Did you keep your twins in exclusively during the first year?

We were planning on keeping the twins in and going no where till after RSV & flu season were over except for normal appointments for the twins...but this is tough! I have 5 other children and we aren't even doing the normal things like going to look for shoes or the library..not even church, we are taking turns taking the other children. I mean I am not talking running around just to do so, because we don't. I worry they will have further weakened immune systems if they aren't exposed to just normal things. They both get the RSV shots, and are on poly-visol vitamins...what did you all do those with preemies. They are now..13lbs & 11lbs 13oz

 

I don't have any experience with preemies, but I did not keep my twins home for the first year. They were born Feb. 3, and we had them at Target Mar. 3. Of course, that was in a pre-H1N1 world. What does your pediatrician say?

 

Mine were born at 32 weeks and had to get the RSV shots. We did the best we could without taking them out too much during cold/flu/RSV season. Meaning we would all go to BRU and then one of us would sit in the car with the babies. But, I am sure that we didnt stay in all the time. I would have gone crazy. I would say after their 40 week due date we were more lax.

 

Mine weren't preemies either, but I never kept any of my babies home. We were out & about right away, taking normal precautions like washing hands, avoiding large crowds, etc. Does your doctor recommend staying in?

 

Doc hasn't said one way or the other.. we just told them that was what we were doing because again that was the original plan.. but we want to be able to do things as a family as well. We don't get around large crowds per say..but would like to mainly attend church as a family again!!

 

I kept mine in for the first 3 - 4 months. Mine were born at the end of October though. I know I joined weight watchers in Feb. when they were about 4 months old and I brought them with me to the weekly meetings and I also started putting them in the gym daycare around that same age.

 

I also didn't have small preemie's, my oldest son was born in feb, as were the twins, and my oldest dd was born in sept, and we had all of them out shortly after birth.

My oldest was in the nicu for a week and on the way home, we stopped at mcd's for lunch, and went to church the following sunday. My dd we went to walmart 2 days after we got home because she was so big all the newborn clothes I had for her were too small, we had to go buy a whole new wardrobe and I didn't trust dh to get them for her! We stayed home a little longer with the twins only because I was breastfeeding, and ended up with a bladder infection from the c/s, I was in so much pain I couldn't even walk up and down the steps to my house.

I think you're best bet is to ask your ped what you should do. Your babies are still pretty small so he may recommend you limit contact, but I also don't see the harm in going to church or to the store once in awhile, if you feel safer you can take hand sanitizer with you and ask everyone to please use it since your babies were premature.

 

I am in the same boat kinda. Mine are 2 months old and its killing me sitting at home. Mine were born at 34 weeks and we are getting ready to start the RSV shot. However that Synagis shot doesnt PREVENT RSV just helps lessen if they do get it. I have been out with mine. Not every day and I dont let people touch them and look at them and all that. I keep a blanket covering their carrier when we go some place. I have to take at least 1 with me because I dont have someone to watch them just so I can go to the store.

My pedi said he recomends keeping them in the 1st 2 months. After that it was my choice and to take every precaution I can. With Christmas coming up and the holidays, its hard to stay at home when theres things to do and what not.

 

I did not have preemies and my twosome's b-day is in late December. I think, other then going to the pediatrician, we kept them in the first 8 weeks. I think your best bet is to also ask your pediatrician and if you do decide to go out, bring anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizer. If you are visiting family or friends ask them to wash their hands before they handle the babies. Good luck!

 

I know people who've put "do not touch us, we are very small" signs on the stroller too. It may be a bit off putting, but if it makes it easier to get out without worrying, I say go for it!

 

That's a tough one since so many people are sick right now and they are still so little. I would probably still be really trying to do my best to limit the outings, and be really cautious(lots of hand washing, no carts, no contact with non-washed hands, etc).

:bow2: for staying home this long!! :hug:

 

Mine weren't preemies, but We kept them home, aside from doctors visits, for the first 6 weeks. They have also been home, per the peds advice, since the end of September due to H1N1 concerns. Not taking them to Church has been really hard, but until they have their flu shots, I figure it's better for them. We still go on walks, and every now and then we'll take a ride, and we took them over to a friend's house for halloween.

I do agree though, it drives you kinda crazy!

 

As far as handwashing.. you have no idea!!! We have been like that since they were in the NICU!!!! I mean I have anti-bacterial soap everywhere and hand sanitizer for while we are out.. I own stock in Lysol :good: We as a family don't even go to church when we find out there are people sick.. so as for being cautious that is an understatement!! We just want to be able to do some things if we want.. so we have been doing lots of praying and we are actually heading to the doc tomorrow so I will be asking more questions...we have been battling a cold/or H1N1 (that is what I really think this is) for a few weeks now in our house!! And that STAYING HOME!! Actually we think we got whatever it is going to the docs for routine vaccinations :headbang:

 

Sorry everyone is sick! Mine were 34wkers and we kept them home pretty much until I went back to work (12wks) and they had to go to daycare. They got the synagis shot but I don't think we will (or even qualify) for it this year. It drove me nuts but DH and I did go out on dates, but it drove me batty that I didn't have my beautiful babies to show off!!! I was taking them shopping with me once a week on my days off but I have cut back bc of H1N1...we went today for the 1st time in prolly a month!

Good luck with your decision. Does you church have a nursery you could sit in?

 

My boys were born in Sept, came home in Oct from NICU, and we didn't leave the house until just before Thanksgiving. They were getting the RSV shots too (and they actually came to our house to do it). December we spent at my parents house and we would go out occasionally, but I made sure people didn't get too close or touch them. If we went to a restaurant, I'd stash their carriers in the least conspicuous part of the table. My DH was deployed from when the boys were 3 months till 5 months so I didn't really have a choice about staying home. FWIW, my boys didn't get sick until they were 16 months and we had done a flight to Chicago.

 

I know how you feel. Mine were born at 28 weeks and are getting RSV shots every month until February. They are growing really well, and knock on wood, we haven't had any major illnesses yet. I just took them for their 9 month check ups yesterday, and boy, was I nervous sitting in that doctor's office. There were tons of kids coughing and sniffling. We have been really careful with Andy & Will. We take them on short little trips to the grocery store or Target, but only during slow times when there aren't lots of folks there. We have had a few friends and family over to our house, but no kids yet. We really hate that part. We have close friends will small kids and babies that would love to come by and visit, but most of those kids are in day care. And I just won't risk it yet. Not until the boys turn one.

Our house is still full of antibacterial gels and soaps. Our hands are dry and almost raw from washing and gelling. I have a small thing of antibacterial gel in every corner of our house, cars, etc. I just keep thinking only a few more months to go. Plus we are trying to incorporate little things into our life as the months pass. Like the boys just had their baptisms at church. That was a big hurdle as I was so afraid of them getting sick after that. And this past weekend, we took the boys to a friends street party. I figured since it was outside and we weren't going to let the boys be passed around, we were fine. Well all of that was fine, but the mosquitoes were our biggest problem :angry: We had to leave the party early when we notice the boys had become the main course for all of the stupid mosquitoes.

We just have to hang in there., work in new things from time to time to let the 'stir crazy' feeling not take hold too much, and soon we'll have a somewhat normal existence for our little growing preemies

 

Their doctor told us that after their 4 month shots they were free to go anywhere. Before that she wanted us to stay away from shopping malls and stuff like that only because it was flu season. She encouraged us to take them for 15 minute walks everyday.

 

I can imagine you are going stri crazy!!
One of the conditions of us being discharged from NICU was that we had to keep them inside because of how cold it was last January. When the girls were 6wks old (2wks actual) we were able to take them ut for walks for fresh air but stil no supermrakets because of the aircon. I think there 1st shopping trip was at 5months old. They are big and strong now but still pick up any germ going i'm afraid.

 

Oh No. We would NEVER have kept them in for a YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've never even heard of that!

Nope. We did whatever, whenever. (IF I thought they wouldn't have a melt down)

I am not a germaphobe so I wasn't scared AT ALL of them getting ill. I am of the mind that, if it happens, it happens..

I think it would be MUCH more detrimental to ALL OF US if we stayed in at all.

UGH. I am the opposite of a homebody and so are my boys.

I would recommend using common sense but NOT staying in like that. No way!

 

Yes, but common sense these days is staying put, especially with little ones.

It's obviously up to you and I didn't have to deal with the H1N1 virus, preemies or babies born during these chillier months but I would be cautious about where I was going. It is hard to be stuck at home for a long time but it would be even harder to be stuck at home with sick babies. :hug:

 

From my experience with friends who've had preemies, most kept them in for a really long time ... at least 6 months. I think there is a bit of confusion, because having 35 weeksers is VERY different than having 29 weekers. Those of us with full term babies (or close) wouldn't be expected to stay home. My friend had 27 week triplets, and didn't take them out except to the doctor for a year. And she wouldn't even let people over her house without wearing one of those doctors masks. That may have been overkill (I'm not sure) but I just think that preemies are a different ball game.

Honestly, as much as it would suck, I would keep them home as long as I could. Especially with this crazy cold/flu season. But definitely talk to your doctor, they should be the final decision maker (assuming you like the decision).

ETA: I didn't answer your question! I kept mine home for 2 months, with no visits from other kids. And mine were born at 36w3d.

 

With them being preemies we have kept them in pretty much exclusively except for the doctors. We have only ever taken them to walmart once and it was too many people getting close and that was this summer..so we choose not to do that anymore. We don't take them grocery shopping and plan to continue that way.. Basically we just want to be able to take them to church and maybe once in a blue moon just out..We are going to talk to the doc today and just see what they say. Again we are so cautious anyway..we sanitize beyond what any normal family would. I won't even let anyone wear the same clothes even if they are clean..if you have been out of the house in a public place then the clothes get washed!! and you have to change as soon as you get in the house. Thanks for all the comments~!

 

I'm going through some of the some debates as my boys are also getting Synagis and were born at 28 wks. However, we do go out and I take them places, I just make sure that no one touches them--except my friends who have washed their hands. Personally I don't think just taking them out to the store or even church is too much of a problem--If no one is touching them and you are santizing your hands regularly, they can't really catch anything just being in the air (as long as it is not crazy packed). GEtting them out and about is good for them (again IMO) and gets them fresh air--my boys love it.

I ahve to say that I am terrified of them getting sick too, but they have already gotten colds once and had a fever once (caught from my DH even though we are being so careful!) and are doing fine. My hardest thing to overcome is taking charge and just telling people that they must clean their hands before they hold my boys---that is what you have to be strong about and just telling people they are preemies and you prefer people not to hold them right now! It's been tough for me too!!

 

Staying in the house FOR A YEAR is common sense 'these days'?

I disagree with that. Completely.

I guess if I had babies w/ suppressed immune systems, I might stay put until their due date. No way would I be housebound for a YEAR!

That is NOT "common" and it is not "sense" even if it is h1n1 madness. I think it's sad that everyone is afraid to leave their homes. And not just peeps with preemies. LOTS of people I know IRL are quarantined and it's odd to me.

It goes without saying that "you" and "they" and "everyone" can do what they want. The question was asked and I answered. Just like everyone else did.

We are all entitled to do as we see fit.

I respece what EVERYONE does, totally. I am just answering the question the best way that I know how. Personally, I wouldn't/didn't/couldn't stay home. It makes me crazy! LOL.

 

I tend to agree w/ this. I am by no means a germaphobe and am a firm believer in building resistance naturally, BUT...I really am limiting our public trips quite a bit this winter. People are so drawn to twins - having to peek at them - and they very often lack common sense in terms of personal space. Just the other day we were out for a walk in our local downtown community and stopped in a toy store briefly. A percoscious little girl (2-ish?) saw the double stroller, screamed "BABIES!!!!!!", ran over and promptly stuffed her head in both carseats. And I mean IN their faces. Ugh. There's only so much you can do to keep people at bay and I'm amazed at how many parents are out and about with kids they KNOW are sick!! Not cool.

We still get outside for fresh air, but I'm opting to do my errands on weekends or after the babies go to bed as much as possible. Yes, they may still get sick, but at least I feel I've done what I can.

Hang in there!!!

Eve

 

I don't think it's being paranoid in the least to keep your babies at home. I think that it's hard for those of us who had full term (or close to it) babies to know & understand what it means to have preemies (especially born as early as 29 weeks). I definitely would have done whatever needed to be done to keep my babies healthy and if that meant staying at home, I would have done that. And with this year's flu season being unusual & unpredictable, I would probably have erred on the side of caution. That is not paranoia, in my opinion, it's just protecting your kids.

 

I agree that staying inside is smart. However, I think church or other small outings would be okay. My DH and I were so scared to have the babies out and about. Ours were born at 36 weeks, but were very small(4lb'ers). What finally changed our mind was when I caught a stomach virus HE brought home. He's a teacher. It was terrible. I was terrified the babies would catch it. They never even noticed. I also partially breastfeeding, that gives me peace of mind, b/c I know they are getting some anti-bodies.

 

Everyone definitely has to do what they're comfortable with on this issue, even those folks with happy, healthy full term babies. It's very hard for folks who didn't spend 10 weeks by your babies' bed sides in the NICU, having to scrub up, put on a paper gown and make sure your were not endangering your tiny little 2 lb. babies with germs, etc., then bringing those babies home with apnea monitors hooked up to them to make sure they don't stop breathing, having to take classes at the NICU that would scare the you-know-what out of anyone taking home a preemie...if you haven't been through all of that, then it is definitely hard to see the point of view from someone who has.

12 months, 6 months, 9 months...you have to do what's sensible to you as a parent as far as keeping them in. I know for our situation, I have doctors and nurses advising us to be cautious. We have a home health nurse come to our house every month and give them the Synagis shots for RSV, and she always stresses how important it is to keep them away from crowds, etc. She always has bad stories to tell of babies she is seeing getting RSV and going into the hospital. She just told us last week that the pediatric NICU at the hospital where the boys were born is at capacity because of respiratory illnesses. Our pedi says that we should exercise caution, but not feel like we have to be locked up all the time. I have friends and family members telling us all the time about preemies they have known who either got really sick or died from taking them to church, grocery stores, the mall and on and on. I hear it all.

I have to take all of that advice and translate that into what I think is best for all of us. My little monkeys aren't tiny fragile little things anymore, far from it, but when the folks with the big fancy degrees tell me to be cautious, I heed their advice. At the same time, I try to gradually start incorporating 'life as normal' things like going to the store when it's not full of people, taking the boys for walks in the park, going to outside events with them, having new friends over from time to time. You can't stay locked up all year, you'll go insane, but don't let anyone make you feel like your going overboard by being cautious with your preemies. Just my two cents! :ibiggrin:

 

I couldn't do that, either. I'm in the we're going out crowd. I've had a few people try to touch them, but most people are pretty conscientious. Now, a stranger did ask my MIL (I was in a different part of the store) if they could hold one of the babies- she replied that I'd never let her take them out again! :thanks:

If they come in contact with someone, I just get out a wipe and wipe them down or if someone I know is going to hold them (or groups) we bust out hand sanitizer and ask that anybody not be ill.

My parents are coming out for Thanksgiving and I did talk with them about flu shots, though, b/c people who have the nasal mist are effectively carriers for the H1N1 for 21 days, but they got their shots a few weeks ago. It wouldn't have bothered me so much, but they will be staying with us for a week, so that's pretty close proximity.

My babies weren't preemies, but I would say that once they hit their original due date, you should be pretty good to take them to church with you and keep them in the service sitting with you... afterall, anybody who gets exposed in your family will be contagious before they are symptomatic.

Good luck & stay healthy!

Michelle

 

Very well put, Frosty! :good:

 

Ours weren't preemies (born at 37w6d) but they were born in January so we still kept them in the first 8 weeks. This year we're being careful but not overly so; we're taking them to church, etc. If they had been preemies, we would be on lockdown during flu season though (but not the whole first year unless their pedi recommended it).