Preemies..

I had my babies at 34 weeks, the spent 8 and 12 days in the NICU. The NICU ped told us to keep them away from people for 4 months.
They are 4 months today and although we have been outdoors taking them out for walks, we havent had many people around them.
My question is how does one go from being totally paranoid about being around people and germs to saying 'hey its ok now to be out in public now'.

How did you all make the transistion from keeping them away to the public ?

Thanks

 

I hope you get many responses from parents of preemies. I did not have preemies, but I can relate a little to the paranoia as we had H1N1 at 4 mos and after that I had a difficult time wanting to even see anyone. I was so scared. DH did not get it but the girls and I did - go figure. I guess part of it is realizing that you can take reasonable precautions but it is inevitable that they are going to get sickness, just a matter of when. It sucks when they are sick but when they come through it, it is a good feeling to know that their body worked properly to heal. I would think about it that way maybe? You have the clearance to get out in the world - you have to sooner or later so think of this as a new challenge. Hugs to you - I am sure you will get some great input.

 

I didn't have preemies(mine were 5 weeks early) but I also had them right at the H1N1 scare. I kept them at home and if we had to go the store I kept a blanket over them so no one could touch them(as people always seem to do). I was always so scared because we had two older children in school and we were afraid they would bring something home. It is scary to take them out into the world after having them in a 'bubble' but eventually you become more comfortable with it.

 

My girls were born at 28 weeks, and I remember when we got the "all clear" to take them in public and I had many of the same feelings you have. For me, it was baby steps, and I slowly emerged back into the world.

I also reminded myself that they NEED to be exposed to germs to help build their immune systems. It truly is a double edge sword. But you can't keep them isolated forever.

:hug: Momma!! Thankfully, it's Summer and not in the height of the cold/flu season.

 

My girls were born a month early and in Dec and we were told to keep them away from people. I started with taking them to church only until around May, then I started with taking them out daily for walks (which was as much for me as it was for them) and on small errands. I would occasionally take them to the mall and just push them around in the stroller just to get out of the house. Most of the things I did with them were just to get out type things. I would take them to places like Walmart very early in the morning before the big crowds hit.

 

Mine were born at 34 weeks too. My rule was you must wash your hands before you touch my babies! I kept this rule for the first year and I think it served us well. Oh and people needed to take their shoes off in my house because with the girls laying and crawling all over the floor, shoes in the house were just icky to me.

 

Ours were born during the height of H1N1 as well. They were 6 weeks early. We stressed handwashing as well. And our friends knew before touching they would do so. We never let our babies suck on our fingers and were quite outspoken if any relative thought it was cute to let them suck on theirs. A big No No in my books, way too many germs out there when they are that small. Also in public we would drape them with receiving blankets to stop people from peeking in. Lots of people would ask if they could see and then we would show them. Most people were really understanding about keeping their sick kids away from us, we also brought our own toys to places. Once they start putting everything in their mouths its hard to control the environment around them. My girls are sick right now with their first bad colds. And it is not fun. But as a PP said, they need the germs, eventually to build up immunity.

 

i had preemies, 33 1/2 weekers. you can take them out and go shopping and all that good stuff. for the most part, just the mere fact of being in public isn't going to expose them to much. physical contact is what communicates most germs, so just put your no-compromise face on and don't let anyone touch them unless they've washed their hands first. don't be afraid to step between them and the hordes of little old ladies that will want to pinch their cute little cheeks! :laughing:

 

I could have written this post a few months ago. In fact I think I did My girls were born at 32 week I kept them at home for the first 7 months of their lives. I was so paranoid we would end up back in the hospital. My Sofia was in the hospital for 9 weeks!! We started going for walks around the neighborhood first. Then we started venturing out to places like Sams Club and Walmart during the week and early in the morning. We pretty much take them everywhere now. We still wash our hands as soon as we get home I always carry hand sanitizer and I recently started carrying our grocery cart covers and clorox wipes in the car. BE PREPARED people will touch them before you can even move in for the block. It really freaked me out at first. Someone gave me some advice on here and told me this too would pass and before I knew it my girls would be licking the floor.... hmmm I thought yeah right .... but Abby actually licked the floor the other day ardon: ugh what do you do

 

Thanks for all your responses, its nice to know that what I am feeling is normal. Its hard as I feel some family members just dont understand my paranoia about the babies getting sick. My stomach lurches each time one touches them without washing there hands or using hand sanitizer, I feel I need to get body suits which say please wash your hands before touching me... Thank you again

 

Hi Sarah, I just had twin girls born at 34 weeks on 5/24. Our doc told us not to take them OUT anywhere public with ltos of crowds/people for at least 2 months and no big family outings. Like you I've had to "remind" my in laws to please WASH there hands before touching babies and we've limited visitors. ON top of it we have a small house which one carpeted area that serves as our family room and I have a 3 yo as well and I also insist on people taking off there shoes because my toddler is always on the floor. I always get the impression my inlaws think I'm a bit over the top but to be honest I don' tcare, the health of the babies is more important.

 

Well, I'm not sure there is an easy answer to your question. I had twin girls at 34 weeks and was told to keep them away from the general public for 2 mos. I still cringe when someone touches them without washing their hands first, we haven't left them with anyone other then my mom and mother in law, it's really tough!! I think slowly things will change as they start getting more and more independant. Lets hope anyway!! We knew from the beginning we'd make some people mad but we didn't care. We told the smokers to not smoke or they aren't holding them, etc. I think people really do understand, just try to be patient and things will get better and easier.