She is currently laying in the pack n play next to our bed, sucking away at a pacifier and making cute little preemie grunting noises.
We spent the entire day at the NICU learning about the monitors and getting things ready. Before we brought her home Greg decided we should take the opportunity to have one last 'date'. So we went to dinner, though I didn't really think about much besides getting back to the NICU to pick her up and see Elijah.
We got back to the NICU and fed both of them, gave Eli his bath and got Hazel all set in her car seat. It was really difficult to leave Elijah there:( He is doing so well though, even off his IV today b/c he is taking quite a bit of formula now. They may move him to the Pediatric floor tomorrow so that we can bring Hazel in to see him. We'll see, though.
I have been nervous for awhile about how our dogs would react to babies....now we know that they are super curious, a bit pushy and wanted to get in Hazel's face, but all-in-all not too bad. They have been whining since we came upstairs (they are not allowed up here), I think they want in on the action. There was a bit of barking when Hazel started crying, and when the monitor went off, but I expected it.
So, hopefully our first night will be a good one with at least a little sleep. We have our first appointment with the pediatrician in the morning, so hopefully our first outing will go well.
Oh, and related to my pumping lament-now my nipples are cracked and bleeding and the LC thinks it might be yeast. Which has also meant that my supply has tanked, yet again. WONDERFUL! I've called my dr and am waiting a prescription. I am going to give it at least another week, but damn I am so ready to give up!
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9 comments:
Congrats on getting your beautiful little lady home! I hope her brother follows her soon! Sorry about the breastfeeding/pumping situation going down hill. :( that really sucks. I don't know why some things are so damn hard for some and so easy for others, but you deserve some easy by now! You're in my thoughts!
I found hand expressing much easier and a lot less painful. I don't know if u have it there but Lansinoh nipple cream is the best thing ever! It works really well on nappy rash too. X
Welcome home, Hazel! I hope Elijah continues to do well and heads home soon!
So happy she's home and that Eli is doing so well! How was the first night? Hang in there on the pumping thing, I hope it gets better!
Demand that your doctor prescribe this thing they call affectionately "triple nipple cream." It will help heal your cracks, I swear. You may have to go to a special pharmacy to have it made up, but it works. Also, if you are having too much blood come out while pumping (I just had this problem when my little guy bit me too hard and caused a wound that bled waaaay too much when I pumped) try using "liquid skin" or liquid band-aids on your breast while you pump (not good for actual breast feeding of course) to keep the wounds closed. But check with your doc first. Good luck and congratulations on your sweet babies! I have been lurking for a year and a half now, and am so happy for you!
I was only able to breast feed for a week and pump for a week and I had enough. My son didn't want to latch, I was stressed out, so that was it.
I, too, felt guilty, but then I felt relief when my husband said, "Just don't pump anymore. If it's going to stress you out and the baby out, be done."
You do what YOU have to do. Don't worry about anyone else. The babies will be fine if you have to do formula only.
This should be a time of enjoyment and you have enough stress and worry with them being premies!
Just my thoughts. :)
Happy homecoming, Hazel! I hope you went easy on your parents...they need all the rest they can get. Pretty soon your brother will be home and they won't get any sleep!
The breastfeeding/pumping WILL get easier, I promise! I had cracked/bleeding nipples too, but once you get past that its wonderful. Hang in there. :)
Congrats! Hope the whole family is home together soon.
re: pumping, I've been pumping basically exclusively for 4 months (and, due to abysmal supply, hating it for 4 months) but I've learned to make it more enjoyable by saving up fun things, i.e. reading blogs, just for pumping time. And you have a hands-free pumping bra, right? And you're lubricating the funnel sufficiently? Medela lanolin is the best for that. I use a dab larger than a pea for each side, each time.
Good luck, with pumping, with getting out of that NICU, and with your new life! It's totally crazy, esp. at first when their sleep schedules are all over the place, but it's amazing.
congrats on bringing Hazel home!!!
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