Baby born at 29+6

[GiGiraffe]

Posting on behalf of my brother and his wife who have just had a boy at 29+6 due to pre-eclampsia. Can anyone give me the run down of what they need? My brother's been told to buy nappies, is there special premature ones? Any advice to help them get their heads around this - all very unexpected!

[Andbabymakesthree]

Gosh what a shock.

Possibly bodysuits like these. However check with NICU.

direct.asda.com/george/baby-bodysuits/3-pack-premature-baby-bodysuits/GEM296467,default,pd.html

Yes you can get prem nappies but a friend found the needed to order them in. I'd do a Amazon prime free trial to get them quick or ring local mothercare and ask if they have them.

Does mum need pads etc?

Family will need support with meals and if you can help out with the transport it really helps.

[ScarletSienna]

The hospital we were at provided everything for a short while so we didn't feel rushed. You can get premmie nappies but beyond that they won't need much for a while. All we bought for the first couple of weeks were nappies, a few cellular blankets and cotton wool for nappy changes.
Things I found helpful/lovely-
-anyone who brought food-it's easy to go without for hours
-cut up muslin cloths-a bit in with the baby and a bit against my skin then swap so we got each others' smell
-a photo of the baby that someone printed out when I text it to them

[GiGiraffe]

Thank you so much - this is very helpful. Family will rally round and sort food and lifts etc, SIL is very poorly with her bloody pressure, so not sure how long she'll be in the hospital for.

All a bit mind blowing and very different to the experiences I have had with my DDs so just want to get a bit prepared and help them get through the next few weeks

I have Amazon prime so will get onto that

[CatsCantFlyFast]

Likely to not be in clothes for a while and the hospital will have things until they get sorted, including nappies. Water wipes and premature nappies will be helpful though. As perhaps will be help organising a hospital grade breastpump if she wants to breastfeed. Transport too and from hospital, help with pets/other kids/meals/clean clothes. Phone chargers/battery boosters and a camera
Hope all works out fine x

[idontlikealdi]

Some hospitals will provide nappies some don't. Pampers do a micro size that you get in all the shops if needed. We also had to bring in cotton wool for cleaning bottoms.

DTs were 31 weekers, they didn't wear clothes for quite a while as they like to be able to access all the probes and also see the colour of their skin. Mamas and papas did the trendiest tiny baby clothes we could find when we they did need them, they are pricey though.

Decent hand cream for them is a must - all the hand washing and alcohol gel really dries out your hands.

Congratulations on being an aunty! I hope the little one does well and gets home as soon as possible.

[hedwig2001]

Boots often have micro size pampers. Also get cotton wool balls. Most NICUs only clean preterm babies with water rather than wipes.

[pugsake]

I had a thirty weeker. The neonatal unit provided all the nappies.

They can't really wear proper clothes at that little. The link the pp mentioned has vests and sleepsuits that can fit around all the wires.

He will have a lot of wires to start off with do I hope it's not too much of a shock. It's horrible when they are so tiny. I'll see if I can find a photo to give you a rough idea.

And congratulations

[pugsake]

There you go. This was 3 years ago so don't know if they have advanced anything.

She had a splint on her arm and wires on her chest. They were also connected to a machine that measured heart rate and pulse.

He will have a feeding tube in his nose as well. It's incredibly daunting at first but the wires and tubes slowly decrease.

DD was 30+6 and in 6 weeks that included getting neonatal flu and getting re-incubated for a week. Hopefully your DB and SIL will have a smooth stay.

[idontlikealdi]

I did not mean trendiest clothes fgs, I meant tiniest. Couldn't have cared less what they bloody were and trendy was way down the list!!

[pugsake]

Trendiest

I don't know the little woolly hats the staff put on the babies are quite trendy.

Op be prepared for him to be furry. DD had little hairy shoulders like a monkey. Apparently full termers lose it in the womb.

This thread is bringing back memories and making me all nostalgic.

[GiGiraffe]

Thank you all you lovely people! We are still all a bit just spoke to DB and he is on his way back up to the hospital. Baby is tiny, 2.4lbs but he is ok for the minute. SIL is doing much better now so fingers crossed everyone will be ok
Pugssake thanks for the picture, it is reassuring to know that it is normal
Off to school run and tiny baby shopping

[pugsake]

2.4lb is tiny bless him.

Honestly they are such little fighters. I bet he amazes you.

I won't lie it's one of the hardest things I've ever gone through but I look at DD now and I couldn't be prouder of how far she's come.

[ScarletSienna]

I'd forgotten the furriness! A little bit of fur but no eyelashes as they develop late in pregnancy.
I also would have liked some lip balm. The NNU was understandably pretty warm and my skin and lips were dry.