Millie's Milestones

Days 57/58 - Ready for home

MILLIE is to be allowed home.

This is very good news indeed and has led to a flurry of activity.

On Saturday (15 April), she had some vaccinations.

These are the regular vaccinations against various diseases that full-term babies have once they are six weeks old.

On Sunday (16 April), mummy and daddy will sleep in a special room at the hospital with Millie in a cot beside them.

This is so parents can experience the unusual noises that pre-term babies make during the night.

Apparently, we should expect lots of snuffling sounds - a bit like having a hedgehog in the room.

It will also give us a chance to spend our first night with Millie safe in the knowledge there is a team of medical experts just around the corner.

On Monday morning, the doctors and nurses will give Millie a final check before she is allowed home around lunch time.

In preparation, Daddy has transformed the collection of wheels and twisted metal that arrived from Mamas and Papas into something called a "travel system".

A travel system is a clever way of persuading new parents to buy four things when really they only need one or two.

It's really just a car-seat that converts into a carry-cot and a push-chair and a pram.

Considering the money it cost, daddy is surprising that it doesn't sing, dance and do the dishes too.

Bringing Millie home will be very exciting, but also quite scary as mummy and daddy will be very much on their own with her for the first time.

If we need any advice, we will be able to call the Special Care Baby Unit.

Millie will have to return to hospital for regular check-ups. The first will be in two weeks. There will then be further checks throughout her first year.

Now, where is that pink shirt and chocolate cake recipe...?

posted by Johann @ 11:10 AM