advice--help--feedback

So its been determined that I will be in the confines of this lovely hospital room until baby comes-- i have gotten over my pity party for the most part and am just praying that baby stays baking. He is measuring ahead by 1 week and 2 days and while i know that u/s can be way off- i am simply hoping that it is not off by too much.

So ideas of what to do on my bed rest? good books to read..things to research..etc also does anyone have toddler and husband friendly recipes so my husband can make sure that ds is eating properly while i am away?

here is my main question... so i have been told by different people that if baby is born before 32 weeks I have to wait until 32 weeks before I can bring him to the breast (of course if there are no major issues going on) to feed. I would have to be feeding expressed milk through however nicu will be feeding him tube or syringe. I am waiting on the official answer from the nicu here. I have also heard different stories about nicu's having strict policies on breastfeeding. When I went to look it up there is lots of crap about preemies having so much of a harder time breastfeeding and the issues that come along with it. So I need to arm myself with knowledge and stories. Anyone know of people with b/f stories and their preemies or simply have any other info on the subject? Thanks!

:bigarmhug:

Do you have a baby book for DS that needs updating? That should kill some time :)

If I were unexpectedly hospitalized, I would try not to worry "what" my DH and DD were eating. So long as your DH is feeding him, he'll be fine. Don't stress yourself out about it. if it helps to pass the time, make a short list of dinner items that your DH can handle.

Baby measuring ahead is a great sign! U/S aren't that accurate at this point but 9 days ahead is at least an indication that you're ahead of the game. I'm sorry I don't have any specifics on nursing a preemie. What I do know is that you should try to get BFing established as soon as possible and you should absolutely be pumping as much as possible if baby isn't nursing. Pump as often as a newborn nurses. Say every hour during the day and every 2-3 at night. Its hardcore but that's what its going to take to set yourself up for success. I've never heard that you HAVE to wait until 32 weeks. I think its more to do with baby not having the required reflexes to nurse, which is why they'd be tube feeding or syringe feeding. Ask to see an LC immediately, like now, so you'll be better prepared. Contact local breastfeeding groups now for support later. You're fortunate that you have time to prepare (and hopefully a good amount of it).

My cousin was diagnosed with a small uterus after she had her son. He was born at around 30 weeks or so if memory serves, and I never heard her say she had any challenges with nursing at all. He also has Down's Syndrome. She is now a little over 3 months pg with her second child.
As far as feeding N, it would depend on what he likes, but things like Spaghetti (I always add chopped up spinach to the sauce), burritos or just eating fresh veggies with some kind of dip. I don't remember if N likes veggies, but Lyla loves roasted veggies and it's super simple. Just tell your DH to take said veggie (brussel sprout, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, etc.) cut it up and put it in a baking dish, drizzle a little olive oil, and a bit of salt and roast at around 400*F for around 30 minutes. You may already know that one, and if so, ignore me. :)

:grouphug:

I don't have a lot to add, but I think Erin's suggestions are excellent. I have never heard of having to wait until 32 weeks either.

Updating a baby book for DS is a great idea--I wish I had the time to do that for Adair! The only reason she has one at all is because I had a Groupon that was about to expire, and I just dumped a bunch of photos in the day before and hit print--they're not even all in order :(

As far as toddler meals, I don't know how picky your DS is, but Adair eats a lot of peas, chicken, avocado, fruit...just simple things like that. No (or very little) cooking required! (I just discovered the pre-cooked chicken chunks at Trader Joe's...WIN.)

Keep cooking baby!!

I had a friend who had her son at 33 weeks and breastfed him right away. And he went home in 10 days!!!!

As for measuring ahead, it IS still a fairly correct measurement, but it just cant predict weight. They measure head circumference, femur length and abdo circumference. So he could measure ahead and still not be HUGE if he's on the skinny side. Simon measured ahead but was in the 25th percentile at birth since he was long and skinny.

And as long as your son is eatin i wouldnt worry too much. :)

If a list of meal ideas to give to your husband helps, then why not? I wouldn't worry what he's eating as much as variety over time. My husband would give DS cereal and banana every morning. PB&J for lunch everyday with a fruit cup, and probably have pizza 2-3 times a week. lol. So not unhealthy but uhhh, variety needed.
Might help him with ideas (we do several of these as dinner as a family like creatively stuffed quesadillas):
Cooking with Mrs Sea Monster: Toddler Lunches: Going Beyond Chicken Nuggets, Hot Dogs, and PBJ Sandwiches

As far as BFing goes, definitely great to ask the doctors there questions. You'll want to ask about a pump now so that you have it after birth. Ask about an LC to talk to too. Is there a local LLL you can contact? They'd be good support and can remind you of things to ask and consider in your journey. I haven't heard of a 32 week rule before, I think it's more that most preemies don't have that reflex yet to be able to nurse. What you can ask questions about is him getting your BM rather than their preemie formulas. I don't know a lot of details (just what I've picked up on from others in this situation), but I know that initiating BFing is different with preemies many times. That nursing sessions are rather quick, but you want to ask to nurse as much as possible so they get a lot of practice (depends on their health really though). ((hugs)) With luck all this hospital bed rest will allow this baby to bake for several more weeks.

There's a few wonderful articles that I've read about kangaroo care and the imperativeness of it with a preemie. I don't have time right now to find it but I will.

I would imagine bf'ing will depend on YOUR babys' ability not just a timeline. I agree with Erin, if you're unable to nurse, pump, pump and pump! Find a LC now and start going over game plans with her now.

I have to pick up DS in a few minutes but I'll get back here tonight and add some stuff.

Have you joined pinterest yet? That would fill some time each day. Do you know how to knit or crochet? Or know someone who does? Or can watch videos on you tube? You could work on making some cute hats/blankets/things for the baby. There are lots of free patterns out there. If you join Ravelry, it's a wealth of patterns - some free, some low cost.

As far as BM for a preemie, I don't have any experience, but I'd make sure the drs know your intentions to provide BM, and talk to an LC now. Make sure they can get you a good hospital grade pump, or if you have a double electric pump at home I'd have someone bring it in just so it's there. Is there a LLL group near you? They may be able to direct you to some good info on pumping for/nursing a preemie.

As far as what DH/DS are eating, do you have friends/family nearby that can set up a meal train for your family? meal Train | Meal Calendar for New Parents, Surgery, Illness, and More I've even seen people post a meal train link on facebook. Do you attend a church? Your church friends might help out, too.

Best wishes and many hugs to you. I hope that baby boy keeps baking!

Oh yeah, meal train is a great thing to set up!!! Friends of ours used it when their son was first diagnosed with cancer and the mom and son were away for treatment. It made the rest of us feel like there was something we could do to really help. People love to help, they really do, but it's hard to know what someone needs, especially like in this case where we are friends with them but not best friends so they're older child wasn't comfortable with us so we couldn't help like that and I don't know her well enough to offer to clean her house but meals, THAT I can do! I would definitely set that up for DH and DS!!

I taught myself how to knit using you tube videos. Definitely try it out, it would help kill lots of time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by momW

I taught myself how to knit using you tube videos. Definitely try it out, it would help kill lots of time.

---

That's a GREAT idea! Or any hand craft that you find interesting, really, and can get someone to bring you supplies for.