We have reached the 35 week Gestational Age mark which means the babies are eligible to come home! However, there are still just a few things that need to happen first. Remember I mentioned a while back that they must be able to maintain temps and suck, swallow, and breathe on their own.
Their real age is 51 days. Thursday they were 7 whole weeks! Wow.
Harper weighs 3 pounds 13 ounces and is bottle feeding 2 times per day! The other 6 feedings are still being tube fed.
Once they both reach 4 pounds, which will probably be by tomorrow or Monday, the babies will be moved into an open crib and nurses will see how they maintain their own temperatures as they will have to do when they get home. Also, feeding should move the the "ad lib"phase which means as often as the nurses see fit. I filled out a set of discharge papers for both of them on Friday to have ready so that there is one less thing to worry about when the doctor says it is ok to take them home!
Nick and I have changed diapers, fed, learned to successfully burp them ( which feels so rewarding) , given baths, and asked lots of questions we might need to know such as how often do they poop and how often do we take their temperatures once they come home. While I was pregnant I was flipping through "What to Expect When Expecting" daily... I may need to go and pick up "What to Expect in the First Year."
What are some good baby books that you mommies have found helpful? Are there any - or should I just let good parenting skills come naturally ;)
Here are a couple of good shots!
My parents, Moomps and Pa, holding the babies for the first time and one of them in their bed; look at Harper's bright eyes and how huge the pacifier looks compared to her tiny face!
6 comments:
I LOVED the Girlfriends books. You would need Girlfriend's Guide to the First Year. All of the info from What to Expect with humor to boot.
My only advice is to follow your instinct. You are the mommy. You know your babies. The more you follow your gut, the stronger your intuition will be.
I have to be honest in that I didn't read much and still don't. So many books say so many different things that it is all too easy to get confused and overwhelmed. I did however use ..what to expect the first year... as a reference sometimes. I also called my sister and other friends! I feel certain you are a natural!
I don't think I read anything that was as helpful as having friends who had babies just a few months older than mine. They are in the middle of it, just like you are, but have already found things that work (and don't). My pediatrician was also super helpful in letting me know what was normal at specific ages.
I love how much they look like Silas - they are filling out and definitely have the newborn look.
I read them all, Laura, and by the time I was finished, my babies had grown up!
Seriously, read whatever your friends recommend and glean what feels right to YOU from that. Don't ever allow the printed word to take precedence over your gut feeling.
The best piece of advice I ever got was when I was totally stressed out over potty training. The pediatrician said, "If he makes it to the first day of kindergarten in diapers, he won't be wearin' 'em the next day."
;-)
They are beatiful, and I can tell they are growing. You are a great mom, and I know you can't wait to get those girls home and start practicing your skills:)
Books are nice for reference but trust your parenting instincts. They will always serve you best.
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