[preemieRNkate]

We once had a dad so upset about the fact that his baby could not breastfeed right after delivery (stat c/s for decels, floppy baby with mec below cords, hypoglycemic upon admission and it was done under general for some reason I can't remember) that once the baby was stabilized, he proceeded to put the baby to HIS "breast." Um, not quite the same! The docs gave their ok, and the nurse taking care of the baby set them up with privacy screens like we would for a mom. I don't know what I would have done, or if I would've been able to even keep a straight face!

[SteveRN21]

Where do these guys get these ideas???

[EricEnfermero]

I was lifting a little 1500 g triplet out of an isolette the other day for bath time and he reached up, grasping the side of the isolette's 'roof' with a white-knuckle grip. He looked at me like, "You scare me. I'm holding on, just in case." Or was it the "No! Anything but the bath!" look?

[anniesong]

Eric - my current primary does the same thing! Everytime I take him out for Kangaroo care, weights, or baths he grabs on for dear life. I keep telling the little guy he can trust me, but....

[SteveRN21]

Or how about those feisty little ones who throw a tantrum when you change their diaper. You'd think you were pinching them or something. As soon as you try to get the velcro secured, the little foot comes up and kicks your hand away...

[prmenrs]

My fave is the kid who has a HUGE mess in their scivvies, and puts his foot in it while you're grabbing the wipes. And then when you lift their feet to get all the way up their back, they pee on themselves!! They really cry then...

OK, so you've gone thru 3 diapers, 1/2 pack of wipes, changed the baby and his entire bed, finally get sat down to start the feeding, and you hear......

SPLATTTT!!

[amethystrndrp]

Ok I know I'm not a NICU person yet - not even in nursing school (going to start Pre-reqs this summer/fall etc). So please forgive me if I'm intruding...

But a few weeks ago when I was volunteering in the nursery (every Sunday night!) there was a baby who had come in (I think) from the NICU that made me decide I was going to work in the NICU (after being too afraid I couldn't handle it, too sad etc). She just looked so sad because she wasn't feeling good.

So I've been in here reading all of these posts, and I LOVE THEM! But I have one question maybe sounds dumb - but what do you guys mean when you refer to "Kangaroo"-ing/care etc? I haven't quite figured it out...

I know I probably shouldn't decide yet where I want to be since I haven't "been there done that," but really after reading these I think my heart is set. If anyone wants to PM me suggestions on how I can best my chances of getting a NICU job after graduating I'd be glad to hear them.

And the post that had me really crying was this one:

Originally Posted by BoonersmomRN

...so he could finally see her face ( she was also on phototherapy so eye shields but it was off for this). I finally was able to convince Dad to put his hand through the isolette hole to touch her head and when he did she opened her eyes WIDE and turned her head to him. I said " She knows you are here" and he just started bawling. My preceptor went ahead to put her back on BCPAP while I went around to comfort Dad. When I did he took me into this HUGE BEAR HUG ( I could barely breathe!) and then pulled me back and shook my shoulders while saying" THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I SAW MY EYES ON HER! I SAW MY BABY GIRL! SHE HAS MY EYES!!!!!!!".

[elizabells]

Originally Posted by mauigal

One of the funy things I have seen is a dad. This dad was really hands on type of guy. It was the first day his former 24 weeker was to get a bottle. As dad poured warm breast milk into a volufeed he took a sip! A big smile came over his face and we all laughed. He then said "little guy you are going to love this" It was so sweet watch him feed his son his first bottle. It was really a funny moment & warm fuzzy moment rolled into one

I had just the opposite happen once - a short gut kid who was getting Preg 24 and did NOT want to drink it. Dad was feeling bad for her, so he took a sip of it in solidarity, I guess? Turned around and PUKED in the trash can. Yeah, don't do that, guy.

[hikernurse]

Originally Posted by amethystrndrp

Ok I know I'm not a NICU person yet - not even in nursing school (going to start Pre-reqs this summer/fall etc). So please forgive me if I'm intruding...

So I've been in here reading all of these posts, and I LOVE THEM! But I have one question maybe sounds dumb - but what do you guys mean when you refer to "Kangaroo"-ing/care etc? I haven't quite figured it out...

Aw, you're not intruding; welcome .

Kangaroo care is when an undressed baby--down to his diaper--is placed on the bare chest of his mom or dad. It's great for both babies and parents--as long as the baby is well enough to tolerate it. A bonus for pumping moms is that it helps with milk production/letdown. We encourage parents to do this; most are thrilled .

PS, I didn't mean to lose your color on the second part of the quote, my fingers were moving faster than my brain .

[EricEnfermero]

Originally Posted by elizabells

I had just the opposite happen once - a short gut kid who was getting Preg 24 and did NOT want to drink it. Dad was feeling bad for her, so he took a sip of it in solidarity, I guess? Turned around and PUKED in the trash can. Yeah, don't do that, guy.

You have GOT to be kidding me. Pregestimil smells like it wasn't even intended for human consumption. If the kid manages to drink it, they refuse to burp. (Heck, if you managed to choke it down the first time, you wouldn't want to taste it again either!)

I guess that kind of thing does build empathy. :P