Looking for guidance- caring for a micro-preemie

[MightyMoosh]

Thats the term mum used, she is around 8m now corrected age 4m. she was very alert at the interview, she has oxygen and a shunt for encefalitus (sp). If anyone can offer anything, hints tips experience. I will be her sole-charge nanny from end jan, as well as older child at school so not around during day.

Hi, mine was born at 29 weeks so not a micro - preemie - he also came home free from oxygen and any other medical bits so I'm not really the best person to ask. However I would say that you would need to find out what if any therapy she is having and make sure that you do that with her. It may just be positioning at this stage, but there will probably be other stuff. I found that my son got very tired and while it was important that he was stimulated it had to be very gentle, this continued for quite a while, past one year adjusted age. Also if she is on Oxygen there may be issues with contact with other children especially during winter. Not sure if that's much help. I'm sure someone more knowledegable will be around shortly!

thanks- all help appreciated! Im having a 1 week handover so will have all medical notes and will meet nursing/caring team. Contact with others a big issue- she has an isolation room when going for jabs etc, and cant socialize at all. It was one of the emphasized points at the interviews, that going out and meeting others at playgroup/park etc wont happen for a while.

boomp

congratulations on the job,
ds2 was born at 28wks so not so small & was off o2 the day before he came home but there are all the practicalities of carrying a baby & trailing tubes & wires you do get used to.
Obviously all babies are different but ds2 had feeding difficulties it would take over an hour for him to take a very small bottle & totally exhaust him & his oxygen levels would drop so you need to get to know the baby & know the signs (other than monitoring equipment).
Also you'll need to know what to look out for regarding the shunt ds2's little friend has a shunt & he can become unwell very quickly if his shunt is failing.
As hairymaclary said my ds2 also tired easily & needed gentle stimulation & became upset if pulled about too much.
Physio's etc will advise re positioning depends on the babies specific difficulties, ds2 had no head control & very low muscle tone so needed neck support.
I hope you enjoy your new job.

Thanks for your input mmm, and a tiny bump too!