The benefits of the NICU

Really, there are some benefits of having a child in the NICU. You just have to look at it from a different angle. Most first time parents have a baby at full-term and two or three days later, leave the hospital, equiped only with what they learned in their newborn education class. Miles came long before we even had a chance to attend any kind of class so we were completely unprepared but fortunately, while he is in the NICU, we are also receiving expert one-on-one training on everything from diaper changing to CPR.

As we enter week three in the NICU, we are now more confident in caring for, dressing, swaddling and handling Miles, thanks to the patience of his many wonderful nurses. We have also benefited from other perks that help take the shock out of first time parenting and will make it easier when we do finally bring him home. A few highlights include:

- Access to lactation experts. Not only do they give you personalized advice on maxmizing your milk supply but also follow up (almost too much!) to ensure you are doing well
- Dedicated social workers who' make a point of seeking you out and then helping you navigate the NICU and explain your disability options and other needs
- Weekly groups led my experts focused on preemie issues like long term development
- Endless supply of bottles, wipes, diapers, warm clothes, etc so we don't have to even think about what we need. This will be the biggest shock when we get Miles home...
- Sleep....we don't have to do his middle of the night feedings. Getting up to pump is a nothing compared to managing a crying baby at 3 am!

And thankfully, Miles continues to thrive. He is within striking distance of 4 pounds and looks different every day. He still has a few Brady's every day but usually resolves these on his own. Other than that, he just needs to grow. We hope to introduce him to bottle feeding in the next week. Miles will be happy to have the tube in his mouth removed - it seems to be a source of annoyance to him.

Dave and I are completely smitten with him, as you would expect. His every action leaves us in awe - the way he grips our fingers to move his body (a sure sign he will be a phenomenal athlete), how alert and curious he is, especially when it is time to eat, the way he moves his head when I hold him to look me in the eye, the cute way he positions his arms, the tiny sounds he makes when he is comfy and sleeping in my arms after being fed....all of this fascinates us (and we fully understand that it would mean little to anyone else).

And thanks to everyone at the NICU who has taken such good care of him and us, giving him the opportunity to thrive. We can only hope that he continues to do so well.