Preemie question

Hi ladies, Maybe you can help. I am not a multiple mommy but I am a preemie mommy and know some multiple pregnancies deliver early. I delivered at 32 weeks 4 days and am an emotional wreck. DD is not on a vent but needs a feeding tube. She is 33 weeks 3 days old today and in NICU. She is periodically sucking on her pacifier and I wanted to know how difficult it was getting your babies to breathe/suck/swallow. I think this will be her hurdle.

#2 When did your babies go home and their weight if they were before 33 weeks?

Re: Preemie question

My sons were born at 35 weeks. One was 3 lbs 10 ozs and the other 6 lbs 10 ozs.

The bigger one was home in a week, he ate fine and was breathing fine, he needed a heart procedure which we knew about in utero.

My little guy was never on a vent he had no problems breathing on his own, but becuase of his size, and he did not eat well, they had him on a feeding tube. He was getting too tired from eating that it would take him forever to take a feeding. Finally he was able to take feeding well after a bout of NEC, and he was sent home a month after he was born. He was sent home I think under 5 lbs, but pretty close ot it. They were not concerened about his weight in order to leave, it was more of the fact that he needed to be taking a certain amount of calories, breathe on his own, keep his temperature and keep the weight on.

The thing that worked in getting my son to eat was time. As he got older he was able to feed much better. Once you get to their due date most babies leave then or before this and they are eating and breathing like champs.

Good Luck and if you need to talk please fm me.

Re: Preemie question

My babies were born at 33w 5d. They were never on feeding tubes. They were able to come home 8 and 10 days after they were born; both were under 5lbs. We had a few bradycardias that kept them in the NICU longer.

It's very emotional being in the NICU and seeing your little one there. Think positive and use the nurses for reference - they're usually very knowledgable.

I your baby is home soon!

Re: Preemie question

my girls were born at 29 1/2 weeks they were on vents and Feeding tubes. they were born at 2lbs 12oz's and 3 lbs 2oz.. I think they started bottle feeding them at 34-35 weeks. They stayed in the NICU for 2 1/2 months. I was due April 29th and i had them Feb 13th. I brought Sydney home a week before my due date and Reese 3 weeks later.

the weights when i brought them home were 5lb 8oz and 6lb 2oz..Just to let you know the weights really don't have anything to do with when you can take the baby home. The docs want to make sure they baby can suck, swallow and breath at the same time and once they get that they usually go home within a few days. Reese was having a hard time with that she would turn blue because would breathe while sucking and swallowing..but then it all clicked and both my girls are doing fantastic.

if you need additional info FM me and good luck to you and your family.

Re: Preemie question

I know how hard these first few weeks can be...hang in there! My boys were exactly 33 weeks when they were born. They were on feeding tubes for a few days before they learned to suck and swallow. One of my boys was on cpap for 24hours and they were both on O2 for the better part of the week. The nurses were really good about encouraging the use of the bottle, and although they got the hang of it after a few days, they were slow, and so they kept the tube in. I cried A LOT those few weeks, but I promise you, it will all be a distant memory in no time. Both boys were home by 36 weeks.
Your little one will be making huge strides in the next few weeks...like I said, hang in there!!!

Re: Preemie question

Thank you so much. We "graduated" to the stable side of the NICU today. She is by the window where everyone can see her. She is a little under 4 pounds still. I just want her to gain some weight.

Re: Preemie question

Not a preemie mommy but wanted to send your little one some of these...


And of course some form mommy....

Message edited 8/12/2007 2:49:55 PM.