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cabin fever already

Katie87 - 10:40pm Jan 6, 2012 EST

Hey everyone;
I wanted to get some advice and opinions on when you guys decided it was safe to go to a store or somewhere with your preemies. When I do take her out I would carry her in a baby bjorn up against me where people could not get to her. I know right now it's pretty crazy to even think about because of RSV and Flu season and because she has not been home that long so I wouldn't dream of venturing out just yet. I feel like march is a good safety point?? We went to the eye doctor today to check up on her ROP and it was a huge spread out waiting room which I was thankful for. We had her covered like a blanket tented over her carseat. The nurse came out to dialate her eyes and the minute we took the blanket off a lady walks over to look at her... I was like man... She didn't try to touch her or anything but still it was like instant. I then asked to be put back in a room somewhere because I needed to feed her and the nurse thought I was breastfeeding I was like no I just didn't want to take her out and expose her to the waiting area. I know she thought I was a nut but oh well. Anyway enough of my story telling. I don't want to put my preemie in any kind of danger but at the same time I feel like I'm in prison and I can't see any of my friends and extended family. We made an announcement that only immediate family is allowed over. I may speak with the doctor and see if he thinks it would be ok to allow a friend over or family member over here and there as long as they are well and hands washed. My mom even went out and bought masks and gloves because she felt like she needed them on because she feels like so many people have colds and what not in her office... How paranoid and over the top should we be? Should I really fear something like what my mom fears which is; she feels fine and dandy and is around my daughter but then what if she woke up the next morning with a cold or other virus? I hope that makes sense... I appreciate any and all advice and opinions. Oh yeah and also; I have not talked to her pediatrician about this but my husband's parents have a woodstove; is it not a good thing to take her over there? If they leave the fan off on it I don't find it to be that bad but I'm not sure. The NICU nurses said to avoid it but I tell you what; I can't handle his parents plus his three sisters in our small apartment for weekly visits; it freaks me out. I mean his sisters are all adults they are not school aged or anything but it's just a small space... I think this covers my thoughts for now.

liz loschinskey - Jan 7, 2012 3:11 pm (#1 Total: 10)

I love my kids!

Hi Katie, been thinking about you and waiting for your next post!

I can't help you here. In fear of my daughter getting sick and hospitalized I kept her in the house until May/June'ish.

She came home in January and was back in the hospital in February due to RSV.

Oddly enough, we went to Emergency last night and she has pneumonia...YaY!

I'm extremely paranoid about germs and where I take Tori.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Love and light,
Liz

tucker'smom - Jan 7, 2012 6:11 pm (#2 Total: 10)

Mom to Tucker (27 weeker, 05/26/06)

Hi Katie,

Hmmmm, that is is such a personal decision to make, so I hate to give advice either way. Many preemies unfortunately have experiences like Liz's daughter, where even though you take every precaution, they still end up sick

Is there any way you can leave your daughter at home with someone for a few hours so that you can get out of the house? Maybe with your husband or mom? When Tucker came home we had full time nursing, so I was luckily able to get out for grocery shopping and an occasional girls' night with friends; this really saved my sanity!

Tucker didn't go with me to the grocery store for a long time, but I was lucky in that my DH hates grocery shopping and running errands so he was happy to stay home with the baby.

We took Tucker over to grandparents' houses very soon after he came home. People still mainly came over to our house, but it was nice to be able to take him somewhere else that you knew was safe (our parents were great about keeping things clean and everyone having their hands washed before we came over), and where you didn't have to clean the house or anything.

For the doctor's appointments, you can explain to the nurse that your daughter is a preemie and needs to spend almost no time in the waiting room. I'm sorry, I don't remember how early she was, but more most mircropreemies, this is standard practice. Once I had a receptionist tell me I couldn't go to the back, but I took Tucker anyways. When the dr. saw us, she had the room all ready for Tucker, the receptionist just didn't know the rules.

I admit that I know moms of micropreemies who did both-waited years to take their babies out, and others who took them out to safe places pretty soon. Time will tell how your baby reacts; hopefully she won't be sick all the time, but you don't want to learn the hard way. Just try things out slowly at first, and maybe with success try more places.

Good luck, please keep us updated!

Leigh

NathansMom13 - Jan 8, 2012 3:45 am (#3 Total: 10)

Come to ShareUnion 2012: It's the BEST weekend ever!!!

Hi Katie, It's a fine line between wanting to be neurotic in keeping her healthy and maintaining your sanity. My advice is to do whatever makes you most comfortable. When Nathan was little we avoided a lot of people because I knew they wouldn't be honest about their health status.

Before we went anywhere I asked how everyone at the location was feeling, and we never went to parties (parties increased the chances that someone would show up sick without knowing how nuts it would make me). We would only go to family or friends houses with the understanding that there would be no hard feelings if someone (on either side) cancelled at the last second due to illness/just not feeling well.

Most of all, you need to take care of you. If you are getting cabin fever, I did also, go out. Go somewhere, just get out of the house. It's unreasonable to expect to spend all winter in the house and still maintain your sanity. Have friends over, just make sure they know how important it is for them to be in perfect health before they walk into your house.

Most of all, remember that no matter how perfect and meticulous you are in keeping only healthy people around her, she will get sick eventually. It will be OK because you're a great mom who will have her at the Dr before she finishes her first sneeze

Trust your instincts, if it feels wrong don't do it, if it feels OK - go ahead and give it a try.
Laura

Katie87 - Jan 8, 2012 4:17 am (#4 Total: 10)

Thank you all once again for your advice and help. Luckily my husband is off this week and I will get some free time. We or I rather don't feel comfortable leaving her with either set of our parent's just because she is on the monitor and none of them know CPR. Not that my husband and I are certified either but we did take a class. My husband lets me get out here and there. I guess I'm just dying to go and do things with her but I would rather keep her safe; I know I will have plenty of time to do things with her once RSV season is over but in moderation as I know she still will not be out of the woods. How long is it considered I guess dangerous for her to get a cold? Years or what? Anyone out there know? Hope everyone is well and God Bless you all; you all have been a great help to me; I look forward to my internet time so I can get online and have discussions with you all.

esgf - Jan 9, 2012 1:32 pm (#5 Total: 10)

Abigail's Mom (29 weeks, 3/21/05)

We had Abigail during the spring and while it was not RSV sesason they still advised her to keep her away from people. It was at least two months before we took her anywhere indoors that wasn't our house but we did take her for walks outside (we figured the germs would be somewhat disperse (plus we were going crazy and we didn't know anyone in the neighborhood so no one tried to touch her). We honestly made up errands to get out of the house but we did feel better about her. Good look and as the others said it is really about your comfort level at this point b/c sometimes they just get sick anyways....

Good luck.
Ellen

Isabella Bug - Jan 9, 2012 3:39 pm (#6 Total: 10)

Hi Katie,
Congratulations on bringing home your daughter - how exciting! We brought our daughter home in August of 2010. Our NICU drilled into our heads that we should not bring her out for the first 2 years!! We did bring her out for walks everyday - even in the dead of winter. We felt comfortable going to outdoor places with her like the park or the beach. But we avoided the library, supermarkets, museums...or any place that small children frequent. It was difficult for me because I was ready to show the world my baby...I desparately wanted what most new moms get - the oohing and ahhing over a new baby. But alas, it was not meant to be that way. We have been fortunate in that she has been healthy for the most part. But it is making this year slightly more challenging. While we are trying to adhere to the 2 year "rule", it is becoming more difficult as she gets older. The healthier she stays, the more lenient we become in bringing her out into the world. Our pediatrician has assured us that she is strong enough to handle an illness, but those early NICU days haunt me and the fear still lingers. Ultimately, my experience has been to trust my instinct and not be afraid to leave a potentially dangerous situation. This means that I have had to let go of what other people might think, ie: that crazy mother:) Only those who have been in our shoes truly understand.

Katie87 - Jan 9, 2012 11:14 pm (#7 Total: 10)

Hello; Wow two years! I bet you are anxious to show her off. I told my husband today that we will definitely be cautious when taking her out and we don't plan on doing that for a while. I figured I would keep her snuggled up to me and not in a stroller if I needed to go to a store and I would just plan my day to go early and not on weekends. I have so many concerns and the NICU did not really tell me a time limit on when I could take her out other then they stressed RSV season is not a good time. I plan on staying home with her as long as I can so she does not have to be in ANY kind of childcare. Well better go; my inlaws are over holding the baby for the first time. I have much more to chat about and appreciate the advice

Take care and glad to know your daughter is doing well

HOLLYK108 - Jan 26, 2012 8:00 pm (#8 Total: 10)

It hurts to miss out on those little victories like having your preemie out in public. I was told by my ped that March was ok for my son (no holidays, no meeting little cousins etc). But I chose to have him in until June.

Katie87 - Jan 26, 2012 10:11 pm (#9 Total: 10)

My pediatrician said absolutely no little kids touching her! I have four cousins that are between 10 and 14 that are dying to hold her! They do understand though that they have to wait

It's going to be a while before I take her around a big group of people for sure but when march comes around I will venture out more and more. I will play everything by ear I guess

Hope you are well

HOLLYK108 - Jan 31, 2012 9:43 pm (#10 Total: 10)

Do whatever YOU are ok
with too! I know after my son was ok to go "out". People tried to push me into doing things I knew were not as safe. Such as, taking him to a big family wedding, I compromised and took him to the shower. Less people in one room and no kids got to hold him that day. Just made it more comfortable for me. Also, clean your hands and make sure others do too. That helps,I know.

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