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1068038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: wow, thanks for taking the time to type all that up, it's so helpful and encouraging :)</p> <p>@lemondrop: I lived in a robe at the hospital after my first, it's one of the things I remembered to grab in the rush to pack when my water broke this time :)</p> <p>Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts, prayers &amp; advice - hopefully I will have nothing exciting to talk about for two more weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1067289 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 12:02:31 +0000 MamaMoose 1067289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no advice but I'll be sending good thoughts your way to keep that baby cooking.</p> <p>I was intending to comment and refer you to @Sweet T: since you have such amazingly similar circumstances but I see you've found each other already! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1067287 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 12:02:21 +0000 Sweet T 1067287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: best of luck to you too! My due date was October 30th. We actually planned a small get together with family for DS's birthday. It was planned for Saturday and my water broke that morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/requesting-nicu-for-dummies-tips#post-1067282 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 12:00:04 +0000 littlek 1067282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@beaker: Sounds like a good status update! Fingers crossed things keep going well. </p>