Sorry for no updates lately!

[turtletyme]

So glad to hear from you. No one could blame you for feeling stressed and out of sorts given the circumstances. I hope you are feeling 100% soon and Tinsley can come home ASAP. Thinking of you!

[gilder40]

May 12, 2015 14:27:48 GMT -5 santoki77 said:

May 12, 2015 8:15:46 GMT -5 gilder40 said:

l

Sorry for my lack of humor or perkiness. I'm pretty tired and feel like I've been through the ringer. A momma is not meant to be separated from her baby like this, and it has been super hard on me. My hormones are also all whacky, and I've been crying a lot. My doctor was worried about post-partum depression. I don't feel depressed or upset, I'm just tired and want my baby home with us.

Completely how I feel. Ppl are worried that I'm experiencing ppdepression but I'm just tired and miss my baby boy. I only get chocked up when I think about him and how he's not home.

My boy had feeding issues in the beginning as well but he's starting to do better and gaining weight! I hope your little girl's time in the NICU is short and she's with you soon.

Thank you!! How is your little one doing??

And for me it's the same. I only cry and get upset thinking about her at the NICU and not home with us. I cry when I leave her, even though we live 5 miles from the hospital and I can go whenever I want...even at 3am if I so desired. And I know she's loved on and spoiled rotten up there. It's just tough.

[omgtree]

I know how you feel about being away from your baby. I cried to DH last night about how much I was missing Ellie and just want her home. It's good that she can take bottle/breast. She'll get there! Ellie is still sleepy all the time too and has yet to take more then 7 mL by mouth. Ugh don't these girls' understand their mommies want them home!!

[stinybean]

I'm so sorry that you have to deal with separation. I can't imagine that and how stressful that makes things. I hope Tinsley gets to come home soon and your BP gets under control.

[santoki77]

gilder40, have you taken home any of her blankets? If you do kangaroo care, ask if you can keep the blanket. It has her scent (and it's comforting, especially if you're trying to pump/breastfeed)

[gilder40]

May 12, 2015 17:29:53 GMT -5 santoki77 said:

gilder40, have you taken home any of her blankets? If you do kangaroo care, ask if you can keep the blanket. It has her scent (and it's comforting, especially if you're trying to pump/breastfeed)

This is a great idea! I didn't even think of that, and I'll have to ask tomorrow. Pardon my naivety, but what is kangaroo care?

I tried to breastfeed today, and she latched on like a champ!! They'll let me nurse once a day for now. They limit it because it burns more calories nursing than taking a bottle, and she needs all the calories she can get! It was amazing to see her latch and be so happy snuggled up eating. It just feels so natural and is such a bonding experience!

[santoki77]

Kangaroo care is also called skin-to-skin where the baby is only wearing her diaper and hat and you're wearing a tank top or button down. It's bare skin-to-skin contact. Helps regulate temp, heart rate and breathing as well as helps with the bonding experience. We've been trying/practicing breastfeeding the last day or so. He seems to know what to do and is really eager but his mouth is so small (he's a little under 4lbs) but it's do cute watching him try! We're trying 2x/day if we can and if I can't be there for both attempts,v they will try bottle feeding as, eventually, he'll need to learn for when I go back to work. Plus that's one of the requirements to be discharged, to be exclusively bottle/breastfeed (he still has a tube that goes down his nose to help him get enough calories). hang tough momma

[gilder40]

santoki77 Girl, we are in the same boat except Tins was a little further along and weighs a bit more. I wish I could nurse more, she's just lost so much weight and they want her to gain. It's crazy how amazing it is to feed your child and to have that bonding experience. Both our kiddos will get there!!

And I feel silly. I knew about skin to skin, I just never heard of it referred to as kangaroo care. Do you bring your own blanket to cover your little one with when you do it? Or do you just use a hospital blanket?

[santoki77]

We use both types of blankets, our own and the hospital. We received a set of cute receiving blankets (which we had to wash before giving to the hospital to use; we can use any "free and clear" detergent, usually in white bottles) and use them. They are rotated out when they're dirty. I use the hospital blankets when doing kangaroo care and keep them at home until the smell wears off and then I wash them (we have a small stack of hospital blankets at home now). I smell when pumping and keep on my pillow when sleeping.

[santoki77]

BTW if you FB, there if a preemie mom's group where you can vent, ask questions and get support. Be warned, some of the posts, etc. Get me a little weepy

[wormgerm]

You two have me crying over how sweet and heartbreaking your struggles are. @glider40 and santoki77 you guys are awesome. I admire you.