I remember from my own babies how we knew exactly how many days, weeks and then months the baby was aged. Every day in those first weeks or even year seems like a milestone. And, of course, they do change hugely!
So the grandbaby. Monday – day 5 of his life – his teenaged father was offered (to his surprise) skin on skin contact. So he removed his shirt and held the baby. The next day I understand he shed tears as he departed for uni down south. But what can you do. He needs an education.
On my visit early evening of day 6, baby was sound asleep. Apparently he’d been very grumpy all morning. He’s hungry but until his bowel does whatever it has to do, then it’s tube feeding of nutrients and fluids only. The nurse reckoned ‘food’ was 2-3 days away.
Today – day 7? (well he was born a week tomorrow) baby’s mum tells me that he’s doing really well. Perhaps he will be allowed some breastmilk tomorrow. Perhaps he will be allowed home at the end of next week.
I am astonished. Is the right? What happened to the thing about ‘prem babies are kept in hospital until their due date or close to it’ – I thought we had weeks to go.
It’s hard to know what to do about visiting a baby in an incubator. Not much you can do really.
However, the really hard thing is: what are next big steps in my own youngest son’s (baby’s father) life?
