Very prem baby. What can we do?

[KatieBenz]

Hello, my grandchild was born yesterday at only 26 weeks gestation. Baby, mum and dad doing ok. Baby, ventilated and in NICU. Obviously, we can’t visit properly because of covid restrictions, but I just wanted to ask “what can do to help”? Prem mummies, what helped you the most during those first few weeks?

With regards to contacting them, on good days I wanted to talk and send pictures and show baby off, but on days with bad news, or nothing to tell it was hard to chat/message people.
I'd advise asking what help they need with setting up their house ready for their arrival home (granted, it may be a few weeks yet but it'll fly by). With him being born so early they probably thought they had plenty of time to prep the house (if they're anything like me!). I needed my parents to set up the cot, pick up some bits from shops, taking baby clothes deliveries of online shopping I'd done and get them washed ready to bring to hospital. Also doing my washing and cooking meals for my husband when he wasn't at hospital with me. They also gave the house a good clean and stocked up the freezer. Our hospital is 2 hours from home so I didn't go home at all for 4 weeks, and was unable to do it myself, but their situation may be different.
Bear in mind that baby probably won't be staying clothes for a while until they're out of the incubator. Mine was born 3pbs 3oz and I was given some prem baby clothes for babies up to 4lbs, but she didn't wear clothes until she was 4lbs 7oz so they weren't worn.

Mine did wear the 'up to 4lb' stuff briefly, but up to 5lb is probably safer.

I liked getting clothes because it made me feel that people had faith in my baby doing well, but everyone is different. Maybe wait until baby actually moves out the incubator before giving them.

Morning. Thank you for all of the suggestions and tips. I heard from my son earlier and once the doctors have done their rounds, he’s going to ring me and give me a list of things they need. Baby is doing well, but I think the reality has hit home for my son and dil. Early days, but positive so far 🤞 xx

Great that things are looking good so far. I think the thing to remember is that there will be ups and downs with a baby this prem. It was a shock to me that they could be so good one day, then have a bad day, and then it be like nothing happened the next day again. Xx