My premature baby arrived!

My baby arrived early at 28 weeks and weight only 1.13 kg, the labour happened so fast and before I know it, baby was born. I didn't feel much of contractions, I thought it was abnormal pain from my heavy tummy. People actually commended during my pregnancy that my tummy is big, a bit low and baby might come soon! After delivery, the hospital took a whole lot of examination to find out what trigger this early birth. They also advised me that 95% of premature babies survive, and they might develop other disablilty if not taken care of carefully. They found out there was a bug in baby's blood, and that's probably why she was born prematurely. Thinking back, I guess during this pregnancy, I got flu often, and one time diaherra for about five days, it lasted that long because the doctor wouldn't give me any medication as I was pregnant, and the same with the flu and cold. So I guess there're constantly bugs in my blood around month 5-6.

For my 1st baby who was born healthy, it was thinking more about how to educate her, and this time, I am thinking about survival, and wants to learn more about how to raise a healthy premature baby. As long as she's growing up healthy and normal, this is all that matters. More info about the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the ADHB website.


Other support:

Parent Care - 9th Floor Auckland Hospital (outside NICU)
Ph: 307 4949 wxtn: 25469
Email: prems@ihug.co.nz

They also host playgroup for NICU and SCBU babies, and Mums and Dads Evenings.

Internet Forum
www.everybody.co.nz
--> Communities -->Parenting --> Premature Babies.

TABS (Trauma and Birth Stress)
Email: sue@tabs.org.nz

Books to read with young children

Here's some recommendations from storylines, a Children Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand:






















A Book of Pacific Lullabies

My Maori Colours

How much sleep does your child need?

Good resources to share:

How much sleep does your child need?

15 months toddler

Time flies.... my baby is already 15 months old! The main thing that concern me now is her education, when should we start teaching her different things like manners, letters or numbers...etc. However I still think it's a bit young to teach her any of that, I'm more concern about what interest her? Saying what we're doing to add her vocaburary of the language, and just go along with her. And try not to say too many 'no' to her, instead use positive languages like teeth are for eating, not biting.

Another thing is health issues, babycentre has a good page on Toddler Symptom Guide that could refer to.

It's time to have a look at our home and possibly re-arranging it.

At eight months old, babies usually range from 25.25 inches long and 15.25 pounds (10th percentile) to 28.5 inches long and 20.5 pounds (90th percentile).

Once your baby starts pulling up on furniture, it's time to inspect your home for rocking chairs, recliners, and anything else on wheels or that's unstable. If your baby tries to pull up on an item that moves, shifts, or falls over, he can go tumbling (and the item can fall on top of him too). Block his access to these unstable items as much as possible using baby gates or simply move the item to a room that is inaccessible to your roaming baby.

- Parenting Weekly

My baby doesn't seem to crawl yet, she seems to be pushing herself backwards or sliding backwards instead of crawling, but heard from a friend that her baby didn't crawl and go straight to walking. She doesn't seem to drink much milk these days, and she starts to understand a few words, it's so exciting!

Outings

We went to the zoo the other day, yes, a 7-months old is a bit young for it and most of the time, our baby is either sleeping or feeding in her pram. We saw some seaseals, a hippo, elephant, zebra...etc, she didn't seem to comprehend much but was an experience. After the trip, I think next time for any outings, I'll take the baby carrier, I had a trial on the ergo carrier and it was good, it's more comfortable than the other ones that I got from Farmers which keeps falling down from my shoulders, and easier than the sling I got from trademe. I think it'll last longer than the other ones as well, it's well worth it. I also bought the bubba wrap, but I'm not very good at tying knots and my baby keeps sliding down for some reason.

She's a bit cranky these days, maybe the teething pain, and have a little problem sleeping too, the plunket nurse recommended just leave her crying to sleep, stay beside her but no eye contact to distract her to play, and wait until she get to sleep. I also pat her lightly to try help her to get to sleep. Just found a book called Teeth Are Not for Biting [Board Book] which is funny book to let baby learn to deal with sad, cranky feelings.

Reading to her is a good idea too, there're some free downloadable story books here, like Cinderalla, tortoise & the hare, sleeping beauty...etc.

6 months

Couldn't believe time flies, when I look at my last post, it was September! Was busy all these months with the baby, housework, looking for part time work...etc. I'm really enjoying motherhood now, as the baby is starting to learn things and I was more used to the routine and what to expect. She's well and picking up new things every day, it's delighted to see that.

About feeding, she seems to be less keen on milk and more keen on solids, I was doing her puree apple, carrot, banana and spinach. The plunket nurse suggest to add vegetables to help her digest better.

Still puzzling as the day care centre I'd like her to join is still on waiting list until April, still struggling to find time for work.

Found something good to start at 6 months: Tips for promoting speech & language development