When did you put your prem baby in their own room?

[Millymolliemandy]

Hello, could do with a bit of advice from mums who are familiar with all the extra worry that comes with having a baby who was prem.

My DD is just over 7 months corrected and I think we have got to the point where we are all disturbing each other. However I love having her close and do check on her a fair few times per night. She is also still waking and feeding realtively frequently.

What did you do?

Thanks!

We waited until 6 months corrected (he was 7 wks prem) when we moved him into his own room. He still wakes 1-2 times a night at nearly 10 months actual but it's right next door to our bedroom so not a big deal before that it was 3-5 times. I think it was the best move made, honestly. He also settles really well in his room for naps now, he just knows, it's sleepytime. I, too, felt we were disturbing each other and we all sleep better. Plus, me and OH got our bedroom back. :-)

We moved DD when she was six months adjusted.
It didn't make any difference to her sleep, she still woke just as often in the night. But we liked being able to read in bed, use the ensuite bathroom etc.

I wasn't comfortable moving her before the six months corrected mark, but once we had reached that milestone it just felt right to move her out.

Lots of parents, regardless of the prematurity of their babies, choose to have babies in with them for longer. I think you've done what you needed to do re sids guidance etc, so now you just do whatever you feel comfortable with.

Same here, mine were 12 weeks prem so we waiting until they were 9 months, so 6 months corrected.

Thanks. Whilst I know it is a good idea, I panic at the thought of not being able to check her at any time. Given our 2 hourly night wakings at the moment, something has to give! I am a total zombie.

Hi It is normal to panic. DS was 7 months and got a new bed (was in a crib then went to cotbed which he looked lost in) - would have been six but we were abroad seeing gps.

Millie molly Mandy I was just about to post about our 2 hourly feeds at night and ask if any other prem babies were doing the same! You have answered my question I am not alone! Little lady is 5 months corrected (8 months actual) and we still feed every 2 hours at night (she has been sleeping with me for 2 months now as its much easier) I was wondering if I was making excuses for her due to her tiny size (660g at birth and 5.2kg now at 5months corrected). The dietician said I can start to stretch out feeds as she is no longer fragil but that's the last thing I feel like doing in the middle of the night. Far easier to feed. I can't say what will work but you are not alone!

Ps I will be watching this thread with interest cos I'm keen to know when to move my LO but The way i see it is that we have to work on stretching out the feeds first or else there is no point moving her to another room. Not sure how we'll to that either! A bit lost and muddling along really but I get great comfort from our jumps up the growth chart end so I suppose I see the 2 hourly feeds as a necessary evil by maybe I'm wrong. Would love to know what other tiny IUGR prems are doing

Hi clabsyqueen, how lovely to hear how you are getting on, maybe we should start a small (is beautiful) baby thread. I know exactly what you mean about the frequent feedings, I think everyone I know thinks I am totally mad to be 'indulging' my DD with on demand all day and night feeds, and although she is going great guns with her weight, I have a hangover from earlier days and feel like she is catching up still, both with food and love. Hence the on and off co-sleeping too! She is coming up 8 months corrected (Where DID the time go!) and so just over 10 actual, and is hovering between the 9th and 25th centiles. She was 923g at 31 weeks. I am insanely proud of her weight, and keep finding myself making up reasons to get out the red book and look at her progress! Is your LO reaching her milestones on (corrected) time?

I meant to add she is now 6.75kgs. 5.2kgs sounds great for 5 months corrected. Have you started weaning?

Back on the original subject, she is sleeping a little better, maybe only feeding every 3 - 4 hours at night BUT she is still in our room!

Wow! That is great going on the growth charts. I love a little jump up the page more than anything - i even hold off with weigh ins so that it's more exciting when I do go! I don't think you're mad for demand feeding day and night - It HAS to be a natural response to having a small baby. I too am still demand feeding whenever the little lady wants. I don't think I would be comfortable with anything else at the moment. I am led to believe that catch up growth happens most rapidly in the first year so another good reason to keep going. Small certainly is beautiful but slightly less small is always nice too!

To answer your question about milestones - yes! We are doing very well according to corrected age. All on time (if there is such a thing!). And the plan is for the lady to stay in our room til she is 15months actual and 1 year corrected as we love our flat and don't want to move yet but it us only one bed. We might regret that decision but it has been made!

I moved out into my own bedroom at 14 months corrected. I meant to move out far earlier but with one thing and another and a sleuth of illnesses, I found it really comforting to know she was right by me. Bit wussy I know but I think unless you disturb each other (we both sleep like logs) you have to be ready and if you're still night feeding no rush.

And yes - weaning is in full swing. 3 - 4 meals a day! Plus desserts! She just loves her food. Only just starting on finger foods as she is only just getting the hang of chewing and holding food to her mouth. Hard work to wean a baby 3 months developmentally behind their stomach but it's getting easier as she gets stronger.

I agree amymouse - making night feeding easier is a priority.