Micro Preemie Part 2

(little late but uploading this now to give you an idea of first week in Preemie parenting)

Mile Stones

To help others understand the difference of a full term baby and a micro preemie. This is what I know and what I have been told. This is not an official medical stand. The info for full term is pulled from this site http://www.whattoexpect.com.

1st week
Normal = By the end of this week, your little bundle of joy is a bigger bundle and is probably peeing and pooping like a pro. Those survival reflexes you've heard about are getting put to good use these days: Your baby is rooting, sucking like there's no tomorrow, grasping your finger, blinking, startling whenever there's a loud noise, crying, and even assuming the fencing pose. Your baby can focus on objects that are eight to 14 inches away now — just the right distance to see you during a feeding.
Our Micro = He may come off the ventilator but don't expect it to last. He has Strep B so he will be on antibiotics for the next 10 days. He may not tolerate feedings and will be heavily supplemented with IV's. His eyes are fused but he may open them by the end of the week. His heart has an extra valve that needs to close so he will be heavily medicated and fasting from feedings. This medication may not work and he could be looking at heart surgery. We can visit him any time except 2:30 to 4. We may not be able to hold him every time or even touch him. If we are sick or have allergies we can't see him at all until we feel better. He is a little petri dish and can pick up any bug that we wouldn't even know we have. We have to scrub for 3 minutes before even entering the NICU and if we get to hold him we have to wear a gown. All things brought in have to be cleaned and electronics (camera's & cell phones) have to be cleaned by special wipes at every visit. We have to use hand sanitizer every time we want to put our hands into his incubator. He will be asleep all the time and he needs to sleep as much as possible. His nervous system is not developed and easily overstimulated. You can't stroke his body without causing his system to freak out. So when you touch him it has to be constant and firm, cupping his head and feet to keep him contained.