Childcare for Preemies

Updated on February 09, 2006
M.B. asks from Helotes, TX
12 answers

Hey all -

I had my baby 9 weeks early. She is still in NICU. Just thinking daycare will not be good for her when she comes out of NICU. Anyone have any suggestions/experience in this? I'm thinking of in home care - I do not think we can afford a nanny unfortunately.

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M.T.

answers from Dallas on

There are several nanny services. You also might get help through a nurse that can be paid by your insurance company. Since your baby is so little you also might be covered by short term disability because your baby needs special care and you need to be wiht her. That happened to someone that I used to work with. She was able to stay out of work for 4 months because of short term disability. We will be praying for your baby.

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M.

answers from Dallas on

Congrats on your baby! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
How much are you willing to pay. A typical nanny might be expensive but I might be able to help since I have 20 years plus experience in childcare and have raised a 15 yr old he was 6 wks early and my youngest was 4 wks early which is 9 months as of this Monday.
I am a single mom and live w/my parents and go to school in the evening for Medical I am wanting to get my RN is Neonatal.
Please keep me posted.
Thanks

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S.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter was born 13 weeks early, weighing 1lb 8oz. She was in the NICU nearly 3 months. I do not know your daughters condition, but after speaking with the neonatologist we decided that it would be best for me to stay home with my daughter. She has done very well, and thrived and has tested above average on skills that a child her age (now 3 years old) should have. I, too, was (am) a first time mom with preemie, these decisions are difficult. I know you situation and pray for your baby. Good Luck!!!

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S.H.

answers from Dallas on

You are ABSOLTELY in my thoughts and prayers. And congratulations! As for care, definitely get an in-home person, but you'll have to be careful about other children and germs, especially RSV. Post something with the churches like Irving Bible Church (that's my church) and Fellowship, along with the other small ones in the area. (I lived in Coppell until recently!)

Oh, and make sure you get a Miracle Blanket. Check it out at www.MiracleBlanket.com. YOur baby will need to be swaddled for comfort and this is BY FAR the most extraordinary blanket out there. YOu'll LOVE it as will your baby.

Enjoy motherhood!

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C.N.

answers from Dallas on

M.,
Congratulations on your new baby! My daughter will be turning 3 on next Friday and she was a 7 week early preemie. She weighed 3 lbs 4 oz. I had her at Baylor Grapevine and she was in the NICU for 3 weeks. They were very insistent that she should not go into daycare because of RSV. I can tell you that I ended working part time and having a babysitter come in to my home so she would not be around other kids. She probably will be given the RSV immunization type of shot if she qualifies. My guess is that she will.
How is your daughter doing so far? Cailan, my littleone was a fighter and I have heard that preemie girls do best.
Cailan was developmental up with her peers by six months but she was still a little bit late with teeth and she starting walking at like 13 months. Nothing really out of the ordinary. People never think she may have been a preemie now. One thing that I noticed was how used to her size you will become and when you go out and see other babies you will think they are huge. :)
If you have any questions or concerns I would be happy to share our experiences. I will keep your family in my thoughts!
simply,
C.

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A.E.

answers from Dallas on

Hi M.,

I don't know of any childcare for preemies, but I did have a preemie myself so can sympathize with what you are going though.

Congratulations on your early little bundle of joy. My son too was early (6 1/2 weeks, weighing in at 4lbs, 5oz). It was so hard to have him at the NICU (3 weeks), but he was in such good hands as I know your little one is. One book that really helped my husband and I was the Dr. Sear's preemie book! It really went over literally everything that my son went through being early and answered a lot of questions and eleviated some fears. If you need support in any way or need some one to run an errand for you please let me know! It can be overwhelming having your little on out out your hands. Good Luck!!
~A. E. (Coppell)

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J.C.

answers from Dallas on

HI M.!
Congrats on your new baby girl! What NICU is she in? She is so tiny! I had my daughter 7 weeks early, March 1 of last year. She was at Presby Plano.

I am home now, with a home based business, so I don't have a referral for you, but I don't blame you one bit for looking for extra care!

If you are at all curious about a home based business, and the opportunity, flexibility and freedom it brings, let me know. It could be your answer to day care-you wouldn't need it! I am making a wonderful income and my business is booming.

Hope to hear from you and good luck with your baby!!
J.

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J.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

Hi M.- I had twins early, one of them was only 3#, and both were in the NICU for many weeks. You are right to keep your baby out of a traditional child care. You also will want to talk to your pediatrician about RSV vaccinations. I would be glad to be a sounding board, or a shoulder to lean on if you need one. It's a hard thing to go through. When are you going back to work?

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Bless your heart!!! Id be so scared. I hope she's doing well. I was a preemie (4 lbs 9 oz) when I was born so hopefully she'll be just fine! :) I'll keep you all in my prayers.

A good friend of mine had a preemie and she did a nanny home share with another mom that wanted personalized care. It worked out well for the both of them and was much more beneficial to them all (mom felt better, baby thrived, low germ ratio, etc.) You may want to check that out. :)

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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

You're right, daycare is a hotbed of germs. In case you have ever entertained the possibility of being a stay-at-home mom, I know of a wonderful, FREE budget counsellor in Corinth who can look at your finances and help you categorize/prioritize. Even if you still need to use childcare, she can help you figure out how much you can really afford to pay.

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R.D.

answers from Dallas on

You should stay home with her. No one can give her the care or love that you could!

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N.

answers from Dallas on

Hi, Mel! I am so sorry to hear about your baby's early arrival. You must be so scared. Is she doing ok? We have had a recent scare, also and found out that our baby will be coming earlier than expected. I've had some complications and am warned that bedrest is around the corner. I know we haven't met, but if you need someone to talk to, or cry with, please let me know. If you need any help with anything, please do not hesitate to contact me. You, your family and your little princess are in my thoughts and prayers.

N. in Coppell

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