Bek, DS was 5 weeks early, and weighed 5lbs1oz. He wore 00000 for a long time (over 8 weeks), so she'll definitely need some of those. We used Huggies newborns for the first week, until changing to cloth. TBH, they were crap, and things were much better once we started using cloth nappies. If she's going to be using sposies, the yes, some premmie ones might be good.
It really depends on how her bub is. 35 weekers are often really good, and don't have to spend long in SCN, I hope that's the case for your friend's baby. If they are facing an extended visit, then things like meals delivered to home, washing done etc would probably be really helpful, as they'll be spending alot of time in hossy. Mind you, those things are really helpful when you're home with your baby too!!!
If I think of anything else I'll come back.
ETA Oh yeah, I can almost guarantee that she'll have BFing probs, especially if bub goes to SCN!
Just be there for her. Friendship atm is very important. Let her know even tho it is scary bub is only early by 14 days (fullterm 37 weeks). Give lots of hugs and a shoulder to cry on if she needs.
remember shes still celebrating a new bub, no matter the gestation.. so once bub is here, take flowers, balloons etc to make her feel like any new mum, which she is, she just has an impatient bub
as for material things.. things that would be nice are shower gels, shampoo, moisturiser, lip balm.
Thankfully bub was born without a hitch at 1.30am. A healthy 3kg baby girl who was named Maja Alekandra. She is doing really well but she has some feeding issues and won't attach properly. I think the ABA membership is a great idea and I will talk to her about that asap.
I have got a pack of things from friut to pads arranged. Her DH has been busy getting stuff for her and her mum is helping too...So really all I have to do is support her
So good to hear that bub is doing well. I agree on the ABA membership, and the help with cooking and meals for the freezer. And she might need the clothes to be on the warm side, (like bonds wonder suits) as my sisters premie baby was a very cold baby (born in Feb last year) and she was always rugged up. Hopefully she can take bubs home with her and they dont need any time in special care. 3kgs sounds good for 35 weeks!
My advice re the breastfeeding is don't let them do bottle for the suck feeds, and say a firm no to formula top-ups. Both of these will affect her supply. The baby even tho prem needs to learn to suck at the breast. And get her on the pump (the hospital should have one) inbetween feeds, especially if they do any tube feeding, use the EBM and not formula. The baby needs to be hungry for breastmilk, not filled up with formula.
I bluntly refused to give permission for formula for my 34 weeker (you actually have to give signed permission for this, yet most hospitals seem to skip that part!!) and I sat at the pump like a cow at the dairy LOL to have EBM for the tube feeds. Mind you I had to fight them sometimes cos she wasn't gaining like they wanted her to (pfft - she was 3.5kg already! LOL)
My advice re the breastfeeding is don't let them do bottle for the suck feeds, and say a firm no to formula top-ups. Both of these will affect her supply. The baby even tho prem needs to learn to suck at the breast. And get her on the pump (the hospital should have one) inbetween feeds, especially if they do any tube feeding, use the EBM and not formula. The baby needs to be hungry for breastmilk, not filled up with formula.
I bluntly refused to give permission for formula for my 34 weeker (you actually have to give signed permission for this, yet most hospitals seem to skip that part!!) and I sat at the pump like a cow at the dairy LOL to have EBM for the tube feeds. Mind you I had to fight them sometimes cos she wasn't gaining like they wanted her to (pfft - she was 3.5kg already! LOL)
Liz - they have already given formula without permission!!! grr They used the excuse that her blood sugar levels were too low. My friend is a little distressed atm regarding the feeding. I have spoken with her DH and he is going to call the ABA because he is very pro breastfeeding. I have suggested she start expressing and demand tube feeding with ebm...
Oh and if she is expressing to feed, I know it is hard, but dont let them (midwives etc) tell her not to worry about pumping in the wee hours of the morning. I know sleep is important, but she will need to pump at least once in those early morning hours to get her supply up.
My sister was told to sleep through, while my niece was in special care, and never managed to get her milk suppy sufficient enough to feed, but I was encouraged to feed at 3am to get supply up.
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