Baby Articles Baby Care Keeping Organized with a Preemie
Keeping Organized with a Preemie
Caring for a preemie baby can be a frightening but rewarding experience. Watching that smaller than your hand life grow and unfold is joyous beyond imagination.
But never forget these almost born too soon tiny peanuts need our gentle care to help them thrive.
Our own baby was born at 30 weeks. She was ready to come home at 5 lbs. Ready to come home to her forever home. At 4 years you would never know how precarious her life was those years ago but there were some scary times and things we learned.
We know our Peanut is blessed. She has no medical conditions resulting from being born too early. She has only had one bad cold per year and has perfect eyesight.
Knowing what parents of preemies go through I’m listing some ways we stayed organized those first 6 months.
Get the Training: Take the infant cpr class. While your baby is in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) learn and practice how to diaper, bathe, and feed your baby. And also caring for any special needs your little one may have. Ask the nurses. Practice wearing your baby because that is important too.
Take offers of help: Offers to clean your home, cook your meals, or care for your other children. Take them! You can use all the help you can get.
Keep track: Get an accordion file and a notebook. Keep the various doctors numbers and records on doctor visits in the accordion file. Also any charts on at home physical therapy or other special needs. Keep records of feedings, diaper changes, and sleep habits in the notebook.
Resources: Get a book or two on caring for preemies. And find a support group online or at your hospital. Share those milestones and get answers for common questions.
