Hellobee Boards

@littleredhairedgrl: I don't have advice but wanted to say I am so happy to hear your update!

@littleredhairedgrl: they encouraged me to nurse E. If needed then supplement. Just remember whatever you choose, it is best for you and your family.

@littleredhairedgrl: My DD wasn't technically a preemie, but she was 4lbs 8ozs when we brought her home. Her suck was horrible- she never seemed to get anything, and it was excruciating. I pumped and nursed, and as she improved her sucking, I switched more to nursing, both because she was getting more and because it wasn't so painful. Best of luck to you!

@littleredhairedgrl: I can't help with feeding issues because my LO is still using a feeding tube, but I hope your doctor is able to help you decide what is best for your LO.

@mrs. 64: @littleredhairedgrl: Love to both of you and your little girls!

@Mrs. Blue: she did!

My LO is a 25 weeker who was born at 1lb15oz and is now 19lbs at 20 months (actual) - which is still tiny for his age, but it's huge to me!

I tried SO HARD to nurse, but it was kinda like you said, too hard for LO, then I still had to feed him a bottle and pump after. The time just didn't add up. Once I resigned myself to EPing, I felt a lot of relief, but was still angry about not being able to nurse (and jealous), but I figured it just wasn't best for Dylan.

As far as gear, I don't know? I love Carter's clothes because they run small and skinny... But once you're out, you don't need anything super special. We went to OT for awhile and we to to Ped often and follow-up clinic, but otherwise, we're just living life!

@mrs. 64: what surgery did LO have? Dylan had a PDA surgery...let me know if you want to talk more!!

@littleredhairedgrl: I'm so glad to hear you are home!! I don't have any preemie advice, but just wanted to say hello. We have been home for two weeks also. I know our LOs have different issues but I definitely understand your feelings of being isolated and people not understanding your situation. Big hugs to you!

I'm glad you started this board as I felt like there weren't that many preemie moms when I was lurking and trying to get advice or support. My daughter was born at 28 weeks and was 2 lbs 9oz. She was in the nicu for two months and today is a healthy 31 lbs almost 3 year old!
My daughter had a hard time latching and we were never able to successfully breast feed so I pumped until my milk dried up ( about 4 months). She was on formula after that and always took to the bottle like a champ once she figured out how to feed while in the nicu.
I agree with mrs green grass that Carter's preemie clothes were great. Inexpensive and cute and fit perfectly.
My only advice is to take it one day at a time and invest in a woven wrap so when you bring baby home you can wear them and continue the skin on skin.
@mrs.64 - I know how hard it is but if you ever need to talk, know that we are here. Big big hugs to you.

My LO was born at 34 weeks and stayed in the NICU 11 days. I ended supplementing as well as BFing because I wanted LO to put on weight faster. I pumped a ton as well, using the hospital grade pump.

@littleredhairedgrl: Being a mom of a preemie is so hard. I still have lots of jealousy issues over women who seem to have normal birth experiences at full term or get to take a picture with their LO after birth. My LO had to be recessitated and then put on oxygen. Also, leaving the hospital without your baby is the worst feeling I've ever had in my life. I can't tell you how much I cried and still cry thinking about it.

@littleredhairedgrl: I cried every time is left E. I called every night to check on him. I was so resentful and jealous of all the mommys leaving with their babies. It was also hard following my birth because I was on the mother baby unit without him. I just got to hear all the other babies around me. I also had the pleasure of telling my nurse at shift change that my baby was in the special care unit.

@littlek: that's awful. I has one nurse who was determined to keep me on the unit because I had a spinal fluid leak. I however spent as much time as I could in special care with E. My nurse actually called SC to tell the nurses to send me back down because I had been down there long enough.

@Mrs Green Grass: C had a PDA ligation as well. It was scary as heck, but it really was the turn around point for her.

@littleredhairedgrl: How did the doctor go today? I have a hospital grade Symphony and it works so well. I would definitely get one if you plan on EPing. It's nice that you have the Freestyle though because then you can take that places if needed. I have hauled the Symphony around a handful of times and it is huge pain.

@Ctran: @twodoghouse: @jhd: Thanks.

@Ctran: Glad to hear your daughter is doing well!

@MrsRcCar: Being on the mother-baby unit without your baby is absolutely terrible. I could hear other babies crying and I wanted mine so badly. I had nurses and another mom on the unit tell me how I looked great, had lost the baby weight, and would be in a bikini in no time. It all made me cry because I looked "great" because I only carried my baby to 25 weeks.

@littlek: I am sad that I never got to do so many of the things I looked forward to- having a big bump, wearing all the maternity clothes I bought, a baby shower, a "happy" birth experience. The day my daughter was born was one of the worst, not best, days of my life. I didn't even get to see her for 29 hours after she as born. It was terrible and I'm still struggling with how scary everything was.

@littleredhairedgrl: I don't know if DS2 is too unique for me to relate to you guys, but I might as well try I guess!

My water broke at 30w, was in the hospital until DS2 was born at 32w1d, had a brain injury at birth, got a feeding tube placed and came home after 65 days, home for 25, developed NEC, back to the NICU for surgeries, stayed for another 63 days, and has been home since early Feb. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy but has responded very well to therapy, and is even taking baby food by mouth now.

I was actually watching Grey's Anatomy for the first time and kept getting NICU flashbacks! With all of the monitors and the beeping and the terms I remember too well.

@mrs. 64: I haven't seen your story before! If DS2's history hasn't scared you away I'd be happy to talk with you. Hope your sweet DD can get off the vent soon. I still sometimes struggle with flashbacks to his birth, since it was an emergency c section due to cord prolapse, I can still vividly picture the way the cord looked coming out of me and how it felt, and how terrified I was when I woke up with no pain meds and no one with me...

lots of love to all the preemie mamas, no matter at what point in the struggle you are!

I this thread :).

@beaker: I'm glad to hear therapy is going well. Would love to hear more if you care to share.

@mrs. 64: Is LO on steroids? We did them about a week after the PDA Ligation. And that was when he really really started to turn around. I hope they can get LO off the vent soon! Are you doing any NICU activities to keep yourself sane?

@littleredhairedgrl: lol @ McDreamy

I forgot to mention that DS2 initially came home on a heartrate/apnea monitor, so if anyone else is going through that or debating I can answer questions.

@littleredhairedgrl: You could try nursing for every other feeding. And only let her go a little while like 15 mins, so she doesn't get too tired in case she still needs a bottle after.