Skylar Summer Faith King 29+4w

[Foxybabyhg3]

Sorry-long name! We added the Summer as she was born on the solstice and seemed apt.

Born at 1pm 21/06/13 weighing 2lb 1oz.

I can't believe how tiny she is.

I've been reading up on what to expect in NICU but it doesn't really prepare you does it? My heart was breaking listening to her cry and not being able to pick her up. I feel physical pain in my chest.

I guess all I keep looking for is reassurance, that its normal for her at this gestation not to be able to stomach milk, or to have apnea, just to know that it's not forever and she will come home one day.

 

[Cheska]

Congratulations on the arrival of your baby girl skylar. She is in the best place and will get a little bit stronger all the time. Crying sounds good, she must have a strong little pair of lungs. You'll be able to pick her up soon enough. Keep strong, it's so tough when your hormones and emotions are all over the place. Sending lots of positive vibes.

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

I don't know how people cope. I'm only on day 4 and I feel like falling to pieces. I think we have our 1st set back. She hasn't had a poo, once she does they'll start feeding her my milk. I feel like I'm pumping for nothing as she's not getting it. I just hope it's because she's prem and not anything serious. But then in my head I'm thinking how can she poo if she's not eaten?

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Don't ever think you're pumping for nothing - she'll soon be getting through your milk. In the meantime they'll be giving her the right fluids to keep her hydrated and to help regulate her sugars etc. I'm sure your little one will be pooing soon, and then it will be the start of LOTS of dirty nappies.

Are you managing to get any rest?

Laura x

 

[Srrme]

Congratulations!

You're definitely pumping for a good reason! Soon enough she will be eating so much, you'll be glad you have a stock in the NICU (or home) freezer! She'll be receiving your milk in no time, and you'll be amazed at how quickly they increase the amount, so keep at it Mama.

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Thanks. She did the teensiest of poo's and they've started her back on 0.5ml every 2hrs, so starting very small and taking it slow. I think she's showing hunger signs though. She's pulling the nasal prongs into her mouth and trying to eat my hand when I put it in the incubator and crying when she can't. So she has a teeny dummy to help with the sucking reflex. Still pumping and just ordered an electric pump for home as I'll be going home tomorrow. Don't know how I'll cope leaving her. I managed to leave at 10pm last night till 7am today to get a good sleep.

 

[Sam182]

Do your hospital not loan out electric pumps? May be worth asking to save money. Keep going with the expressing. Its hard work but there will come a point where she's needing lots more milk. Nighttime expressing is so important too. NICU is a rollercoaster ride but you will get there even though it doesn't feel like it now. Try not to expect her home before her due date. Hope it goes smoothly for you x

 

[rbourre]

Definitely keep pumping and freeze. I had 200 ounces in my freezer when my little girl came home and she drank it all when my supply started to run out around 4 months.

My daughter was born at 29+5 weighing 2lbs 2oz last September. She's still tiny for her age (around 15 pounds) but she's doing great. Feel free to message me if you want to talk/vent. We could talk on Facebook if you'd like too. It helped me a lot to talk to other moms of preemies. There are some preemie pages on Facebook that are awesome to talk to other moms.

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Thanks. She had another set back over night, she'd been sick with a touch of bile so they've stopped it again :'(

Rbourre, sounds almost identical to my lg. how long was it before she was getting milk regularly?

The hospital have loaned me a pump to take home with me which is a relief.

 

[sunnylove]

Hey Foxy, my little man was just born June 14th at 26+3, so I know what you're going through! You never know what to expect with NICU babies. But hang in there. I got to hold my guy 5 days after his birth and we are very blessed he's done so well these past 2 weeks! What kind of breathing machine is your little girl on right now?

 

[rbourre]

Rbourre, sounds almost identical to my lg. how long was it before she was getting milk regularly?

I think it was close to a week. She was getting 1ml every 3 hours. They upped it every day and when she was transferred to my local hospital (after 21 days in nicu) to be in the special care nursery she was up to 17ml every 2 hours and came home at 62ml every 3 hours.

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Hey Foxy, my little man was just born June 14th at 26+3, so I know what you're going through! You never know what to expect with NICU babies. But hang in there. I got to hold my guy 5 days after his birth and we are very blessed he's done so well these past 2 weeks! What kind of breathing machine is your little girl on right now?

How are you coping with it? Are you doing ok? Last night was the 1st night at home and I had to virtually sit on my hands so I didn't jump in the car and drive to hospital at 1am. Luckily I'm only 2 miles away. I'm unsure of the breathing equipment, it's all a bit head spinning to me, but she's on 20% (3ltrs) air into prongs up her nose, for the apnea but not oxygen which has baffled me. But they say she's doing well so far and they're taking it down 1/2 a ltr at a time. Hopefully it's not too much too soon.

How's your lb?

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Rbourre, sounds almost identical to my lg. how long was it before she was getting milk regularly?

I think it was close to a week. She was getting 1ml every 3 hours. They upped it every day and when she was transferred to my local hospital (after 21 days in nicu) to be in the special care nursery she was up to 17ml every 2 hours and came home at 62ml every 3 hours.

Thanks. They set her off at 1ml an hr but she was sick so they let her tummy rest and then they put her back on at 0.5 every 2hrs, then upped to 1ml every 2hrs but they had to put it back down again. I'll see what today brings

 

[Mumof42009]

Congrats, it does get easier but you will have ups and down days. It's important to look after yourself as well and not let yourself get run down. I've had 4 prem's so if you need anything just drop me a message and will try and help. x

 

[Cheska]

Just echoing what the others have said your not pumping for no reason and yes freeze it. It will take the stress off a few days/ weeks down the line when you can't believe how much she's having!!

Your picture is lovely.

 

[vermeil]

first congratulations!

well it sounds like she`s on cpap which is VERY good already, and only 20%? It took my son weeks just to get to cpap, and at 70% at first. Yes the pumping is very tedious and hard (I had named my breastpump the TYRANT) but it`s sooo worth it long term. Statistically babies on breastmilk have shorter hospital stays and fewer infections.

Also ask for kangaroo care (holding her) as often as possible, that also has a big positive impact on preemie babies. Sometimes you have to ask, they might say no if the nurses are too busy or have emergencies and it is a lot of work for them to set up. But sooo worth it just for the cuddle time alone. When I finally started holding my son after 20+ days his oxygen requirement dropped from 60% to 35% within a week, which was a HUGE drop for him.

it does get easier! You`ll have lots of setbacks and maybe even a few scares but keep telling yourself your little one is in the best place possible *hugs*

 

[sunnylove]

How are you coping with it? Are you doing ok? Last night was the 1st night at home and I had to virtually sit on my hands so I didn't jump in the car and drive to hospital at 1am. Luckily I'm only 2 miles away. I'm unsure of the breathing equipment, it's all a bit head spinning to me, but she's on 20% (3ltrs) air into prongs up her nose, for the apnea but not oxygen which has baffled me. But they say she's doing well so far and they're taking it down 1/2 a ltr at a time. Hopefully it's not too much too soon.

How's your lb?

Yeah, we're all doing well and coping well. I have my bad days when he has his though. We are very blessed he's done so well. He's had some stomach issues but is on 15mls of milk and he's up to 2lbs 9ozs! He is 29 weeks gestation today. His breathing improvements are very slow moving. He's on the nasal cannula (he was on high flow oxygen his first week but got too tired and had to switch) and he's anywhere from 21% to 30%, but lately he's been hanging around 30% which is kind of discouraging.