Originally Posted by Mattee
Originally Posted by caspharm
As long as it's the right size, day one is fine. My old guild made quilts for the NICU at the local children's hospital, which were sent home with the babies.
In NICUs they're still not usually used to cover for warmth. They're laid over isolettes to block light and provide decoration. They also do things in NICUs that you shouldn't at home because the babies are monitored 24/7.
Actually they use thin flanel blankets in the NICU to swaddle the babies (which is a blanket)- they'll even show the parents how. Our son was a premmie and the best nurses were those who let you parent not those who were constantly telling you how and what which only intensifies your stess and feeling inadequite. You're taking that little one home with you and forbidding you from this and that is ridiculious. Parents can use common sense. Things like flame retardent materials are no longer recommened and being fazed out do to the toxins in them- what was designed for safety wasn't so safe. You can spend all your time worrying about following 'the rules' or you can relax and enjoy your little one- it's better for both of you.
When I was worrying about sleeping positions and blankets I lost a lot of sleep reajusting the baby. Our youngest from day one was a loud breather and the only way either of us slept was with him propped on my arm all night- guess what- we both survived. Yes, I do believe having a baby next to you at night is good especially when you're both tired and nursing. When we brought our first home (the premmie) we were a reck over no sleep because of trying to follow the doctors orders to the t. Finally we brought him into our bedroom(He fit in a arm chair at first) then a cstome bed/crib next to me. We all began to get sleep .