Any Mums recently home with a prem?

[FraggleRock77]

We are into our fourth day now and it's tough but so worth it. How are other people coping? Have you managed to keep all the visitors away? Xx

I did question how early it was but she was very keen for me to attend. I'm planning on stopping away, if she's that keen on him being weighed she will eventually appear at my door again!
First jabs tomorrow and yes DS is having all available. I've already called the GP surgery who have found me a side room to sit it.
Can i ask, have your LO's stopped being so noisy yet? I'm currently sat listening to what sounds like a hamster being murdered as my DS opens his bowels!!!
My first evening on my own last night! I was very nervous and equally a little jealous that my DH went out. I'm pleased to say we coped xx

Oh Plenty, your MIL sounds like a real treat to know!!! How is your scar now? And it's ok to rant. Better out than in xxx

Mines still noisy wakes himself up farting! Then we get all the grunts and goat sounds. But I like the noises it's when he goes quite when he's asleep I worry.

Its like sleeping next to a farting kitten!
Fraggle hope the jabs go ok, dd had them yesterday and has been fine. I gave her some capol last night as her legs have bruised. I decided to have the oral vac for tummy bugs as ds suffered from these alot so its worth them having. Glad you managed with dh going back to work

Plenty, the jabs went fine and our DS has also been given calpol too.
Also gained another 120g so 5lbs now!
The NICU outreach team have been amazing and were talking today about prems weening earlier than term babies and that we should not miss the window. Have others been told the same?

Fab weight gain Fraggle!

Thats a great weight I think the guide is still 6 months (actual) but check the bliss website and they have great weaning guides for prems.
ds was weaned slightly earlier as he went crazy for a couple of days for more milk which was unheard of so the time was right. I made all his food and froze it so I could add extra cals in it. He eats alot of fruit and veg now along with fish so it helped I think. I never restricted treats though as he needed the fat. Loved the stage where he would only eat skip crisps....

Skips! What a food flashback. I could just eat some salt and vinegar chip sticks!!! X
Will check the Bliss website though x

Plenty, has you has two prem babies if you don't mind me asking? X

chip sticks were in the house yesterday, but didn't last long Consultant always had me as low risk but started bleeding heavily with ds at 30 weeks which then just stopped. They couldn't find the cause then waters went a couple of weeks later. This time seen as low risk again and got refused a cervix length scan. Had slight bleeding at 26 weeks and cervix had shortened with funnelling, very close to going into labour so put on hormone treatment and bed rest. It worked til 33 weeks. Either I have a rubbish cervix or uterus but not having anymore babies so not looking into it. Very stressful pregnancy but just thankful dd is ok.
I had time to prepare unlike with ds and was happy to get to 33 weeks. How bout you? Hope ds has had an ok night after jabs.

Plenty, it sounds like you had two very difficult pregnancies. It always amazes me that the NHS limits further investigation into prem births.
Me: first baby, early spotting, major bleed at 14 Wks, admitted and told baby lost, 18 hrs later and with a scan, baby fine. Under consultant led care and no obvious reason.

Seeing consultant again to get the placenta results and i have a scan next wk as a research fellow on the unit wants to scan prem mums, which helps me. Trying again in six months so would be helpful to know of there is a reason xxx

Oh and DS fine after having jabs thank you x

Sounds like the NHS need to buck up thier ideas on aftercare.

The hospital were Artie was and Apollo is set up Artie's follow up aftercare appointments before we left and they've made them so they're after the RSV season after I refused to attend any that put her more at risk. I've only had 1 HV visit since being home. She's had her first jabs and due for her 2nd lot next week along with her pulmonologist appointment and hopeful he'll sign her off.

Hope all your LOs are well today xxx

MMama, your NICU team sounds as good as ours was and still is at home.
Question? Me and our DH are doing feeding shifts so we both get some rest over night. We now don't really see each other though as i go to bed at 20:00 DS isn't even term yet and the (query three months) until a possible reduction in night feeds seems a long way off. Any other ideas? Should we just suck it up?!? X

Fraggle, have you tried dreamfeeds? The twins were nutorious for waking up every 2 hours and only due to dreamfeeda we manage to get them to sleep 4 hours a time most nights. We've started to do them with Artie she's a pretty good sleeper but I dreamfeed her about half hour before she's due to feed at 12am-ish and she sleeps til around 3am. It may work for you. Other than that I have no idea so I'm open to any advice too! :)

Our unit is pretty great but you gotta put your foot down at some point and speak up or they'd be happy to carry on doing what they think is best for my child.

Ladies, I have a question too. Artie despises tummy time. She goes into a full rage then gets hiccups. I've tried mats, boppy pillow even had her on ny shins like superwoman but nothing works. Any tips??

MMama, can i ask how old Artie is now? Our DS is nearly 9 Wks. I had read up about dream feeding before i went into labour early. I hadn't even thought about it with a prem. DS won't be term until NY's eve. Do you change/wind Artie before and after? X

Dd is feeding every three hours during the day then 4/5 hours from 10. not all the time as it was every 3 last night! Trying a routine as I have ds so need to sleep and do school run. Although she is 9 weeks she is only a newborn really. Dreamfeds are good to try.
mamma my local surestart do a tummy time course which we are going on in the new year might be worth a call?

Also how much do your little ones sleep?

Every 3hrs during the day and much the same overnight. We are to start putting our DS back in the bedroom from 8pm so he knows it's bed time. DS is not term yet so not expecting any improvement for some time x

Did anyone feel isolated on getting home. I feel like i can't go out to see friends as they all have children under 5 alongside the infection/time of year risks. Text and phone calls help. I seem to hear about the outside world from my DH! I'm going to meet a friend for coffee tomorrow so i hope that helps?!

Definately with ds. I felt very isolated and the time of year does not help either. This time now she is past her due date we have had to go out because of ds.
I have been out for a couple of meals with friends while she has been with dh. Do not feel guilty, it will keep you sane!

Artie will be 11 weeks on Tuesday (2 weeks adjusted). I don't really think of her as a preemie when it comes to feeding, I just go by what I think benefit her so I dreamfeed her to help her weight and so it doesn't disturb her sleep. If she's dirty I change her before but otherwise I don't disturb her until afterwards. As for winding, I don't wind them unless they have bottles as even though she sleeps she controls her own feeding flow unlike a bottle. I only wind her (by rubbing her tummy) if she gets hiccups after feeding.

Around 2/3 hours during day. She goes down at 5.30pm, feeds at 8, dreamfed at 11ish, wakes around 2ish and then wakes around half 4ish. She's a real deep sleeper!

I've had to go out with her to visit Apollo but my socialising dropped until recently. Having 5 under 5 at home is chaos for outings but with stroller and carriers I manage! Helps that DH is home on leave until Jan so we can take both double strollers if needed!

Nightmare! Our little boy is such a fussy feeder! On/off/on/off then bottle as he's too tired or frantic. I feel like i don't even know his signs/signals any more at times!