Millie's Milestones

MILLIE continues to show signs of progress and there doesn't appear to be anything to worry about.

The consultant told Caroline that Millie is doing everything they expect a 30-week old baby to do and more.

This morning, Millie had a routine ultrasound scan of her brain. This is a scan given to all newborn babies as a matter of course.

Sometimes premature babies' brains can bleed, especially if they get cold after they are born, but Millie passed the ultrasound scan with flying colours.

The doctors did wonder whether Millie had some inflamation in her tummy. She had an abdominal X-ray and that too came back completely clear.

The only slight concern is that she has lost about 140 grammes in weight since birth - about 10 grammes more than they would have liked.

Premature babies are expected to lose about 10% of their birth weight before they start putting on weight.

Millie weighed 1298 grammes at birth so she should have lost about 130 grammes.

In old money, the extra 10 grammes lost is less than half an ounce. And because everything else is going so well we are not unduly worried. Nor are the hospital staff.

Millie is having photo-therapy at the moment, which is like being under a sun bed. This is helping to stave off any jaundice.

Beth's 'bug' is keeping her company (see picture above). You might also be able to make out an orange filter or shield over Millie's head which is protecting her eyes from the ultraviolet light.

Caroline had her first skin-to-skin cuddle with Millie today.

Skin-to-skin contact is known as "kangaroo care". Millie really seemed to enjoy it and curled up into a little ball between Caroline's breasts inside her gown.

The hospital says kangaroo care is especially important for premature babies which have little human contact compared to full-term babies cuddled from birth.

Studies have shown that it helps to maintain and cement the mother-baby bond, as the baby can feel the familiar sensation of its mother's heart beating as it did in the womb.

In another minor milestone, Caroline also washed Millie, cleaning her face, eyes, ears and bottom.

The rash that she had has gone down a little bit, but we may need to think about buying hypoallergenic nappies in the future.

Johann paid two visits to the hospital today. The first was to bring Caroline a milk shake and the morning post - we have lots more cards and would like to thank everyone.

We received an especially nice letter from Auntie Miriam and Nana sent a specially knitted blanket with a pink crocheted border that Millie will lie on while she is in the special care unit.

In the evening, Johann visited again and was able to have his first "kangaroo care" cuddle with Millie.

He thinks she really looks like him - right down to the dark curly hair and wrinkly forehead...

Confirmed forthcoming visits to look forward to: John & Linda (Wednesday 22nd); Winston & Lynda (Saturday 25th).