[breana88]

Every woman plans the day she gets to bring her baby home, not expecting late nights in the nicu and having to leave the hospital without your new bundle of joy... But i sure was delighted when they told me the feeding tube was coming out and depending on her feeding shed be home in a week! Now the joy of my life is home <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> Now she is 6 weeks and Feeding seems to be a messy struggle but we get through it, but was wondering if anyone had any advice for a better nipple??? The ones they sent me home with were still too fast for her. And they said the slow flow would ware her out so im a little lost on that one when the nurses didnt have any advice... I was wondering if her fierceness and anger is normal for preemies ? She grunts, groans, and can let out an angry cry. She seems angry a lot but is not a constant crier only when hungry and wet. Its the upset look usually on her face.. But i wonder why so mad?.. My sister has 5 kids so i thought id be some what prepared but i have never met a child so serious as my own.. Im hoping she will start to coo and smile in the monthes to come.. Along with the twitching i call her thumper because she tends to thump her legs a lot is that normal?

 

[justmama]

try a slow flow nipple and see. it really varies from kid to kid. if it works better and it's less messy and she's choking less, don't worry about what the nurses say. they said that about my 34weeker and the bottles. she used avent slow flow nipples until she latched because the regular ones would make her gag and choke and retch. but they took FOREVER for a feeding. Glad she finally nursed because feedings were hellish with the bottles.<br><br><br>
as for her temperment, i think it's just that. . . . . .her own individual temperment. my middle girl was a 34weeker with some feeding issues and apnea issues and she's always been one of those kids who wants it yesterday and will scream at you until she gets it. she will pitch an almighty fit if you don't anticipate what she needs and have it ready for her before she wants it.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"> but my 33weeker is really super laid-back and easy to please. one of the first things people notice about her is how happy and laid-back she is. she's been that way since day1. very quiet, independent, not afraid to get what she feels she deserves, but otherwise really just a happy kid with a smile on her face all the time. so i think your daughter is just one of those high maintenance kids. wait until she's a little older and see what happens. it could change.<br><br><br><br>
congrats on her being home, that's a wonderful thing!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/joy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="joy"><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
oh and i dont' know about the thumping but i'm sure you know the twitching is probably just a nervous system thing. i don't know her adjusted age but their nervous systems are immature at birth as preemies so they tend to twitch and startle themselves a lot and get overstimulated easily. maybe her upset look is due to being overwhelmed with her immature nervous system?????? try swaddling or swaddling AND white noise to help her soothe easier. that will get better with age and maturity.

 

[RiverandJulie]

Agree with all of above poster. OUr 29 weeker went home at 35 weeks with slow flow nipples, we were told to not let him eat for more than 30 minutes. He ate fine and after a couple of weeks graduated to newborn nipples. We ordered DR browns slow flow online. Swaddling was key with him, kept him very calm. Remmeber they are still supposed to be in the womb. COngrats!

 

[2mama]

Try sitting her up a bit while holding her, give her chin support, and external pacing. I wouldn't do the slow flow as it will wear her out. Good luck

 

[tngirl11]

My twins were born at 32 weeks, and what you're describing sounds just like my DD for the first few months after she came home. We found the Dr Brown's bottles with the slow flow nipples to be the best--slow enough but not requiring hard work either. Swaddling also helped us along with lots of patting and shushing. I think the main thing that was needed was just some time for her systems to mature. She turned into a very happy, personable baby/little girl, so I'm sure that your DD will too. Hang in there. I know it's difficult!