Taking bub home

[principessa76]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if bub does come early then what's the earliest it can be born and you'll be allowed to take it home with you?

I know it will have to do with the development of its sucking reflex and breathing etc but I was curious as to some of your experiences. Also if your bub was born prem how long did it have to stay in hosp?

TIA

[MummyDuck]

I have heard a generalisation that a premmy baby is usually taken home around the time that it would have been born if full term (38-40 weeks) as long as there are no complications with breathing, feeding or organs abd they aren't severly jaundice needing light therapy or anything like that.

[Tobily]

My DD was born at 36w2d - I took her home three days later the same as a full term bub.
She was a good weight at 7lb3oz, had no breathing issues and feeding well so there was no reason for us to stay.

My best friend had her son at 35w and he stayed for two weeks - his sucking reflex wasn't developed properly and it took until 37 weeks before he would feed well enough that they were able to take him home.

It really does depend, there are even some babies born at 37 weeks - which is technically term but on the early side - that have breathing and feeding issues and need longer in hospital than my 36w DD.

[luckymum2]

Hi Principessa,

My DD was born at just on 35 weeks and we went home about 5-6 days later. She started feeding after 2 days on her own so they were happy with her progress and her jaundice was minimal...