Moms of preemies or small babies

[littlebear]

Thought I would see if there was any interest in a thread over here. There are two threads on the WC so I thought maybe we could get something going here to talk about development issues, success stories, support, vents about strangers commenting on your child's size. So post away if you've got a small baby or a preemie. (Note: Preemies don't have to be small and small babies don't have to be preemies to join.) I can keep stats in this thread if you want.

Mom: Littlebear
Child's name: Zach
Born ~4-5 weeks premature (not quite sure since my date differed from OB's date)
4.5 lbs, 17"

-He's been in the 5th percentile for height and weight for a few months now so we are making progress with getting all of the charts. He seems to be hitting all of his milestones so far as well.

Mom: Littlebear
Child's name: Zach
Born: 11/12~4-5 weeks premature (not quite sure since my date differed from OB's date)
Stats: 4.5 lbs, 17"

Mom: EmilyBronte
Child's name: JFK
Born: 1/5-8 weeks premature
Stats: 5 lbs 2oz, 18.5"

Mom: LilMarty
Child's name: Nolan
Born: 3/8-5 weeks early
Stats: 6 lbs, 19"

Mom: ButterflyJen
Child's Name: Anna Robyn
Born: 8/14/04, 2 weeks early (IUGR)
Stats: 5 lb 3 oz, 17-1/2"

Mom: alienhost
Child's name: Katherine
Born: 4/27/05 4.5 weeks premature
Stats: 5 lbs 4oz, 19"

Mom: Ferris
Child's name: Douglas
Born: 5/21/05 3 weeks premature
Stats: 5 lbs 5oz, 18"

Mom: Jeggink
Child's Name: Joseph
Born: 9/23/04, 5 weeks early
Stats: 5 lbs 6 oz, 19"

Mom: lorbo
Child's Name: James Westley
Born: 1/18/05, 7 1/2 weeks early-Rh disease, Congestive heart failure, edema
Stats: 4lb 11oz, 18 inches long

[EmilyBronte]

I'll join! My son JFK was born 8 weeks premature on 1/5/05. He weighed 5lbs 2 oz and was 18 1/4 inches. He spend 10 days in the NICU and is doing very well! He has an official 6-month checkup next week, but from our best measurements he is somewhere around 15.5lbs now.

Vent about size: I get so mad when people make comments like "He was 5lbs when born??? THAT's not a preemie!" Um, excuse me, but he was 2 months early and he spend 10 days in the NICU, half of the time on a feeding tube. He is definitely a preemie!

[littlebear]

Oh, he's a cutie! Such great big gorgeous eyes. Sounds like he's doing really well with his weight gain.

:rolleyes: at the stupid comments that people make. Apparently, they don't understand that premature refers to date of birth and has nothing to do with the weight.

Zach spent some time on the feeding tube too because he wouldn't suck. That was the worst part for me. It's hard for me to believe that 7 months ago I would sit and pray that he would finish a 2 oz bottle, and now he drinks 8 oz bottles in 15-20 minutes.

[LilMarty]

I'll join too!

Nolan was born 5 weeks early on March 8th. He weighed 6lbs and was 19". He spent about 3 weeks in the NICU was on the feeding tube most of the time also since he wouldn't suck.

He is doing great now and weighs over 14lbs. :) The hospital he was in recommends that preemies attend a developmental clinic every 3 months for the first year. We just went for the first time this week and Nolan did great! He seems to be right on target. I am so happy that everything is going great so far.

Yeah, I get the comments about his weight also... I have an aunt that always likes to bring up, "Can you imagine how big he would have been if he had been full term?" :rolleyes: It drives me crazy!

[ButterflyJen]

Oh yay! I'm glad someone started this over here.
Mom: ButterflyJen
Child's Name: Anna Robyn
Born: 8/14/04, 2 weeks early (IUGR)
Stats: 5 lb 3 oz, 17-1/2"

Now at 10-1/2 months, Anna's barely 17lbs. Still wearing 6-9 month clothing. At least she doesn't grow out of her clothes so fast she doesn't get to wear them! ;) She's hitting milestones just fine - just started crawling last week, actually, and had her pincer grasp down about two months ago.

[alienhost]

My DD was born a month early (at 35 wks, 4 days) due to mom having preeclampsia. Fortunately she only spent about 10 hours in the NICU since her temperature was low. She was jaundiced and spent 24 hours under the lights on day 5. She was discharged from the hospital on day 6. Her discharge weight was 4lbs 15 ozs.

At her one month appointment she was up to 7 lbs and at her two month she is up to 9 lbs 6oz. Dr and mom and dad are thrilled with her weight gain.

What books/resources is everyone using for guidelines on milestones?


Mom: alienhost
Child's name: Katherine
Born: 4/27/05 4.5 weeks premature
Stats: 5 lbs 4oz, 19"

[Ferris]

Mom: Ferris
Child's name: Douglas
Born: 5/21/05 3 weeks premature
Stats: 5 lbs 5oz, 18"


DS didn't have to spend anytime at the hopsital! We actually got to go home 24 hours after his birth!

At his 2 week appointment he weighed in at 5 lbs 14 oz and wasn't even on the chart for percentile. :( At 5 weeks he weighed 8 lbs 2 ounces (with his diaper on). So he is feeding quiet well!!

Everywhere we go we get comments on how small he is and people say "look at the couple day old baby". We had that all day yesterday when we were in Seattle. I got tired of telling people he was 6 weeks old!!

[littlebear]

Getting to wear the clothes for a lot longer is definitely a plus for the small babies. My mom kept preaching to me about not buying too many 0-3 month outfits because the baby will outgrow them so quickly. Good thing that I didn't listen to her this time...Zach could still wear his 0-3 month things up until 5 months old. I'm so bored of his 3-6 month things that I've just started putting him in 6-9 month clothes even though they are big on him.



What books/resources is everyone using for guidelines on milestones?


I have What to Expect the First Year and The First Year Week by Week. I find What to Expect to be a little more realistic in terms of milestone timing. I also have a copy of the AAP book (can't remember the name right now) which I check from time to time. I think that babycenter.com will send you monthly e-mail updates with milestone info in them. At the beginning I would really freak myself out if he didn't do something exactly on time, but I've learned to relax a lot about it.

(I think I've got everyone's stats up to this point. Let me know if I messed anything up, and I'll correct it.)

[alienhost]

*bump*

How is everyone doing?

littlebear thanks for the book recommendations, I'll have to check those out.

clothing We are still in 0-3 month clothing, I'm really curious when she will move to 3-6. It's funny how different some of the brands are. I have a 0-3 Gymboree shortall that is still quite big on her but it says it goes to 12 lbs and she must be nearing 10lbs now. Her 0-3 Gap outfits still fit fine.

Some of the Gerber onesies that ar 0-3 are too small, I think her bunchy diaper isn't helping and they shrunk in the wash.

I do have to say that she outgrew her preemie outfits right around 7 lbs.

I'm always bargain shopping at Old Navy and Baby Gap and I'm having a hard time predicting later sizes for her.

Now that I think about it, regarding 6-12 month clothing 6 months seems like a huge range. I'm guessing she will be closer to 8-12 months before I can put her into those clothes?

[ButterflyJen]

alienhost - I have a hard time figuring out what size DD will wear next season. ;) It's just impossible to predict, isn't it! I have so many cute 12- and 18-month summer clothes that just are not going to fit her this year. Maybe next year - I hope not, I hope she grows faster than that - but definitely too big right now.

[jeggink]

I'll join :).

My DS was 5 weeks early. I had premature rupture of membranes at 34.5 weeks and delivered at 35 weeks after 2 steroid shots. He was 5 lbs 6oz, 19" when born. After the 1st day he started BF'ing fine and was discharged after 3 days (temp kept dropping), no NICU necessary. He was 4 lbs 15oz when he left the hospital.

He caught up pretty quickly weight and height wise. By 2 months he was 50% for a normal child for height and weight.

Now at 9 months he weighs almost 22 lbs and 29.25".

He is a little developmentally behind. it took him forever to learn how to roll over. As he went into the hospital for 2 weeks with meningitis 6 weeks ago, we ended up having some physical therapy to help him overcome the illness. That has helped a ton and now he is caught up to his age for the most part. He is crawling and pulling up and getting into a lot of trouble :).

Mom: Jeggink
Childs Name: Joseph
Born: 9/23/04, 5 weeks early
States: 5 lbs 6 oz, 19"

[littlebear]

Welcome jeggink ! I added your stats to the first post. Scary about the meningitis. I'm glad that he's home and doing better.

With regard to the clothes sizes, Zach is just now at 8 months starting to wear the 6-12 or 6-9 month things. He still wears mostly 3-6 month clothes. Gymboree and Gap stuff always seem huge. I find that stuff from Carters, Children's Place, or the Target lines seem to be a little smaller. I have some Gymboree overalls in 3-6 months from last winter that I think he'll still be able to wear this fall. I hate that most stuff is in 6-12 months. That's such a huge range. I have found some things in 6-9 and 9-12. Some of Gymboree's infant line and some Carters stuff is sized that way. I'm trying to stop buying too far in advance because I'm not sure if he's going to stay small or have a growth spurt. It's hard when the stores have good sales on stuff that I could use next season.

[lorbo]

guess i should join too
Mom: lorbo
Child's Name: James Westley
Born: 1/18/05, 7 1/2 weeks early-Rh disease, Congestive heart failure, edema
Stats: 4lb 11oz, 18 inches long


i'm reading along and have come to the conclusion that i have never been given a percentile that James is in :confused: maybe at his six month check up which will happen in about 3 weeks.

James' story...
i have known i was an rh sensitized person since the pregnancy with DD. DD was a negative baby, confirmed with amniocentesis-so after that confirmation, all the intensive monitoring was discontinued, but i had a monthly u/s until she was born. James...i got pregnant with him 3 weeks after i was diagnosed with a blighted ovum and a D&E. had an u/s to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, three days later i had a bleed. the perinatalogists monitored me very closely. they did not do an amnio this time, but they did watch with dopplers and u/s that looked for free fluid. around christmas, the dopplers started rising and the doctor and i had a conversation that pretty much said we were both pretty sure, he was a positive baby, and my body was trying to kill off his red blood cells. the doppler went really high right before new years and i was hospitalized that weekend with an in utero blood transfusion scheduled for 1/3-the day before my birthday. after a long long weekend in the hospital and the procedure done, everything looked good. a week and a half later, the doppler went up again. friday before his birth, everything was okay on u/s, monday on u/s as i was scanned my heart dropped when i saw the fluid around his heart and knew that something was going to happen. i was hospitalized, under dr's orders that another transfusion would happen in the morning, but then found out that James was more than likely going to be taken from me that night. my hospital's NICU was infected with RSV really bad, so my doc said i could deliver there, but "i would catch a sniff of him and he'd be gone to another NICU in the city." my doc conferred with the perinat. doc and neonat doc and decided to send me to another hospital with a NICU to take care of him. i was transferred by ambulance downtown and pretty much attacked by nurses, residents, neonat. docs and ob docs when i got there. the ob doc gave me the okay to try naturally laboring because i was already having contractions from all the stress and my blood pressure was the highest i've ever seen it. James heart rate dropped (i didn't see it drop below 120 and he was always around 130.) so they turned off the pitocin and badgered me in to a c/s(well, the resident did and i almost bit her head off). James was c/s at 1:24am on tuesday morning. i was told that he'd be rushed in to the warming room and then the neonat doctor would assess his condition. the butthead resident never told me that he was out, nor my husband, i figured it out when i heard him cry in the next room and started bawling. he was very anemic and pale, but the docs were impressed with his size. he was given a small amount of blood that morning, and then the docs decided to do an exchange transfusion to try to get rid of some of my antibodies. he was on cpap for awhile. he also didn't eat for what seemed like weeks-i think it may have been a week-he didn't do well with his initial feeds. i was warned about having to try a shield when i was given the okay to BF-the lactation consultant talked to me in the hospital. my hospital stay was okay with the exception of one nurse who i had to call for my drugs and towels for showering...i mentioned that i went to see my baby in the NICU and she said oh, i was wondering why you were visiting and pumping for a baby you were giving up! hello, she should've checked the chart!!!! he spent 3 1/2 weeks at that NICU and i had him moved back to the original hospital for the following week and a half(not because of care, but all the traveling was killing us). following discharge from the NICU, he was jaundiced for 3 weeks and started to get pale. he was admitted to CHOP for severe anemia and had a bunch of small volume blood transfusions and 2 large volume transfusions-the docs surmised that my antibodies were killing his immature red blood cells as they were being produced and the old transfused blood was dying-so that's why he was jaundiced and anemic-as soon as he got some new blood, his color was fantastic. he's a natural BF-never needed the shield and he nurses wonderfully. he's almost (thisclose) to being declared completely healthy. he weighed in at 16lb 4oz today-other stats i'll know in 3 weeks. he's finally going to be christened this sunday and meet a good deal of his relatives-well, if they ever RSVP me!!! gotta run, baby's awake

[ButterflyJen]

Holy cow, lorbo! That is one incredible, scary, emotional birth story. I am so glad James is all right.

oh, i was wondering why you were visiting and pumping for a baby you were giving up!
:confused: Wow. That's, um, interesting....scary, actually!!

[littlebear]

Wow! That is a scary story. I'm glad he's doing well now. That's why I like this thread so much. I was scared out of my mind when my DS was born early and had to spend so much time in the NICU. It helped so much to visit this thread on the WC and see so many good outcomes.

I was just reading jeggink's story over in the birth stories thread too. I always tear up when I read the preemie birth stories (well, pretty much all birth stories, but moreso on the preemie ones).

lorbo -Here's a link to growth charts (http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growth/growth_charts.html) in case you were curious as to where your son falls with percentiles. I printed one of them off and plot Zach's growth. It's kinda neat to watch him follow right along the 5th percentile curve.

[lorbo]

2 pics of the boy-i'll be removing the pics in a few hours though!
1 week old and last week

edit to remove pics.

[ButterflyJen]

He is such a cutie, lorbo!

[lorbo]

so i don't know if this is a preemie question or that i'm just overlooking how DD was when she was this age....James is now crying because i'm not right next to him and it's so bad, he gets hoarse-being that when DH has him, he doesn't know how to comfort him and just lets him cry. I'm kind of at wit's end, he's weighs so much and he's so heavy and when it's hot-it only makes both of us hotter-but he has to be on me, to be happy. this little boy has been pretty much happy go lucky, but the separation anxiety is taxing me. my mom says i'm spoiling him by not letting him cry-and i do let him cry-she said she understands why i try not to let him cry, because of the rough start and all those weeks in the NICUs. i don't know that i'm seeking advice....just need to vent a little...is there anybody in my shoes-James' screaming gets so bad, that it sounds like somebody is killing him and the look on his face when he lets out that blood curdling scream is shocking!

[mittyrd]

I can use this thread too. My boys were born on July 1 (4 weeks ago today) and they were 13 weeks early. Went into labor suddenly - no signs or symptoms - and delivered them by c/s 12 hours later. It was a nightmare. I'll try to find my labor story from another thread and copy it here. The boys were in the NICU for 2 weeks and now have been in the SCN for 2 weeks. They are expected to be there until the end of Sept. which is when I was due. They were on CPAP for 2 weeks and now are on nasal Oxygen. They were both about 2 1/2 pounds and 14 inches when they were born. Sam is now just over 3 pounds and Matt is 3.5 pounds. They are doing good although still having spells but they are getting better too. They had their first eye exams yesterday and both have stage 1 retinopathy with a follow up in 2 weeks. I am pumping breast milk and that is all they are getting right now. I still won't be able to try to feed them for another 3-4 weeks. It's been hard having them in the hospital and rarely getting to see or hold them. I have a lot of guilty feelings about that. I also have a 21 month old son who also needs me. I am going back to work monday so that I can take more time off when the boys come home.

[mittyrd]

Copied from previous thread:

I'll try to write this as I remember it but all of this has been such a blur - it happened so fast - I swear we are going to wake up and find out this was just a bad dream.

Thursday morning I had a doctor's appt. I complained about a lot of achey pains in my right ovary but he laughed at me and told me it was "ligament pain". I had also noticed that my belly had dropped significantly. Anyway, other than all that I felt ok and was just annoyed that the doctor didn't offer me any sympathy. Thursday evening, I was getting Jake ready for bed and I started having a few contractions around 6:30 pm. I didn't think too much of it as I often had contractions when I was sitting on the ground. Around 7 pm they started coming more regularly. I put Jake to bed and the contractions were getting stronger. DH was out so I didn't call anyone thinking they would go away. By the time DH got home around 8 pm the contractions were every 10 minutes and more and more painful. I had DH call the doctor and they told me to go to L&D right away. We dropped Jake off at his daycare provider's house and went to the hospital. They started me on tirbutiline (?sp) right away and even though I thought the contractions were getting better, apparently they weren't on the monitor. By then they were every 3-4 minutes. So then they started me on Magnesium and they started getting stronger again. They checked me for dilation and I was 3-4 cm so they sent me right away by ambulance to Boston. By the time I got there the contractions were only every 20 minutes so I thought I was doing better. When they checked me I was 100% effaced already but still at 4 cm. THe doctor told me I would be in the hospital for the remainder of the pg whether it be 2 days or 3 months. I cried b/c of Jake. As it turns out they had to deliver by c/s 2 hours later b/c I continued to dilate and they couldn't stop the contractions despite all the magnesium. I only got one shot of celestone 8 hours previously and the doctors were trying to hold on for 48 hours so that I could get 3 total to mature the lungs. So I had the babies 13 hours after the contractions started - the babies were 27 wks 3 days.

THe babies cried at delivery but were intubated within minutes. I got to see them for a couple of seconds before they sent them to the NICU. They anticipate they being there until the end of Sept. They are actually doing really well. THe nurses and doctors keep saying that they don't know they are only 27 weeks and think they are older. They also say they act like babies who got the 3 shots of celestone, not just one. They remained on the ventilators for only the first day and now they are both on CPAP. They have lots of spells when the CPAP is out even for a minute so they will be on that for a while. THey started on small amounts of feeds already and they are still getting TPN. I am a pumping fool so hopefully, I'll be able to make enough milk for them. Matt is just under 2.5 pounds now and Sam is just over 2 pounds.

[NJMom]

I would like to join too! I have twin boys that were born 7 weeks early. Here are my stats:

Mom: NJMom
Children's names: Jacob and Brayden
Born: 2/15/05 7 weeks premature
Stats: Jacob 4lbs 10oz, 17 1/2" and Brayden 4lbs 5oz, 17"

They were both born very healthy. They spent 9 days in the NICU and only really had an elevated biliruben level which is very common. They are both doing great now and growing like crazy. They were about 14lbs each about 4 weeks ago. We go for their 6 month check up in 2 weeks so I can't wait to see what they weigh now.

It's nice to have this thread to talk about development, growth and to share experiences. No one really thinks about the challenges with having premature babies until you go through it, like not being able to take your babies home with you when you leave the hospital, having to watch closely when feeding (suck, swallow and breathing coordination problems), etc.

Hi mittyrd - I know you from the twinmammas thread on WC. Congrats on the birth of your babies! Sorry that you had such a hard time but I'm glad they are doing well.

I'm glad to join here to share my experience with having 2 premature babies and to gain some insight from others as well!

[lorbo]

James had his 6 month appointment on wednesday-it was about 3 weeks late. hemoglobin was 12.9, so not too shabby. we get to stop all the meds in about 2 1/2 weeks-yea for that!!! he's weighing in at 17lb 2oz and he's 26 inches now. i was told he's in the 25% for height and 50% for weight-then i asked the nurse-are you going by his adjusted age or his actual age-actual age-so i questioned the doc about it and she said he's actually on the "regular" growth charts and if he was still tiny, then he'd be on the preemie chart. the doc's feeling is that James doesn't look like a preemie and he's doing stuff that babies his actual age do...so James is SO done with being a preemie. now if only he'd sleep and stop being so anxious when i leave him.

[wendstress]

I'll join!

Mom: Wendstress
Child's Name: James Jack
Born: 5/10/05 - 6 weeks early
Stats: 6 lbs 1 ounce, 18 inches

I had a premature rupture of membranes at 32.5 weeks.....about 12 hours after I got home from a plane ride from some out-of-town training! I was admitted to the hospital for bedrest.

I received 2 shots of steroids (OUCH!), and spent 10 days in bed. Dr. measured for lung maturity at about 33.5 weeks and Baby was measuring mature. He then planned to induce at 33 weeks 6 days (Monday).

James was born just after midnight, at exactly 34 weeks. He was born pink and screaming! NICU staff was on hand, but he was doing great and they sent him to the regular nursery. He came home with us when I was discharged!!

He seems to be hitting the physical milestones very well, but seems a little behind in the social milestones. It took forever to see a smile out of him, and I don't think giggling is even a thought right now.

He's 14 weeks old TODAY, and probably a little over 13 lbs.

I get so sick of hearing, "Are you sure your due date was correct?" With charting, and an 8-week ultrasound, YUP, I'm SURE.

[mittyrd]

Question for all you experienced preemie moms: My boys came home Wednesday :D - 5 weeks earlier than expected! The nurses warned me about their "preemie grunt" which they do all night long. How long does it last for? DH & I are going nuts!

[lorbo]

hmm, i was never warned about that. i also spent many months of James sleeping on me, and never once heard him grunt-maybe he's just a little strange!

[SD601]

mittyrd, what is the preemie grunt? DS grunts like crazy, and I keep thinking he has awful gas or something. Hmmm...

Mom: SD601
Child's Name: Josiah Thomas
Born: 8/15/05--a little over 5 weeks early
Stats: 5 lbs 13 oz, 17 inches

I'm glad to have this thread. We were expecting a very big boy (measuring big on every ultrasound) when I went into preterm labor at 32 weeks. After two weeks in the hospital, I was sent home on bedrest. My water broke, and DS was born at 34 weeks, 5 days. He was big for his age. Luckily, I had steriods in the hospital, so his lungs were mature and he only stayed an extra day in the hospital.

We are having a tough time breastfeeding. With his jaundice, he is so sleepy, and he doesn't open his mouth or suck very hard. He hasn't had formula since the hospital, and I am pumping like crazy and feeding him BM in a bottle. We are still working on latching, and he's already two weeks old! I hope it gets easier. I can't imagine pumping every three hours for a year! Did anyone else have difficulty breastfeeding in the beginning?

[firefly]

My second child was/is a preemie... she was a 35 weeker and was born 17 inches and 6lbs 7.7 oz. and was released at 5 lbs 10 oz and hit a low of 5lb 7 oz umm I don't think she qualifies as a small baby anymore she's 7 mo old 20-22 lbs and about 27 inches tall... :eek:

[wendstress]

mittyrd, what is the preemie grunt? DS grunts like crazy, and I keep thinking he has awful gas or something. Hmmm...

Mom: SD601
Child's Name: Josiah Thomas
Born: 8/15/05--a little over 5 weeks early
Stats: 5 lbs 13 oz, 17 inches

I'm glad to have this thread. We were expecting a very big boy (measuring big on every ultrasound) when I went into preterm labor at 32 weeks. After two weeks in the hospital, I was sent home on bedrest. My water broke, and DS was born at 34 weeks, 5 days. He was big for his age. Luckily, I had steriods in the hospital, so his lungs were mature and he only stayed an extra day in the hospital.

We are having a tough time breastfeeding. With his jaundice, he is so sleepy, and he doesn't open his mouth or suck very hard. He hasn't had formula since the hospital, and I am pumping like crazy and feeding him BM in a bottle. We are still working on latching, and he's already two weeks old! I hope it gets easier. I can't imagine pumping every three hours for a year! Did anyone else have difficulty breastfeeding in the beginning?

When James came home, he would often fall asleep while nursing. I learned to have a cool cloth nearby whenever I nursed; when he started to fall asleep, I'd gently wipe the cloth on his arm, forehead, or whatever it took to keep him awake. I'd also often open up his onesie so he was a little cooler and wouldn't fall asleep so easily.

WIih James' jaundice, I was very anal about feeding him every 3 hours - I woke him up. Our Ped. said that getting breastmilk through him would help with the jaundice a lot. As a result of the constant feeding, his jaundice was more or less gone by the time he was about 8 days old.

His latch wasn't the greatest during week 1. Improved by week 2, and he was quite good by week 3 (just in time for his growth spurt, in which he nursed every 2 hours around the clock for 4 days!!!!!!!).

Keep at it - you're doing great!

(Never heard of the premie grunt? Although James was a noisy sleeper/nurser for the first month to month and a half!)

[lorbo]

deleting pics

[ButterflyJen]

Oh my gosh, lorbo, he is a cutie. :)

[freckle]

hi mittyrd - my dd had the preemie grunt - it drove me crazy - it lasted for awhile! she was 5 lbs 1 oz when born at 36 wks.

she is now 22 lbs and 34 in at 20 months.

[LyLMyssChaos]

Ya know? I still can't help but think my DD was a preemie and we didn't know it! She was born 2 days late by my EDD, but I tell ya, everything that ya'll have described, she was. She grunted for like the first month or so, and it drove me batty in the middle of the night! And as for the size thing, well, she's still itty bitty. I have a heck of a time finding clothing for her. But, she's healthy as can be (despite being born with an immune deficiency she has only had 1 ear infection and she was like 14 months old,) eats like any other 2 year old and has more energy than I can keep up with. She took a big drop off right after she was born, but has stayed on the same curve since she was born, no major gains or losses, so the doctor's seem happy, but it is hard to see your kid in the lower percentiles (especially when your other child is 97% for both height and weight! :confused: )

Lorbo: I caught a glimpse of your picture of James (since I've been lurking along here) and my goodness, he is looking awesome!! He is looking so healthy and growing so well!! :)

I can't remember if I signed up for this thread here or not(I don't think I did,) so here is my info:
Mom: LyLMyssChaos
Child's Name: Madeline Rose
Born: 7/5/03, 2 days late according to my EDD
Birth Stats: 6 lbs. 2 oz., 19 inches long (12% for weight, 33% for height)
Current Stats: 26 months old, 23 lbs., 33 inches tall (4% for weight, 17% for height)

[SD601]

Preemie moms, when did you guys get smiles? How long are preemies usually delayed? Did anyone's baby gain weight rapidly in the beginning? Does it continue?

DS is 5 1/2 weeks (due date is today), and I know in my head that parts of his development will be delayed. It's just hard to convince myself and not look for those milestones, since physically he seems like an average baby. DS had gained so much weight (8 1/2 lbs--up from 5 lbs 13 oz) that he's up to normal, and he looks like a normal baby. I often forget he was early. How long should I consider his age adjusted?

I would love to hear some developmental milestones from other preemie moms. I'm not worried and know he'll develop at his own pace, but I'm just excited to see some. I constantly have to remind myself that he'll be behind, even though he seems to have caught up physically.

[lorbo]

smiling was done at around 8 weeks-and really only to me when we'd have "our" time in the wee hours of the morning-when sister and daddy were snoozing. he rolled normal time for babies-he's able to sit up when placed there, but he cannot sit up himself yet. he's not crawling yet, he's moving backwards though and positioning himself to crawl-so i don't think it's too far off. he got 6 teeth in a month, starting at 7 1/2 months(5 1/2 months adjusted age). His peds won't even put him on the preemie growth charts-the last dr said she thinks James has decided he had enough of being a preemie-i just hope that holds true with the threat of RSV(the thought of avoiding that virus scares the living hell out of me). he's also able to stand with assistance-he actually prefers to be standing, rather than sitting.

LyLMyssChaos-thank you so much for those kind words. James has been thru so much in his short life and people who were aware of his problems are shocked to see him in the last couple of months-he's closing in on 20lbs and is just 8 pounds away from his sister's weight. it's sometimes hard to believe that he was 8 weeks early and taken because he was in such bad shape. thank you again!!!!

[LyLMyssChaos]

LyLMyssChaos-thank you so much for those kind words. James has been thru so much in his short life and people who were aware of his problems are shocked to see him in the last couple of months-he's closing in on 20lbs and is just 8 pounds away from his sister's weight. it's sometimes hard to believe that he was 8 weeks early and taken because he was in such bad shape. thank you again!!!!

No problem, I remember *hearing* about your struggles on the other sight, and it is wonderful to see how he has fought the odds and it just shows what a tough little guy he is. It is stories like yours that really gives me faith in miracles. I know that medicine had some hand in it, but if your little guy wasn't a fighter, I don't think he'd have been as successful. It is very heartwarming to see the miracles of life in action.

[wendstress]

SD601 - My James has hit some milestones like he should according to his birthday, but others (like smiling) he has been a little delayed in. He didn't really get smiling until 11-12 weeks old.... For the most part he seems pretty well on track, but there are a few things that I know are a little slower.... He's over 4 months now, and he barely laughs...I sure hope that one will pick up some!

[jeggink]

SD601 My son was a 5 week early preemie. By 2 months he was up at the 50% on the normal infant growth chart and at 3 months at 90%. They catch up fast. From then on he has been at 75% until very recently.

DS did have some delays. I don't remember when he smiled, but stuff like grabbing and rolling over were delayed. He has caught up but I think some of that was due to physical therapy. At 8 months DS got Bacterial Meningitis and was in the hospital for 2 weeks, 3 days on a respirator. This is why we got the physical therapy and where we found out he was behind. He was just lacking muscle strength, not the will.

My dr still adjusts age for his development but not for growth. I think that will be stopping soon now that he is 1-yr. He is not standing on his own yet without holding onto something or walking, but that is normal and he has plenty of time to stil do that.

Hope that helps!

[lorbo]

he is quite the little survivor...medicine did play a huge part, as well as his fight to live....and everybody that was praying for him too!!!

[lorbo]

James' doctor was examining Brooke for her 2 1/2 year appt, but made a point of telling his nurses that he wanted James' hemoglobin checked, just so that he could know what was going on...12.9-it's stabilized and we'll get the all clear next month-fingers crossed!!!

[mittyrd]

It's been a long time since I have posted here. My boys were 27 week old preemies and are now 6 months old (3 months adjusted age). They are doing great and have gained tons of weight. I have a question for you preemie moms: For those of you who kept your baby(ies) in your room with you, at what age did you feel comfortable moving them into their own room? My boys have been home now for 4 months and I still can't put them in their own room. I'm still nervous about not being to hear every sound and I don't think a monitor would make me feel better about not having them in the room. DH thinks I am nuts and is ready to move them out. I was curious what others did. Thanks!

[lorbo]

i thought i posted...but exhaustion won. with James, i slept on the couch with him until he was at least 7 months old. DH didn't feel safe with him sleeping in bed, and after the last visit to children's hospital, it was all about me keeping him right next to me. at his 6 month well baby visit, the doctor asked me about sleeping arrangements and i told him. i said until you can tell me he's completely recovered and completely healthy, he will continue to sleep with me. the doctor then said, well, we're coming to that point soon and i said i'd be okay with that. i guess i moved him shortly after that to the cradle where he slept for quite a while-he's been in his crib probably since oct. if you're not comfortable, do what's best for you!

[LyLMyssChaos]

bumping for kmack

[mittyrd]

I'm glad this was bumped up. I keep meaning to try to find it but never seem to find the time. The twins will be 11 months old on Thursday :eek: (8 months adjusted). They are doing great. I'm not sure how much they weigh but I'm guessing around 19 pounds. They are crawling and into everything. They do not like being confined which makes it hard around here esp. with the 2.5 year old running around like a nut. Over the past few weeks they have cut 5 teeth each and are close to cutting a few more.

I got a reminder card from the NICU for a follow up appt. in the preemie clinic. I didn't even know they would be followed there. It is not until December. Did anyone else have an appt. like this? What was the appt. like? I'm not sure what to expect. The twins had their follow up eye exam a couple of weeks ago and their retinopathy has resolved. The doctor will see them again in a year. I was reading in my preemie book that they usually are not followed for 2 years but he said a year. Anyone else hear 1 year vs. 2 years?

Also, anyone with PTSD-like issues since the premature birth of their kid(s)? I feel like I have a lot of issues with it.

[gina73]

Just brought our little guy home from the NICU yesterday after an 8-day stay, and thought I'd check on CC to see if there was a thread like this. Hope it's still going?

Mom: gina73
Child's Name: Brady
Born: 5/22/06 - 5 weeks early at 35w2d (IUGR)
Stats: 4 lb 2.2 oz, 17

He's got a grunt thing going too - when he eats, when I put him down, and while he's sleeping too.

Since he was IUGR, he's eating a TON to make up for lost time. Before he left the NICU he was taking almost 90ml of breastmilk at night for the nurses every 3-4 hours. He's latching on pretty well, but his breastfeeding is a bit sporadic. Sometimes he'll go for about 3 minutes, then fall asleep but respond to a bottle. Other times, like last night and today, he'll breastfeed on one side for 10min, then act done until I burp him, then go on the other side for about 14min, then act done. I burp, try to get him to fall asleep, then he'll either make a poop, a big fart, or spit up, and be ready to go again. I just don't know if this is normal, if I should try to get him to eat until he's completely full, or if I should just try to put him to bed after he's done on both sides? Anyone experience this? It's driving me crazy, so I'm glad we have our first ped appointment tomorrow.

[Abby'sMom]

Hi ladies,

I don't have a preemie (yet), but I found out today that I could potentially have one in the very near future. (I've been having contrax that I'm not really feeling and am dilated to 2cm/50% effaced at just under 32 weeks (at the hospital 4 days ago, I was half a fingertip and not at all effaced).)

Anyway, I'm completely freaked out. My DD was born at 39w 4d so the notion of having a baby 8 weeks early is terrifying to me. Any kind of wisdom or encouragement or whatever that anyone can offer would be appreciated very much. I don't think I've ever been so scared before....

[lorbo]

James was born at 32 1/2 weeks because of congestive heart failure due to blood incompatibility. i think for me...the first couple of weeks with him in the NICU was a blur. i was actually talking to DH's cousin about my miracle baby and he was stunned by the first few weeks of James' life-well the first two months. he said his son spent 4 days in the NICU and he was a nervous wreck...and how did i do it? it was a blur...the whole business about the perinats saying my body was rejecting DS and what would happen...then my ob saying she was pretty sure he would be delivered that night and the transport to another hospital. you take each day one day at a time. there will be setbacks-James was put on a respirator for a few hours, then moved on to cpap(it helped pushed the oxygen in to his lungs), then nasal oxygen, back to cpap. James had to have indocin to close a shunt-the indocin crapped out his kidneys for awhile. the dr told me they had the best luck with cases like his for the indocin...he only required a half dose. he had a catheter blow in his hand and it was called an additive slough-i was warned that they might have to call plastic surgery to look at the area-i pretty much lost it then...my concerns and questions were always answered by all of the NICUs James was in...you are your baby's eyes and ears. if something doesn't look right, or if you're not happy about something, tell one of the nurses. SIL had her son a few months ago and her son was in the NICU for a few days(fullterm). she commented to DH she wasn't happy with the care-they fed the baby, they didn't change the baby's clothing when it was obvious that the outfit was from the day before-a vomit stain told that-and other things happened. my reaction to what he told me was why didn't she open her mouth? why didn't she tell one of the nurses she was going to change his clothes... it seems scary now...when you're dealing with...you'll know what to do...there is a preemie book suggested on the front page, good reading...wish i had known about it while i was recuperating from the c-section. good luck...babies at this stage can do wonderfully....like my baby-looking at him, nobody ever realizes he was so sick and so tiny when he was born.

[wendstress]

Abby's Mom - we were faced with having our James at 32.5 weeks (held on until 34 weeks) due to premature rupture of the membranes... The neonatologist told us:

*Baby may not be born pink and screaming, but it was OK, they dealt with it all the time (He was born pink and screaming)
*Baby would be anywere from 3.5 to 4.5 lbs (he ended up at 6#1oz at 34 weeks)
*32 weeks was "easy" for them, compared to what they had to deal with (26, 28 week old babies or younger)
*Baby could have to stay in the NICU up until his due date (he actually was discharged with me, and never spent 1 minute in the NICU)
*Baby's lungs are the last to develop, so he may need some breathing assistance (he didn't - thanks to the beta methasone)

Point is, while this is not desireable, you are far enough along that Baby should be A-OK. Hopefully they gave you the beta methazone (sp?) shots to help Baby's lungs develop - if not, ask about it - this was a huge help for James. (info here if you are interested: http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw222067)

Good luck - please check back in!

[lorbo]

i forgot...when i about to have the c/s-i was warned that the surgery room would be ice cold and James would be whisked away to a room next door which was incredibly warm and that's where i heard him cry. he actually had an in utero blood transfusion 2 weeks prior to birth, so i had the series of steroid injections done at that point in case of delivery at that point.

the doctors were confident about him. they were happy that u/s was showing him to be around 5lbs...not bad, he was 4lb 11oz. i was also told he could stay until his due date...but he didn't, he was in the two NICUs for 5 weeks.

his nurses and doctors were the biggest help in keeping me okay with everything up until the catheter issue and the formula vs breastmilk talk.

[mommy2maren]

Hi everyone! I'll join in!

my Stats:

DD: Maren
Born: Jan 18, 2005
at :38 weeks
IUGR: 4lbs 12 oz, 17 inches long


Maren was born small, but you'd never know it now! She had surpassed her birth weight in only 3 days after leaving the hospital.

Now she's 17 months! At her 15 month WBV, she was 20 lbs, 80th percentile for height, 25th for weight. She's a healthy happy baby, raised on breastmilk for 13 months, and now is going strong!

[gina73]

mommy2maren - as a mother of an IUGR baby, I have a question for you...Did your daughter do a lot of grunting and squirming around, as if trying to pass gas or make a poop? Brady does this ALOT when he sleeps, and sometimes even when he's nursing (ouch!), and I'm hoping he grows out of it soon. Just looking for some confirmation that he will...

[Abby'sMom]

Thank you lorbo and wendstress for your comments and for sharing what you know!! Of course you can read it all online in random places, but it's so nice to hear it 'in person' from someone who's really been there.

I'm still here on modified bedrest trying not to be too bored. Fortunately, I hadn't progressed anymore when I had my last appt on Friday, so the doc was VERY pleased with that and told me to continue taking things very easily. So that's what we're doing!

[wendstress]

Abby's Mom - whatever happened? Baby must be home, happy, and healthy by now!

[Ericka_Jarett]

wendstress - here is Abby's info: Logan Edward - July 31, 2006 not sure other details, this was on the August thread.

Me - Hi everyone, I am sitting here 100% effaced and a fingertip-1 cm dilated as of last Thursday at 30 weeks . I see my peri next week to see if I am dilated anymore or if there was any change. We are hoping to make it to at least 35 weeks. At the 30 week appt, baby was measuring on target for the most part and weighed about 2 lbs 14 oz. Hoping we find out the weight at the next u/s next week. I had the steroid shots last week in the hospital as well.

[Abby'sMom]

Sorry! Totally forgot to come back here; thanks for posting, Ericka.

Logan actually ended up coming at 38w 5d, and even then it was via induction because he didn't want to come out and I was starting to have issues with my BP!

I guess it just goes to show you that anything can happen, huh? Thanks for the stories and reassurances before!!

[mittyrd]

Abby: Congrats on keeping Logan in for so long!!

Erika: Good luck at keeping that baby in too! My boys were born at 2 pounds 10 ounces/2 pounds 8 ounces (and are doing great!)

My 27 week preemie boys turned 1 last month. They are 13 months now - 10 months adjusted age. They are pretty much doing everything that 1 year olds do. I am having them reevaluated by EI anyway since there is no cost. It's pretty amazing thinking back to a year ago and where they are now.

[lorbo]

congrats on your full-term baby Abby!

as for my preemie...he's 18 months...actually 18 1/2 months and just had his dr appt...he's almost 24 pounds (3 lbs up since may) and he's grown an inch and a half to two inches since then. his growth is now in the 25th percentile of his actual age...amazing little guy. the doctor thinks he'll grow in spurts and plateau and grow, etc. he isn't doing all that much in the way of talking...the doc isn't worried, he said he feels that James is all about being mobile at this point. lots of people have commented on how big he's gotten and his hair is finally coming in. his appetite is never ending as well. that's our update for now.

[jeeplover]

Wow I just found this thread and I would like to join!

Stats:
DS: Kyle
Born: April 5, 2006
at :36 weeks
IUGR: 7lbs 7 oz, 20.75 inches long

Size wise he was definitely a big baby for being a preemie. I had him via emergency c-section due to him swallowing almost all of my amniotic fluid which caused respiratory distress syndrome as well as jaundice. He spent a week in the NICU. He started tubefeeding at day 3 and that lasted until day 5 with supplementation of either my breastmilk or formula. He is doing great now although I do notice that he is a little behind in some of the developmental areas but not too far.

We have his 4 month visit on Thursday and I am curious to see what he weighs and when we will start cereal.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Update : saw my peri for the last time yesterday. He said baby looks great, hb was 143, he weighs about 4 lbs and we are free from bedrest in another 2 weeks when I am 34 weeks. He said that between 34-36 weeks they will take the pessary cerclage out. I was still 1 cm dilated so all is good there. he congratulated us for staying pregnant this long and said make sure to send me a picture.

[wendstress]

Ericka - GREAT NEWS! I've been wondering about you!!!

[AndreaMMS]

This has been a very interesting thread for me to read.

STATS

DD Naomi
Born 9/23/05
at: 40 weeks
5 pounds, 7 ounces, 18 1/2 inches


My daughter was born full term (day after her due date) at 5 pounds, 7 ounces. I've always seen that she was small, of course, but until I read this and saw that she was actually the same size as quite a few preemies, I didn't realize quite how tiny she really was!

She is perfectly normal and hitting all milestones on time/early. As far as size goes, she was about 17 1/2 pounds at her 9 month visit. Still on the small side, but at least I get a lot of use out of her clothes! ;)

We're not sure why she was/is such a little niblet - it could have been because I had severe Hyperemesis, it could have just been genetics (my husband and I aren't big people, and my Mom and Uncle were both born under 6 pounds).

I just wanted to put out there that weight estimations via ultrsound can be really off- I was having them every few weeks because at one point they did think she was running small -and they told me not to worry because they estimated her at 6 1/2 pounds!!! That's wrong by more than a pound!

[mittyrd]

Hi Andrea: I remember you from the sept. 05 thread. I don't know if you remember me. I was pg with twins and ended up delivering them 3 months early.

[crazycaro]

I have had 2 preemies.

Ruby
31 weeks
18 May 2004
3 pounds 10 ounces

Chloe
34 weeks
29 March 2006
5 pounds 8 ounces (so big!!!)

Both girls are doing great. Ruby is off the charts (heavy end) for her weight and HC, and about 75% for height.

At 4 months Chloe was at 25% for weight and height (up from 10 & 3% at 2 months). Her noggin is huge, it went from 25 - 75% at 4 months. I don't think she will end up as heavy as Ruby, maybe longer though, time will tell.

We're very lucky in that there have been no issues with either girl. Developmentally they can be a little behind, but that's no biggie, they always catch up. :)

Caroline

[AndreaMMS]

Hi Andrea: I remember you from the sept. 05 thread. I don't know if you remember me. I was pg with twins and ended up delivering them 3 months early.


Hey, Mittyrd, of course I remember you! So glad to read that the boys are doing well! A big happy birthday to them!:D

[Ericka_Jarett]

Not sure if anyone still stops by here, but thought I would update my status.

I had Easton Robert back on 9/5/06. He was born at 35w 6d and weighed in at 5lbs 6oz. (discharged at the same size) He was in Special Care Nursery from birth until the 16th of Sept (10 days old) he was having sucking issues. The hospital put him on Neosure formula and he has yet to try to really breastfeed (he is 3w 4d now) I tried myself at home to get him to latch, but he tries and just stops after a min or 2, thinking I may try shields to see if that will help him out. He is eating about 2-3 oz in a feeding every 2-3 hours. I feed him on demand and the doctor is fine with that. His weight as of 2w 6d was 6lbs 8 1/2oz. I have been pumping since a day after birth, but I don't do it as often as I probably should, usually 2-3 times a day, I only get a few cc's at each pumping. I put what I get into his formula bottles so at least he gets some.

[mittyrd]

Ericka: Congratulations! As a former pumper, you will need to pump more often to establish a supply. Although every bit helps him!

My 27 week preemies turned 15 months (12 months gestational age) yesterday. Tomorrow is their 15 month WBV. I can't wait to see how much they weigh now.

[alienhost]

Ericka congratulations! I was in a similar situation w/ DD. She could only BF for a few minutes and then she would get too tired (I suspect she wasn't getting enough while sucking). I pumped every three hours to establish/keep my supply up. I fed her bottles of EBM for probably 2-3 weeks. During that time I would have her latch and BF for a few minutes (most feedings) so she would learn to BF. Eventually we moved to BF full-time and moved away from bottles. I BF'ed her for 13 months.

It can be done if you put your mind to it (I was determined). Try the shields or maybe try and see a LC. The more you pump, the better your supply. It's frustrating to just get a few ccs, but if you do it more often you'll be amazed how much you can eventually pump.

Good luck, it sounds like he is doing great!

[prudies]

Hi Ericka, congratulations! I was also in a similar situation with my DS, born 8 weeks early. I was only able to get him to latch with the help of a nipple shield and an LC. A good LC is invaluable in helping you create a plan. Basically, if baby starts out with bottles, baby will prefer a bottle. You have to teach baby to breastfeed.

I don't want to overwhelm you with too much info, but here was what we did in short: once DS latched, we did half the feedings at the breast, and half bottles at first. Pumped after every bottle feeding. Then gradually fazed out the bottles.

Check the BFing thread for more help. And kellymom.com has a lot of great info. Good luck! Please let us know how things are going.

[wendstress]

Good luck on the BFing... Per my LC, I was to feed, and then pump for 5-10 minutes immediately afterwards every day for the first several in order to boost my supply. If this is important to you - go see a LC! It can be done!

Glad to here that Easton is generally doing well! I know what a ride it's been for you! Love his name, by the way!

[alienhost]

I was thinking it might be fun to post our preemies' stats at 1 year /15 /18 months etc. - just to see how they have grown. Anyone else interested?

Birth: 5lbs 4ozs/19 inches (4.5 weeks early)
1 year: 17lbs, 1oz/28.5 inches
15 months: 18lbs, 12 ozs/30.75 inches

she is still a peanut!

[wendstress]

Good idea!

Birth: 6lbs 1ozs/18 inches (6 weeks early)
1 year: 22.5 lbs
15 months: 24 lbs

Don't have the exact weights on me for 12/15 month visits, but these are close enough. He's been running about 50th percentile for height and weight since he was about 9 months old. Can't believe he's 18 months old next month!

[mittyrd]

Birth: 1 was 2 lbs 8 oz the other 2 lbs 10 oz
1 year: 1 was about 19 lbs the other 20 (can't remember exactly and too lazy to get up and look)
15 months: the same as 12 months. The doctor seemed a little concerned so we are doing another check in 6 weeks (I'm questioning the accuracy of the 12 month stats since they seem to be growing to me)

[E&O]

My daughter was born at 35 weeks (on 7/14/06)
birth weight: 5lb 7 oz
release from NICU (8 days old): 5lb 8oz
2 month check up: 8 lb 5 oz
4 month check up: coming in 2 weeks, but we are hoping for 12 lbs

When she was born everything initially check out fine but when we settled in for our first BF (maybe 45 mins-1 hr after birth), she seemed unresponsive. The midwife called a "code pink" and the room flooded with people. She was taken to NICU, had oxygen for about 1 day and then spent the next 7 days trying to maintain an acceptable body temperature and gain weight.

She has been healthy and happy since we've brought her home and has even managed to survive 4 weeks of daycare without catching a cold!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Welcome E&O

Well bf never took off, and pumping wasn't producing much of anything, even with reglan (script not to stay on long) so we have just stuck with formula. I'm ok with it though, he got the most important part of milk while in the hospital and he did get some milk for a few weeks so that was still good. We are off NeoSure as of his 1 month appt. I asked the doctor because I had 2 cans of the same formula sent to me so started using those. When he weighed in at 8lbs, 4.5oz she said it was perfectly fine that he was off the NeoSure, plus since he was born only 4 weeks early she felt ok with it. I did move him to a formula for gassy babies to try and help his fussiness/gas. Seems to be working, plus we went with the cheaper Target version of the Enfamil Lipil so things are good.

He goes for his 2 month appt on Monday, he is at least 10lbs if not a little more. He is growing like a weed and is really showing his personality.

[Eliezrah]

Hey gals! Can I join in here even though my 28 weeker preemie will be turning 3 in 2 more days?? Maybe I can help give advice and support to those of you who are dealing with issues I already dealt with.

Jackie was born on Nov 28, 2003 at 28 1/2 weeks weighing 3 lbs, 5.4 ounces (yes, she was big for 28 weeks!). She had RDS, anemia, ROP stage 1, jaundice, kidney problems (non preemie related) and failed her hearing test. She wad intubated for 6 days and fed with a feeding tube for 5 weeks. We weren't allowed to ohld her or do more than touch her toe for her first week of life. She spent 45 days in a Level III NICU and came home at jsut over 5 lbs. I wasn't able to BF her and was only able to pump for 9 weeks.

As of her last hearing screen 2 weeks ago, SHE'S 100% CLEARED OF EVERYTHING! We went through so many ups and downs, especially her first 6 months with doc appts at least every week and then surgery for her kidneys at 14 months.

She has her 3 year WBV on Wed (bday on Tues) but I believe she'll be about 30 lbs and possibly 35-36 inches. She wasn't on the charts at all at first but has been in the 25th% since she was about 12-15 months old.

[Jenyfer9]

Bumping this up (not to join though!) because my friend is (as I type) in labor at 35 weeks. I KNOW she wasn't thinking that this was a possibility (we just had her shower on Sunday), so I don't think that she has any clothes that are preemie appropriate. I know that BRU has a selection of preemie clothes, but where else would be a good place to look? I know that she's not real keen on the current lines at Gymboree, or else I'd look there... any suggestions? Thanks!

[mittyrd]

Hi Jenyfer!

Walmart has a big selection of preemie clothes and they are very inexpensive which is nice since they only wear them for such a short time. Most preemie clothes only go to 5 pounds though and many 35 weekers have babies that size or even bigger. fyi - If the baby ends up being in the nicu they don't like clothes that have zippers b/c it's too hard with the wires/tubes. Good luch to your friend!

Update on my 27 weekers: They have their 18 month wbv today and doing great. They had their NICU follow up in the preemie clinic a couple of months ago and they deemed them quite a bit behind although I don't see it (and not just b/c I'm a proud mama with blinders on!!) Their doctor should have their report today so I'm going to ask about it. Other than that they have caught up ht/wt wise and they have even started talking a little. Sleep is still an issue with one of them but he is very manipulative in a charming way ;)

[Jenyfer9]

thanks for answering so quickly. Any chance that I could avoid Walmart? Does Target carry any? Thanks about the zipper advice... kinda thought that was the case, but it's good to know for sure.

[richards2]

Burlington Coat Factory has a large selection of preemie clothes.

I would like to join you guys. I had my daughter Isabella December 6, 2006. She was eight weeks early. She weighed 4 pounds 5 ounces. We went to the doctor yesterday and she is up to 6 pounds 8 ounces.

It will be so nice to have people to talk to that are going through the same things we are.

[lorbo]

gap has preemie clothes. DS was 4lb 11oz and the preemie clothes from there made him look like the incredible hulk...as per the NICU nurses. they do carry up to 7lbs...then newborn. BRU has a nice selection...Macy's might also have preemie...but it's a very small selection.

my preemie is coming up on his 2nd birthday in less than a week. his talking has exploded in the past month. sometimes he's real clear with his words, other times he babbles. very few sentences though. i'll update with his stats and the doc's thoughts after his appt on the 23rd.

[lorbo]

thought i'd post a pic of my preemie...notice the shirt-when i saw it, i had to get it.will delete in a few days

[Ericka_Jarett]

My preemie had his 4 month WBV and is now 13lbs 2oz and 24 1/4" long. He gained almost 8lbs in 4 months.

Preemie clothes - we got 2 outfits from BRU and a friend of mine gave me a sleeper at my shower. It was great because it snapped down the front and also snapped at the legs, so the wires we were able to put through the bottom. The gown we got at BRU and it had snaps as well. I think more preemie clothes (at least that I have seen) only have snaps. Easton was in Special care for 10 days and it wasn't until about the time he was 3 days old that we brought the sleeper and gown set we bought in. We got the gown back about 2 weeks before I went into labor because I know most babies can't wear newborn size.

The Baby Gap up to 7lbs was great because after Easton was out of preemie clothes, he couldn't fit in newborn clothes still so a friend sent me a few pieces of the up to 7lbs and they worked great and he wore them until he was about 8-9lbs.

[lorbo]

2 year stats
James
34 1/4 inches- 2 1/4 inches since August

26 1/4 pounds-3 1/4 pounds since August

i don't have the percentiles...and the doctor doesn't feel they're necessary. looking at the stats in his monthly group and being that he's a boy...he's larger than the girls, so i shouldn't really talk about him being a preemie. he seems to be doing stuff according to his age-his word count has exploded and he's constantly repeating, he's jumping with both feet, loves to be read to, knows his body parts, follows directions and pulls temper tantrums left and right...but he is 2:rolleyes: so i have to give him that!

[usafwife]

Hi ladies. I'm not sure if I qualify to post in here or not but I hope you'll all welcome me. DS was born at 37 wks. Even though he weighed 7lbs, 6oz at birth we've had no luck finding anything that he can wear. He was barely 7lbs when we left the hospital. This past weekend we went shopping so we could find him something and didn't have much luck. We did find some Gerber things that do fit him better than anything else we've gotten so far. Newborn just swallow him up (as does 0-3 months). DH had to go buy something for when he came home as the two outfits I'd packed were way TOO big.

We thought he was going to come much earlier than 37 wks since I started in labor at 35 wks. I was in it for the next two long wks. We both had some issues during delivery though. DS' respirations were too fast, his 02 sat wasn't were they wanted it, he was blue at birth, and had way TOO much fluid in his lungs. He spent the next 8+ hours in an incubator being watched and monitored closely.

I'm trying to BF but I don't think he's getting as much as he used to. I'm taking a med that my OB prescribed to help increase milk supply but I don't think it's working. I'm waiting to hear back to see if we can possibly rent a pump. I'd like to continue to give him BM if at all possible. He won't take formula very well at all (either won't drink it or it comes back up). And talk about trouble finding a nipple/bottle that he could drink from. Every one we tried was too big. We used the Vent Aire ones with DD and DS couldn't even get his mouth around the nipple and close.

I was getting ready to ask about where we could find some clothes for him. We don't have much option here but I'm going to keep the names you all have posted and look there (BRU, Gap, Burlington, etc). Target didn't have much when we were this past weekend...or at least the store where we were at.

I'm trying to get used to having such a small little one. DD was bigger and born at 40 wks so all of this is new and different to us. Everyone that sees DS says that "he's so small/tiny." Even my SIL whose kids were all born weighing between 7 and 7 1/2 lbs says he's much smaller than her's were.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Easton is doing things that regular aged babies are doing that are his age. We never really had a doubt that he would, but you always hear of preemies being slower in developing, well my little guy is not settling on that stereotype. He is even teething and his right bottom tooth will probably make any appearance by the time he is 6 months or sooner.

[Eliezrah]

Always so great to hear wonderful preemie news!!

[Sebski]

i hope you don't mind my posting here because i don't think i officially qualify yet... but i need some insight into premature births and babies.

i am currently 22w pregnant w/ identical twin girls. our baby b is suffering from iugr caused by an unequal placental share. we were diagnosed 2 days ago at the childrens hospital in philly. my peri sent me there since she suspected ttts, but it turns out that it's iugr. anyway, the babies are measuring a week apart and 4oz differently. the dr. we met w/ at chop seemed confident that i'd be able to make it to 24 or 26w... maybe even 28. however, he was pretty set that i wouldn't make it past 28 or 30w. the only option, other than continued high risk monitoring, we were left w/ was to terminate our smaller baby in the hopes of allowing the larger one to continue on to full term. that's not an option for us and as such, i'm hoping to gain insight into extreme premature deliveries, babies and what the risks involved are. i looked through your 1st page and saw that most of you weren't this extremely premature but perhaps you can recommend websites or point me in the direction of diff literature that might help someone in my situation.

thank you!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Sebski - so sorry to hear this is happening to you. I had Rebekah at 24 weeks but she was only matured to about 22 weeks due to an infection. Easton was born at 35w 6d. I pray you can get closer to 30 weeks, hope your doctor is wrong in not making it that far. My peri wanted me to reach 32-34 with Easton and was thrilled I made it longer.
Easton was hospitalized in the Special Care Nursery for 10 days, but that was due to feeding, nothing else, so I can't be of much help there. But I will keep you, your hubby and twin daughters in my prayers.

http://www.metrohealth.org/body.cfm?id=1773&oTopID=1773&plinkid=108

[lorbo]

i have to applaud CHOP. DS was admitted there for hemolytic anemia about a month after his release from the NICUs. the staff is amazing and my little boy shocked those who saw him first-they were stunned that he was pretty asymptomatic, aside from being pale-his hemoglobin when admitted was 3.8-so EVERYBODY was told to take very minimal blood if at all.

i do of a woman who was pregnant with triplets. she went in to labor and had them at about 24 weeks, maybe 25 weeks-she had 2 boys and a little girl...the little girl survived and did really well, considering how early she was-lots of surgery and stuff...but she's pretty close to being a regular 4 or 5 year old...she is truly a miracle baby-she was born at Abington Memorial...though i think they did spend a lot of time at CHOP...but that woman preferred the care at AMH.

[jeeplover]

Sebski-I am so sorry to hear of your situation. I hope that you can make it to 30 weeks as well. I would like to suggest though looking for a MOMs group (Mothers of Multiples). I have a friend who has twin girls and even though she was part of our moms group it was hard for us to relate to having two infants. I bet that you would find more information from others who have had similar situations meaning premature birth of twins or multiples. I wish you luck and I will keep you and your DH and those little twin girls in my prayers!

[mittyrd]

Hi Sebski: It's mittyrd from the twins group. I am so sorry that you have to go through this. My boys were born unexpectedly at 27w3d. I will be here to support you/answer questions/etc. whatever you need. Here are a couple of websites that may be helpful to you:

http://www.prematurelyyours.com/
http://www.preemie-l.org/

[Eliezrah]

Sebski, Jackie was a 28 weeker (single baby, not twins) and was in a level 3 NICU for 45 days. She was fairly big for a 28 weeker (3lbs 5.4 ozs) and had some issues, but is a perfectly healthy, normal 3 year old now. Feel free to ask me anything you want about having such an early preemie, and I hope you can make it to 30+ weeks!

[Brink]

Hi Ladies,

We are finally getting around to joining this group. Our girls were born almost 3 weeks ago and are doing great. They are still in the NICU but should be coming home any day now. I went out and bought a bunch of preemie clothes and now I'm just hoping they will fit for more than a couple of weeks.

Stats:

Me: Brink
Childs Name: Katherine (Katie) and Kristi
Born: 1/31/07 (33 weeks, 2 days)
Stats: Katie - 3lb 15oz, 17.5 inches; Kristi - 4lb 7oz, 16.75 inches

Not sure what issues we will face yet. They seem to be really healthy and didn't require anything special at birth except the feeding and growing. Surprising they didn't need any oxygen and they have not had any apnea issues.

Looking forward to learning from each of you in the coming months.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Congrats Brink - so glad to hear they will be home soon. I read some of what was happening on the multiples board (I lurked since LDS was on there :) )

[Sebski]

Thank you very much for all of the support!

Mittyrd - thanks a bunch for those links... I'm going to check them out after posting here.

Eliezrah - may I ask where you delivered? I believe you live in NJ correct? I'm in Jersey as well, Short Hills to be exact. We are seeing the MFM group out of St. Barnabas and plan to deliver there... they are a level 3 NICU. Our next appt is on Weds w/ them where my DH and I plan to discuss NICU capabilities for extremely premature babies. Our concern is finding out whether or not there is a better one in the area... we want to make sure we deliver at the best. As I understand it, Morristown Memorial has a very good NICU as well. Any insight into hospitals?

I'm hanging in there... considering myself 23w already even though that milestone doesn't officially happen until Thursday. :o Every bit helps! :)

[mittyrd]

Sebski: I've been thinking about you. You will be in the same boat I was except that you do have some time to prepare yourself for having 2 preemies. It is so hard having 2 kids in the hospital and 1 at home b/c you feel so torn about who to spend your time with. DH and I were having a conversation about this the other day. I was saying how the day of their birth was the worst day of my life (b/c I did not think they were going to make it) and he was saying that he wouldn't change anything b/c he thinks their time in the hospital shaped them into the sweet, loving boys they are. (Not sure how but he truly believes they would be different now if they had a different start). Interesting though. Anyway, I forgot www.preemiemagazine.com. You can subscribe via their website (I believe it is free). The magazine only comes out 4 times a year but there are a lot of resources on the website.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Ladies I started the new thread, it's located here (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30277)

If you posted recently in here, I moved your information over, so please review and make sure it's correct and if you want to add more stats, feel free to post them in red

If you haven't posted recently or formally please feel free to join and will add you to the roster. There is a space for pics as well.