You get to meet your babies and learn about them so much earlier than most people do. Most people are so bleary eyed throughout the newborn stage that they don't get to remember much of it. Our kids will be little babies much longer extending the time you get to spend with your baby as a baby.
Hands on help while you recover from pregnancy and delivery! This one is huge! I was barely able to move and I didn't have to jump in to full time parenting while in pain. I know this seems really selfish, but I was on pain medications and the thought of dropping a baby because I was on a drug that I really did need, how horrible would that be?
They come home on a schedule. That hard work is done for you.
Every day you get to ask medical professionals any question about babies that ever occurs to you. I would be freaking out with confusion and "is this normal???" if I had gone home with a baby 2 days after birth.
They will actually teach you how to do things right. Like how to hold the baby for feedings and burps, etc.
You get to know exactly how much food, sleep, etc that your specific child needs in the weeks following release.
Just a few of the things that have occurred to me. I'll probably add more to the list, but the babies are probably waking up soon while I'm in the process of falling asleep.
Gratuitous baby pic!
I love your blog and updates. I just had my boy and girl tues morning at 34 weeks (water broke, c section soon after) and my kids are in the nicu. I get discharged today. Thank you for the updates, totally agree on the nicu benefits! Got me learning a pump ASAP too and my pump schedule is same as their tube feeding schedule. Love being able to relate to someone going through the same things. You are lucky they bottle and breastfed so early too!
ReplyDeleteJodi
And they are gorgeous by the way.
ReplyDeleteJodi
Having kids in the nicu isn't something I'd choose a second time around, but hells yes there are silver linings! It's best to look at it that way rather than take the self-pity route *which I admit, I did occasionally trek down*. They're beautiful, congratulations again!
ReplyDeleteHaha love the before and after!
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful Alex - I'm glad they're doing well. I'm terrified I'm going to screw up in my first few days too, having that NICU buffer is an advantage. Always a silver lining. ~Belle
ReplyDeleteI know this is an old post, but I feel like I could have written it!!! My boys were scary early, 29 weeks, but everything you said about the NICU is so true. They came home perfectly scheduled at 38 weeks. We had to wake THEM up to feed them at night, not the other way around! I say the idea of taking a brand new, no NICU time baby home from the hospital sounds WAY scary. Of course, I'd never want to do the NICU thing again, but damn was it better to heal from a c-section without babies to take care of at home! Bright side to everything!
ReplyDelete