So we begin our NICU journey....

[Janie]

The photos are a lovely idea . We also had toys that DS1 had given DS2 tied to his IV pole. DS1 also drew him a picture that we laminated, and stuck to the isolette . I think those things helped DS1 as well, I felt he got ripped off too, of that lovely experience that most have of meeting their new sibling.

Don't be afraid to ask for kanga cuddles. You will soon enough get to know the 'routine' of things, but in the meantime, if you're not sure, just ask. Sometimes staff can be really busy, and don't realise that you're waiting to hold your baby (when you get to that point). It sounds as though your milk is coming in well, which is tremendous. Breastmilk is so so important for premmies, especially micro-prems. Those kanga cuddles will help your supply even more . If you pump soon after, you may be impressed by how much more milk there is!

Do you know yet when you'll be discharged from hospital?

[Inanna]

Aaaah we had the toys too Janie... All in plastic bags hanging on iv poles! *trip down memory lane*...

[feeb]

Aww glad to hear things are going well! I got teary reading about your first kangaroo cuddle.

Keep up the good work with expressing, take care.
xoxoxo

[~me~]

Ahhh, so nice to read *sigh*. I hope things just getting more positive for you.
Congratulations on your precious fighting little girl...what a trooper she is.
So nice you already had your first cuddles..this is such a positive premmie story, thankyou for sharing with us
I look forward to listening to all your updates..these have already bought tears and smiles.
Take care Infinity.
I hope your little man is coping ok too.

[*Infinity*]

Thank you all again. The photos are a lovely idea, it would be great to have her big brother watching over her. I'm unsure if we're allowed to put any keepsakes or toys in her cot, but the nurse did mention to me that if we want to bring an iPod or recorder of some description along with stories that we read or music she might like, they'll happily pop that in with her too.

Janie - I actually discharged myself from hossy about 12 hours after she was born. She arrived in a big hurry and I was up and about fairly quickly, so my recovery has been very swift which has helped a great deal with my state of mind and being able to keep it together. Plus hospital is not a restful place for me - we needed to come home and re-charge.

I'm trying now to stay focussed on being healthy & strong, to get my milk supply on track and to keep our heads' above water. I've already outstripped what she will need in terms of EBM for the next few weeks at least - the tiny little possum is only taking 1ml every 4 hours.

It looks like tomorrow they will remove her arterial lines and insert a central line into her arm or leg which is quite distressing for me, but we'll see how the day goes. She is teaching us so much already about strength and fighting, we need to take her lead.

Goodnight all xx

[Early Kids]

Congratulations of the arrival of your darling girl.
Sending you guys all the strength needed for the coming months.

[Jennifer13]

Glad to hear Heidi is continuing to do well and gaining weight - clever girl! That milk must be well and truly doing it's job. You're a fabulous Mumma to be putting in all of this effort for your tiny girl. Take care of yourself where you can. Apart from DP, do you have any IRL support?

[jaspen]

Exciting to hear Heidi is doing so well. Try to take it easy on yourself and rest where you can. Enjoy those wonderful cuddles.

[*Beema*]

You are doing an amazing job hun.

It can be so hard walking away from their isolettes, when all you want to do is pick them up and cuddle them and be there with them every minute of the day. I was like leesa I found it a tiny bit easier to leave when DD was asleep, the most horrible time was walking into the nursery and DD sreaming her lungs out under the bili lights, completely nude, not even a nappy to cover her, it was just heartbreaking all I wanted to do was rip her out and hold her tight, but she needed to be there.

My pump sat next to me for over 12 months, and it really does become your "best friend", I even had a friend who was expressing at the same time and we would have "expressing sessions" and chat on Messenger, and it was so helpful to know that there was someone on the other end of a pump at the same time, it makes it a lot less lonely and can take your focus off it as well, to make things a bit easier if you are able get a second expressing kit/attachments, I found that those nights when you are really tired having a spare set - that you can get DH to wash for you, makes it a tiny bit easier

It is brilliant news that she is gaining weight, every gram makes a big difference and she is doing such an amazing job for a 25 weeker, next time you give her a lovely cuddle make sure she knows that there are a lot of guardian angels thinking of her and protecting her. I am so glad they got the central line in and that she is coping well with the changes it brings, and absolutely thrilled youa re enjoying some amazing Kangaroo cuddles, it is truely amazing how strong the healing and comforting powers of Kangaroo care can do.

Take care and I am glad that you DH is such an amazing support for you
xxoo

[Jennifer13]

Woohoo on the weight gain!! I am sending all the strength vibes I can your way, hun.

[ladybird11]

Aaaah we had the toys too Janie... All in plastic bags hanging on iv poles! *trip down memory lane*...

I remember the toys around the humidicrib, the blankets that used to be on placed over it to stop the light coming thru, sterilising the hands upon walking into the NICU / SCBU (everytime I smell that stuff it reminds me of those times....The top to toe baths, and by gosh I was good at changing a nappy while DD was in the humidicrib...

Most of all I remember the kindness of the nurses :-)