Hand to Hold's official blog
We work so hard to keep our children healthy this time of year. I say work because it can feel like a job sometimes. We manage family and friends who want to visit, making sure they aren’t sick and haven’t been around anyone sick. Some of us go into “lock-down” through cold and flu season; [...]
It’s that time of year- family gatherings, gift giving, Christmas parties, and church services. The season of joy. But what happens when your medically fragile child is stuck at home, leaving you and your baby isolated during this joyous season? How do you answer those nagging questions from relatives eagerly awaiting to pinch those cute [...]
This story was submitted by Shannon, one of our readers. This is the story of my 27 weeker, my miracle Caleb… I was 26 weeks pregnant and everything had been going well until one morning I woke up and thought that I had wet my pants a little. This was my second pregnancy so I [...]
For those of you who have discovered Preemie Babies 101 since last Christmas, I want to bring some archived posts to your attention that address concerns many preemie parents face during the holidays and the winter months. In the NICU During the Holidays Ideas for a NICU Care Basket The Battle for Synagis What is [...]
When my son, Haylen, was born at 27wks 5days (2 lbs 13oz, 15.5 inches), we were much like other parents of preemies and we were caught completely unaware and off guard. From my own experience, I realized that though most people know that some babies are born prematurely, they really don’t understand the extent of [...]
Roxy came home on November 11, 2009. Two weeks before Thanksgiving. Our hospital had placed strict rules on visitors to the NICU and Neonatal Nursery during Roxy’s last two months because the flu epidemic had gotten so bad in our area. Only parents and biological grandparents were allowed to visit during October and the beginning [...]
In 2008, our 26 week preemie was released from the NICU a week before Halloween. We had been so consumed by her issues (weight gain and bottle-feeding) in the hospital, we hadn’t given the holiday any thought. Since Addie was quarantined during RSV season, we had no place to take her for Halloween, but I [...]
I was just wondering how many of our preemie babies have actually gotten RSV, either in the NICU (can they get it in the NICU?) or during their first few years of life at home. Some questions I’m curious about are: 1. If your preemie got RSV did you have him under strict quarantine or [...]
I’ve been to the ER a few times with my preemie, when she has had croup and pneumonia, and it has always ended up seeming to be a waste of time and money. It’s strange, every time we’ve been sent there the drive was scary because my daughter couldn’t breathe or was coughing really hard [...]
I attend a church where babies can go to the nursery when they are 18 months old. Before this time the children stay with their parents in classes and meetings, and when they are 3-4 years old they start attending classes with children their age. Most parents in my church can’t wait for the 18-month [...]
Hand to Hold is a nonprofit 501(c)3 parent support organization and information and resources provided here do not intend to take the place of the relationship between a patient and personal physician.