Okay... truth? I could probably write a novella about the things you should enjoy about your tiny baby, but here are just three that pop into my head. There are a lot of scary, not-so-fun things about caring for a child who is just so itty-bitty. But here a few things to enjoy:
- Getting your money's worth: You will actually get a lot of use out of newborn size clothes. Let's face it- everyone loves those tiny little outfits and most parents end up buying at least a couple of them for their full-term infant. But, by two weeks old, they're useless for most full-termers. Your preemie will put them to good use!
- Super-portability: While all the gear that often goes with your preemie can be heavy, your actual baby won't strain your arms... or back. Nursing will not involve juggling and balancing a large infant; preemies tuck in there nicely. :)
- Looking exceptional: You may well have to wait a little longer than most parents for your child to hit all those "milestones". But when your child happens to do one of these things, he or she will look incredibly precocious. When C. rolled over at four months, that wasn't really anything exceptional... except, with her age corrected, she was a newborn and she only weighed 6 1/2 lb at the time. She appeared to be nothing short of amazing! And it was pretty incredible to watch this itty-bitty child move around like that. (For the record, the only reason she learned to roll so early is that she was FURIOUS that we were putting her on her back to sleep; in the NICU, she had been allowed to sleep on her tummy and she much preferred it. Still does.)
Love this list! Another thing, when you have a preemie you get to have a baby for alot longer. They stay little so much longer!
ReplyDeleteWhen your preemie gets a little older and starts talking but is still so small, it's amazing to see people's reactions that such a small baby is talking! Makes the baby look like a genius!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. My Eli hasn't slept more than 45 minutes since coming home from the hospital on 9/12!! Finally, he managed to flop over (6 weeks adjusted age) and he slept for 5 hours!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy guy was a 27 week, 1 lb. 13 oz. wonder baby. Born 7/2/08 and he certainly loves to sleep on his tummy!!!!
Arden
mama to 8
ALSFelts@aol.com
Seriously, they get totally spoiled about tummy sleeping in the NICU! My now 15-month-old 30-weeker still tummy sleeps.
ReplyDelete(And yes, he rolled at 4 weeks adjusted, in the doctor's office for his checkup!)
My 29 weeker, now 22 months, would only sleep on his belly too, but we just caved and let him sleep on one of our chests all the time. I guess we should've made him roll on his own.
ReplyDelete