Do premature babies like slings?????

[brightpurplecow]

I know this may seem an odd question, but in your experience do premature babies like being in slings. I had always intended carrying no 2 in a sling as my first is 21 months and hands free seemed pretty important. However it has occured to me that having had the freedom of a cot whilst in NICU (my little one likes to lie flat on his back arms and legs splayed!!!).

Any thoughts?

Also can anyone recommend any toys for prem babies (mine was born at 29 weeks?)

Thanks

Katharine

Mine (around 5 and a half pounds when we took him home) went in a sling from birth and loved it. The sling did say from 7lb but he was in a massive snowsuit as well which padded it out! I think you should give it a go.

My ds hated his sling with a passion, not so bad when he was big enough to forward face but by that stage he was too heavy as I have a bad neck. I think it really does depend on the baby.

I think they like being close to your heart so may make them feel more comfortable and happy.

Also have you thought about a Amby Hammock? Some NICUs use them and prem babies love them I have heard.

i used a wrap sling and she loved it. she could curl up close and had room to wriggle if she needed it. i was using it from 4 months (about 7lb) till she was 2 and tried to climb out a few times.

27 week dd loved her wilkinet- it's an upright sling made of soft fabric and they are against your chest so snuggly warm and next to your heartbeat. They fit well from 5lb too. There's a design called a Huggabub which I liked the look of but din't try.

I would not use a BabyBjorn or similar design as the pouch is usually too big to hold a very small baby comfortably.

I used a Hug-a-bub from when my LO came home weighing just under 4lb. It was recommended for prem babies by my NICU and is apparently ok from any weight. Heidi was tiny in it and people often didn't realise I even had a baby in it but she slept so well and was so happy. Its a soft stretchy wrap so holds them really snug. She also has severe silent reflux and so couldn't be laid flat so she loved it and I wore her for the most of the first 4 months she was home I think! Like you, I had a toddler so it was a life saver. I would definitely recommend a sling but would definitely choose one that is weight appropriate (think a stretchy wrap or woven wrap would be best).

I also used a Hug-A-Bub with my ex 30-weeker DS from when he came home (weighing 5lb)- he loved it. I also used on DD who came home weighing 5lb 2oz and it was a very handy then as I had a two yr old DS to run about after and like you said 2 hands are needed!

I think Baby Bjorn type slings / front carriers are only suitable once babies are over 7lb, but wrap type slings can be used for littlies and are often advocated for prems. Both mine actually slept and settled better once in a sling.

Both my prems liked the usual newborn toys- black & white toys or books, toys with mirrors and bold patterns, and as they got a wee bit older toys with lots of interesting textures (e.g. soft crinkly books).

Hope your LO is doing well xxx

I would say no to a Baby Bjorn type carrier, but wrap slings like a Moby or Kari Me or a Close (which is slightly easier to use at first) would be perfect I would imagine, as they are able to be in a lovely cradled position. Ds still loves being in a wrap sling at 6 months and his weight feels like nothing even at 20 pounds.

i'm with lizzytee- my DD(born at 30 weeks, home at 37 weeks) lived in her wilkynet when we brought her home. loved it and it always soothed her. very soft as lizzy says and no issue with size however teeny your baby.

We have our LO home from the hospital - we have a wilkinet and I was wondering what size it was safe for him to go out in it?

Mine did but you have to be careful as some slings just swamp them when theyre tiny.

bobo I haven't used a wilkinet but as long as his head is supported OK and he's not sinking down inside it he should be OK.

Stretchy wrap slings (moby, etc) are ideal for all tiny babies, especially in an upright tummy-to-tummy position. DS2 practically lived in his when he came home.

The only type of sling I'd definitely avoid is a bag-type sling though, there's some research to show they can cause respiratory distress that a premie might be particularly prone too - see here:
babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/

kangaroo care and breastfeeding in a wrap Stretchy wraps are excellent for premature babies and newborns.

Would anyone like two carrier bags-worth of girl's prem baby clothes? (mostly "early baby" 5lb-7.5lb) - assorted baby grows, vests etc? All good as new - seems a shame to just throw out. We could work out postage only cost or collect if in SE London area.

Katie: you could donate them to a woman's refuge through your hv possibly or to an scbu unit?

just a thought.

We took ours back to our SCBU and asked them to be passed on to another set of female twins (another SCBU/twin mum had done the same for us - it was a big help and really lovely)

I think it depends on the baby . But in general, I had a friend who had two premature babies. And she used Pitari sling, because I gave it to her. She said she liked it and the babies really liked them also.
It's soft, has a belt and LO is very close to you. That's always a bonus :)

If you google kangaroo care, there is lots of info on how developing countries and others now it's been proved so successful use slings to keep prem babies warm etc.