"That boy is a rock star"

Barb, the head nurse that is in charge of all 50+ babies in the NICU, told us that Bean was a rock star.  We didn't realize this until we went to a discharge class, and everyone was expressing how things were not going very well.  Bean has been doing great.  So good as a matter of fact, that he is now living at our apartment.  That will change in a week when we move to our house, but that is just a technicality.  One senior nurse said she can only think of a few babies out of several hundred that were able to go home at 35 weeks.  We are happy that the driving has ended, but a little sad the sleepless nights are beginning.

There are several things to consider when dealing with a premature baby that are  little different than full term babies...

1. They have no immune system.  This means that if Bean gets sick, a visit to the hospital is certain (and that is best case scenario).  This is why we are discouraging visitors right now.

2. They don't have very much energy.  Just eating gets Bean exhausted.  Most babies eat until they are full, but Bean gets too tired to eat until he is tired.  Just holding him tires him out, and we want all those extra calories to go to weight gain (wouldn't that be nice if we all had that problem).  This is why we are discouraging visitors right now.

3. They like to have their hands by their faces.  No burrito wrap for Bean.

4. They can't be bounced or stroked.  They get soothed by just holding.

5. They have a hard time breathing.  Bean has to have his chin up and head straight, otherwise, he starts to have a hard time breathing and it takes a lot of effort (See note 2).

Even though you may not see us for two months, we can answer our phones, and we still like you.  We just need to be paranoid parents and make sure Bean has a good start to life.  Bring out the soap and disinfectant.