Some helpful information to help you understand the development of your little one as he/she grows while in the NICU:
1. I am 25-27 weeks gestation
* Your soft and gentle voice is very familiar to me, hearing it helps me to feel safe and secure so please sing, read, and talk to me.
*I can open my eyes for short periods, especially when the lights are dimmed.
*I appreciate it when you do one thing at a time like talk OR touch me.
*I love to hold your finger or have you cradle my head and bottom in your hands. I will enjoy being rubbed and lightly stroked when I am a bit older.
*Discuss Kangaroo care with my nurse to see if I am ready.
*Sucking on a pacifier or the tubes in my mouth gives me comfort.
*Staying warm is important to me.
*Gaining weight is a lot of work.
*I need boundaries to maintain a snuggled position so I can feel secure.
2. I am 28-29 weeks gestation
*Your soft and gentle voice is very familiar to me, hearing it helps me to feel safe and secure so please sing, read, and talk to me.
*Talk to me in a soft and soothing voice to prepare me for your touch.
*I appreciate it when you do on thing at a time like talk to me OR touch me.
*I can stay awake for a brief time and try to look at your face.
*I like it best when you let me hold your finger or when you cradle me with your hands. Rubbing or stroking me is over stimulating for me.
*I like it when you do my care, the nurse can guide you.
*I only grow in my sleep so it's important for me to lie quietly on your chest when napping.
*Reposition or move me with slow gentle movements.
*I like the lights dimmed when possible.
*Swaddling helps me to feel secure.
*Sucking on a pacifier calms and comforts me.
3. I am 30-32 weeks gestation.
*Your soft and gentle voice is very familiar to me, hearing it helps me to feel safe and secure so please sing, read, and talk to me.
*Talk to me in a soft voice to prepare me for your touch.
*I like to kangaroo during our time together, but remember it is my nap time.
*Reposition or move me with slow gentle movements.
*I like the lights dimmed when possible.
*I have periods of alertness, I look around but I'm unable to focus yet.
*Although I'm not ready to breastfeed, I can nuzzle at the breast after you pump.
*I feel secure when I am swaddled, hand cradled, or tucked in a fetal position.
*Sucking on a pacifier comforts and calms me.
4. I am 33-36 weeks gestation.
* Your soft and gentle voice is very familiar to me, hearing it helps me to feel safe and secure so please sing, read, and talk to me.
*Talk to me in a soft voice to prepare me for your touch.
*I am a preemie, still 4-6 weeks before my due date. I may just look small, but I have some growing and developing to do.
*I may or may not need help with my breathing, but still forget to do it.
*Once feedings are introduced I am able to try and breastfeed, but if I'm not quite ready to breastfeed, I still like to nuzzle at your breast.
*I still need sleep to grow but I wake for most of my feedings.
*I want to really focus on feedings so limit activities and reduce movement as much as possible.
*Sucking on a pacifier helps me to feel calm and secure but also helps me get ready for breast/bottle feedings.
*I feel secure when I am swaddled, hand cradled, or tucked in a fetal position.
*Move me slowly and gently when diapering or repositioning me.
5. I am 37-40 weeks gestation.
*Your soft and gentle voice is very familiar to me, hearing it helps me to feel safe and secure so please sing, read, and talk to me.
*Talk to me in a soft voice to prepare me for your touch.
*I am said to be full term but need some special care. I can be quite sick due to my illness but hope to be better soon.
*Please watch my behavior cues to see how I tolerate talking, touching, or holding. My nurse will explain these.
*I am mature enough to feed by mouth, and will love it when I am well.
*I want to focus on feeding so limit my activites and reduce movement as much as possible.
*I love to look at your face during my alert periods.
*I will be in a crib soon.
Information provided by the Arnot Ogden Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
my tattoo for my daughter!
- MissDipper
on Aug. 14, 2009 at 9:04 PM