childcare for preemies?

ANybody got any advice for finding quality childcare for preemie babies? I am 30 wks along and in the hospital for PTL, not sure how long i'll be able to hold them in. Knowing that they may have health issues or special needs, I was wondering if there are resources that point you in the right direction. Or some key questions to ask nanny candidates to make sure they are equipped to deal with them. Much appreciated!

 

I think the first thing to think about is how soon after the birth you have to go back to work, not want to, but really have to. In a situation where the babies have serious health issues I think staying at home as long as possible yourself is probably the best strategy. Also think about doctor's appointments, possible medical emergencies etc. - would you be happy to have your nanny handle these, drive the children, make decisions, talk to doctor's and give you the information second hand?

If the children have serious health issues and are still very young when you go back to work I recommend looking for a certified nurse who has experience working with babies or an ex-NICU nurse as a nanny. I am not sure where to find someone like this, maybe nursing schools or the local NICU could help. Even an experienced nanny with a "normal" baby first aid/CPR certification would not be enough for me.

GL - I hope that you can keep your babies growing a little longer so they end up healthy!

 

While my babies were in the nicu I noticed that many of the moms that work went back to work right away. They figured the nurses were taking great care of the babies for now and they would rather take off work when the babies came home. If they do go into the nicu make sure you ask there for a list of daycare providers others have used they might be a great resource.

 

First of all congratulations on keeping them in! I went back to work while my babies were in the NICU and then took my 3 month leave when they came home. The NICU stressed to me that it was important to try to avoid daycare in the first year (if possible) because the babies can't handle colds as well as other kids. All kids are different but we had 27 weekers and by the time they were home and I completed my leave, they didn't really have any special medications or special needs. We did have a lot of medical appointments those first few months so it's really helpful to be home. Best of luck!

 

I would talk to the NICU staff. They would know who families before you may have used and/or have suggestions.

Or call the local visiting nurses association, check care.com, or talk to other preemie moms.


Mine came home on apnea monitors and multiple meds....so I would have had to had someone familair with both. I ended up staying home, the medical appointments and meds and surgeries that first year were high for us, BUT that was our situation and may or may not be an issue! (hopefully not!!!). My job at the time was not flexible and would not have allowed me all the time off I needed.

Also, talk to your future pediatrician, they may have resources or know nurses/former nurses that take care of preemies.

I know our area actually has a former nurse that does ONLY preemies (4 at most) from 0-8 months or until they can go into regular care. It is a fabulous option for parents of the local NICU that go back to work , but still need a low-germ, medical based childcare. Were we moved from also had a center based program for medicaly fragile/special needs kiddos. That was also near a major medical center and was a great option for kiddos that needed nurse monitoring, but could be in large group settings.

You will likely have to do CPR training if you have NICU graduate and/or your baby(ies) comes home on monitors or oxygen--- make sure your nanny/care provider has CPR (infant) training! Also go over what is/isnt ok for the nanny to do and that they are aware of signs of overstimulation, know the feeding schedule, etc.


GREAT JOB so far!

 

Due to jessys health issues we were advised to keep the girls out of daycare till they were 2. I was able to use this in a court of law for my divorce to gain alimony for that period

 

I am not sure how your leave works at your employer but I was only allowed 12 weeks off work. I was on bed rest at 24w and had the babies at 28w which left me with 8 wks off. I chose to spend the time at the hospital and learn as much as I could while I was there with him (we lost one). When he came we were lucky enough not to have any monitors or anything to deal with so I had a little less worry in that area. I did not have choice but to return to work because I carry the medical benefits. Of course all drs tell you to keep them out of germy daycare but some of us don't have a choice in the matter. So that being said we sent him to a home daycare, she only had like 4 kids at a time. We kept him there for the first year before moving him to a bigger facility. Good Luck to you. Going back to work it hard but do-able.

 

My girls were born at 31w0d, and spent 5 and 6 weeks in the NICU. I ended up hiring a nanny who had twin experience, but not preemie experience. But I work FT from home and I was always here. I would ask the NICU if they have any resource recommendations.

My girls were generally healthy, they were mainly in the NICU to feed/grow. And they came home in late spring, so we had all summer to gear up for germ season, and they also got their Synagis shots that first winter. But the nanny did not cost me anymore than daycare for 2 infants, so I never put them into daycare until they were almost two. And then it was for the socialization aspect, and I went 3 days/week daycare and 2 days/week with a sitter in my home.

ETA: I also went back to work 1 week after they were born. I wanted to work while they were in the hospital and take my time off when they came home. That's easier when you work from home, of course.

 

Reading all of your replies makes me feel so lucky. I live in Ontario, Canada and we are given 1 whole year to be with our babies. Of course, we take a 40% pay decrease during that time...but we are still paid and we are guaranteed to have our job once the year is up. Glad to be Canadian!