Happy Mother's Day!

We truly hope that all of our preemie moms have a wonderful Mother's Day!  Thank you for being so strong, caring and such a blessing to your child(ren).

 

Social Media

Don't forget!  Preemie Proud can be found on Facebook and on Twitter.  Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitters.  We would love to see you there!

Adorable Preemie Dress!

An adorable, short sleeve, preemie dress with matching bloomers!  Size: preemie 3-6lbs  Great dress for meeting family for the first time, first pictures, or going home outfit!  Quantity Limited!


http://www.preemieproud.com/preemie-dress-w-matching-bloomers.html   Check it out!

Hi everyone!  I know it has been a while since I have posted but we are back!!!  I love this new addition to our inventory!  http://preemieproud.com/blue-preemie-sleeper--tough-guy.html  







Quantitiy Limited!

Finding a pediatrician for your preemie

Bringing your preemie can be an anxious and stressful time.  However, it is very important to find a pediatrician that you are comfortable with and feel good about.  Here are a few tips:

*Ask your NICU doctor or nurses for recommendations.  Our NICU doctor was able to suggest someone that was currently taking new preemie patients.
* Your OB/GYN may be able to recommend someone as well. 
* Visit several pediatrician offices in your area and check them out.  Be sure to ask questions!
-Do they have separate waiting areas for sick patients and well patients?  If they do, it may help keep your preemie from getting ill when visiting the office since their immune system is under developed. 
-Will your child see the same doctor at each visit?  If the office has more than one professional that sees patients, you may be able to request that your child only seen by one doctor.  ( I did this with my child!  That way I had one person that was familiar with her and your needs.)
- Do they have after hours on call or answering services?  How long will it take to get a response from the office in case of an after hour problem or emergency? 
-Does the office provide referrals for early intervention programs or specialist when needed?

You must feel comfortable with the pediatrician office you select.  Be sure that you feel comfortable asking questions and comfortable that your concerns will be listened to.  You are the one that will see your child day in and day out.  You are your child's best advocate! 

I didn't forget you...

I know that it has been ages since I posted last.  Things have just been very hectic around the shop and I have not had time to get on our blog and catch up.  I do apologize!  But ...hopefully, I will be able to start posting again regularly.

Mason - this week's feature baby!

Here is Mason's story...

Mason was born at 29 weeks due to HELLP (H -- hemolysis EL -- elevated liver enzymes LP --low platelet count)


Mason was born September 3, 2010 weighing 1 lb 15 oz and 13 ½ inches long.  He spent 64 days in the NICU.

The doctors told me, Mason was breathing on his own when he was born and that they were amazed on how well he was doing. After 2 days the doctors put him on a ventilator because he was shaving quite a bit of trouble breathing. He was on that for 2 days.

Mason was on and off high flow oxygen his entire stay and had a PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) for a week or so.

I am truly blessed that Mason didn’t have any major complications and no surgeries. 

Mason came home on an apnea monitor because when the doctors looked at the pneumogram results, they were very abnormal, so he was put on caffeine. He was on the monitor for 3 months.

The hardest part about having a preemie for me was having other people I was close to being pregnant at the same time and not being able to take my little baby home.

Having to spend time in the NICU I look back a year and a half later realizing how lucky and truly blessed I was/am . Besides having a great and amazing outcome from this (Mason being healthy and growing rapidly) I also met some people there who I never would have met otherwise and they will be lifelong friends.

There are days that I look back and still get very teary eyed on how scary everything was during that time, I am friends with one of Mason’s nurses and she and I joke about me being a crazy mom. I called all the time and I had emotional break downs and got mad at the nurses and doctors. I blamed myself for my precious little one being premature, but the best advice the nurse ever gave me was to take a deep breath and to look at the miracle God gave me. To know that Mason is here to do something special and I know anything he sets his mind to he will conquer and succeed.

Trust me when I say it is okay to cry and be emotional.

I understand the NICU is probably one of the hardest things parents of preemies will go through, but remember you aren’t alone and to cherish the small milestones.

Mason is now 18 months old and he weighs a little over 21 lbs. He is walking all over the place and he is a little monkey. He can say about ten words and if learning more each day!