This site is created to help new preemie moms (and Dads). We hope to offer guidance, hope, and advice at a time of fear and uncertainty. My son, Noah, was born at 26 weeks weighing just 2lbs 1oz. He spent 11 weeks in the NICU. He is now a happy, healthy three year old! If you have any information to add to this site please feel free contact me
. Advice: - Get a few primary nurses (nurses assigned to your baby whenever they are working). -Ask questions as many times as you need to so that you understand what is happening with your baby. - Be an advocate for your baby. If something doesn't seem right, speak up. - Take every day one at a time. There will be good and bad days, that's why it's called the NICU rollercoaster. - Take lots of pictures. Take weekly pictures next to a marker, stuffed toy, etc to measure growth. - Keep a journal or calendar, refer back to the good days often. - Celebrate little milestones. - Ask what you can do to help your baby. Once they are stable you can often change diapers, take temps, etc. - Rest and take the time you need to take care of yourself. - Attend NICU support groups if available. - Ask for help from others if you need it. - Start a blog to keep friends and family members updated, and to give yourself something to look back on when your baby is older. -Don't watch the monitors, watch your child. It helps you to enjoy your baby more. Links: Terms used in the NICU : http://www.umassmemorial.org/MedicalCenterIP.cfm?id=3409 Breastfeeding and Pumping - www.kellymom.com Preemie Message Board: http://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/4236745/ShowForum.aspx A comprehensive Web site that provides information for parents after the NICU: http://www.pediatrics.emory.edu/neonatology/dpc/ Articles and resources empowering parents of children with disabilities and special needs: http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/Information and support regarding reflux: http://www.reflux.org Information and resources regarding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): http://www.ropard.org/ Letter explaining RSV to friends and family: http://www.preemiecare.org/rsvletter.pdf Informative preemie blog : www.preemieparenting.blogspot.com Guide for gross and fine motor skills and development games: http://www.earlychildhood.msstate.edu/motoractivities/infant-toddler.pdf Isabell's Gift, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families with children in the NICU: http://www.isabelsgift.com/ Preemie baby book template to commemorate your child's time in the NICU: http://www.earlyarrivalinc.com/index.html Request "Please Wash Your Hands Before Touching Mine" stroller sign: http://www.synagis.com/rsv-protection.aspx Books: Early days Preemies: The Guide for Parents of Premature Babiesby Dana Wechsler Linden, Emma Trenti Paroli, and Mia Wechsler Doron M.D. (2000)
Handbook of neonatal intensive care Baby E.R. : The heroic doctors and nurses who perform medicine's tiniest miracles Kangaroo care: the best you can do to help your preterm infant Emotions and psychology Parenting your premature baby and child : the emotional journey Parents of premature infants: their emotional world Learning to love: the developing relationships between mother, father and baby during the first year Before their time: lessons in living from those born too soon Empty cradle, broken heart: surviving the death of your baby The fate of early memories: developmental science and the retention of childhood experiences Development of premature babies Developmental and Behavioral Characteristics of Preterm Infants Breastfeeding Mothering multiples: breastfeeding and caring for twins or more Breastfeeding the infant with special needs
Stories by parents Laurel's primer for parents of micro-preemies Living miracles: stories of hope from parents of premature babies The
peace of God - a mother's journal of God's grace for her and her family
during a high-risk pregnancy and the premature birth of their daughter You are not alone - 20 stories of hope, heroism, heartache and healing told by the parents of children treated in the NICU
Caring for your premature baby : a complete resource for parents In time and with love : caring for the special needs baby Sleeping Sleep better! A guide to improving sleep for children with special needs Communication and speech development How to talk to your baby: a guide to maximising your child's language and learning skills The new language of toys : teaching communication skills to children with special needs: a guide for parents and teachers Baby signs : how to talk with your baby before your baby can talk Long-term medical problems Hydrocephalus : a guide for patients, families and friends ADHD in the young child : driven to re-direction : a book for parents and teachers Behavioral intervention for young children with autism : a manual for parents and professionals Pediatric tracheostomy home care guide That's my child : strategies for parents of children with disabilities by Patricia Vadasy and Donald Joseph Meyer (November 1996) Clothing *Each NICU has different requirements about when babies can be dressed. Please check with your NICU before buying micro-preemie clothes. Wal-mart Babies R Us http://www.preemie.com/Micro-Preemie_c_3.html http://www.babylinq.com/micropreemieclothes.aspx http://www.nurtureplace.com/baby-clothes/start.cgi/preemie-clothes/micropreemie.html?nps=,s,ns http://www.jacquispreemiepride.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc http://www.preemiesrus.com/catalog/index.php http://www.ittybittybundles.com/items/micro-preemie~1-3-lb-/list.htm http://www.preemieproud.com/ http://www.avababys.com/servlet/StoreFront http://www.littlesproutcollection.com/collections.asp ETC. Formula www.neosureoffer.com Provides coupons for Similac NeoSure (formula for preemies) www.bulkforcheap.com www.800diapers.com NeoSure sold at Wal-Mart, Babies R Us and CVS Preemie Diapers Pamper Swaddler in preemie size sold at Babies R Us
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