Hi all.  I have been on twitter for  a while now.  You can find me @ghorrall.  And through this site, I have meet some amazing people.  One of those of those people happens to be @salonmaire, she is the most amazing woman.  She is a lactation consultant and nurse.  She runs her very own internet salon for breastfeeding mothers.  And does personal consulting to help new mother and breastfeeding mothers with any issues they may be having.  On top of all of that she has a weekly radio show. 

I was so happy when last week she asked me to be a guest.  She started her consulting in the NICU so we had plenty to talk about.  We discussed pumping, keeping your milk in, dealing with the stress, and just trying to keep things in perspective with all that is going on.  The replay is available and I would love to hear your comments on the show.  

Here are 5 tips for breastfeeding your preemie

First keep yourself hydrated drink lots of water

Second make sure that you keep yourself nurished the right nutrients are important and your body will leach it from you to make milk for your baby

Third take time for yourself, you need to stay calm and relaxed.

Fourth get a good pump one that mimics babies sucking I recommend Medela

Fifth but not least, just keep at it.  Pumping and breastfeeding is a learning experience, don’t give up or get discouraged.   You can do it and your milk is so much better for you baby.

Technorati Tags: breastfeeding, Preemie, Preemie Parenting, pumping

Meet this year’s March of Dimes Ambassador Katelyn Hall.

“Born no larger than a ballpoint pen at birth, a premature baby girl who survived overwhelming odds has been named the 2009 National Ambassador for the March of Dimes. The National Ambassador Program is an annual campaign that puts a face on the March of Dimes mission…the face of a child who was saved by March of Dimes research, programs, or educational campaigns designed to improve infant health.” 

Katelyn is among the growing number of preemies born each year.  Katelyn’s story hits so close to home for me, because my children were born in 2003, were born at 25 weeks, and also given a 5% or less chance to live.   It is amazing the number of preemies on now an astonishing 540,000 a year or more. 

There are things that could be done to prevent this.  And I am so very glad that health care was extended for pregnant mothers and children of those that can not afford it earlier this year.  That is great, but I believe it is not enough.   I think one of the biggest things lacking in this country is the education of how and what to expect when your pregnancy goes wrong.  As well as the best way to take care of yourself and your pregnancy during that time.  I know the reason for premature births has not been found, but I also know that many could be avoided with this knowledge. 

If you would like to know more about Katelyn then please check out News Moms Need post on her.  As well as Katelyn’s blog of her travel across the country raising awareness for the March of Dimes and preemies!

Technorati Tags: March of Dimes, Preemie Health, preemies, preemies stories

In accordance with what I feel this site needs we will be offering my information than just preemie clothing.  I have found that there is a lack of education and understanding of what our babies go through.  It is my mission to help pregnant parents prepare for the what ifs as well as help the NICU parents cope with their new job.  I will be providing informaiton on challenges that our preemies face in the NICU as well as when they go home. 

It is my sincere wish to also start adding links to services that are designed to help in those times of need.  At the end of this experience I hope that this website will be the go to for all parents needing support from the before, to the NICU, and beyond. 

I have also created a community just for Preemie Parents and it will be up and running very soon.  The community will be called Preemie Mom and I will having a grand opening very soon.  I have a few more things to tweek and add.  But I am very much looking forward to helping others. 

I have also been awarded very first ever “The Painted Life” award for this blog.   I will adding the details to this and the award very soon.  Here is to wishing that all the beeps turn to laughter and all the stresses turn to hugs.  Have a great week!

Technorati Tags: coaching, familly, NICU, Preemie, Preemie Parenting

Okay well as you all know that most mom that have preemies, have gone through premature labor.  So I have written an article titled Top 5 Signs of Premature Labor.  If you have ever wondered if that twinge is something to worry about.  Or if you think that something is just not right, then read this article and find out what top 5 things to be concerned with are. 

I know that that I did not know all the warning signs.  If I had known, if I had insisted, if the doctors would have not passed me off as just being a first time pregnant woman over reacting.  I would love to help other mother not be a what if.  And if you are already have joined the club of preemie hood.  Then please pass this article along to your friends.  Thank you.

Technorati Tags: Preemie Health, preemies, premature labor

Hello all

I have decided that I will be making some changes to this site very soon.  I do hope that you will bear with me as some things will be in the works.  I will be adding more information about parenting preemies and NICU experiences as well as personal stories.  I will be adding links to me articles that pertain to this topic as well as the stories and poems that my little miracles have inspired me to write.  I will start tonight with a poem for tonight that is about the birth of my precious son and daughter.  It is called and Coming Too Early.  Please enjoy it and if you are a parent of a preemie and/or are going through the NICU struggle, know you are not alone that there are many that have been where you are.  I am one of them and if you need help or have questions please email me.  Or you can always follow me on Twitter.  Also know that I will be keeping up my store and links so that you can find things easily and at your fingertips.  Have great day and keep smiling.  Life will be great today and everyday and that is what I am always so greatful for.

This is my son he was 1lb, 9oz and only 9 1/2inches long

This is my daughter she was 1lb, 11oz and only 9 1/2 inches long

I was recently asked to do a guest blog for a new friend of mine.  Her name is Andrea Tannouri and she is the Holistic Mama.  She resides in sunny San Diego and is into holistic living and going green.  And I found it very fitting that I do this guest spot for her for those reason.  I love my hometown and the her topics are things that I follow in my everyday life. I would very much love for you to learn more about my story and you can do that on her blog.  I hope this finds you all well and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.  

Technorati Tags: Andrea Tannouri, Guest blog, Hololistic Mama, My preemies, preemies

I have been ill for a while and realized that I really needed to make a post.  I have been thinking alot lately about my own NICU experience and I wanted to share with you my top 5 NICU parenting tips. 

Now we all know that having a preemie is hard enough and comes with stress, but there are some thing you can do to help you bond with your child while still in the NICU and to get you more comfortable with the idea that this little person is your to protect.

So here we go

• 5  Get to know the conditions that your baby has.  If your little one has problems with his PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus), then you need to research and find out about his PDA.  That sort of thing.  The Preemie Essential Guide is great for finding information on those conditions. 
  
• 4   As I said in tip 5 research.  Research your childs condititions, the treatment, and what you are going to need when they come home.  So many parents forget that eventually they need to get everything at home ready too.  And depending on your little one’s condition you may need something extra not expected if you don’t find out ahead of time. 
  
• 3   This tip is really important to you and your little one.  Get to know the staff.  Make sure they get to know you, your wishes for your little one.  They need to know that you care and you need to know they care too.  And you need to have a good working dialog in order to keep up with the daily goings on at the NICU.  Trust me knowing if and when you can sit in during rounds on your little one is really a good way to make sure everyone knows who you are and what you want for your child.
• 2   This tip was so hard for my husband and I to do, but you must make time for yourself.  You have got to learn to start now.  If you are tired and worn out and stressed your baby will pick up on it.  If you take an hour for yourself, unwind, go for a walk, go out to eat, then it will be better for you and your little ones health.  It is always hard for parents to find that fine line of feeling selfish and take time for themselves and giving to much to their little ones.  Recharge so you have more energy and calm to give to your baby.  They get hurried, stressed and rushed from the staff.  It is your job to be their shelter and calm for the busy beeping and buzzing going on.
  
• 1   And my top tip for being a preemie parent is know that you are your child’s advoacte.  I know the doctors always think that they know what is best.  And alot of times they are, but sometime you have to speak up when you think they are wrong or that they did something wrong.  I will give you an example my daughter had a procedure done to fix a nic in her bowel.  For months she had two parts of her bowel exposed till she was big enough and strong enough to put it back together.  So they decided to feed the bowel that had not been recieving material since it was not connected.  The on problem was that the surgical resident did not read the chart right and feed the wrong part of her bowel.  I noticed this after an hour or so and realized she was not eleminating waste anymore.  So I got the nurse they called the resident at home and he flat out denied it, but said if we were certain take it out and he would check in the morning.  So we rushed back to her and took out the feed and sure enough.  We had just been jamming that waste back into her.  She got really sick, but had I not insisted and made them take it out.  She could have died.  As it was she became septic and was at the brink for about 3 weeks because of it.

So my point is always know your staff.  Always know what is going on with your baby.  Realize that we are all human and sometimes doctors and nurses make mistakes.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to speak up, and never be afraid to have different opinion.  Also be willing to open up to other ideas, so that you can learn from the experience. 

I would not change my experience for the world.  I learned so much and gained so much confidence from the NICU.  Be willing to see the possiblities and make the positive your motto.  The less you focus on the bad, the more happy things will come your way, because you will be grateful for their presence.  We find what we seek.  Seek happy and know that the power of positive thought can make all the difference.

Technorati Tags: NICU, parenting, Preemie, Preemie Health, top 5 tips

Times are particularly hard around the country.  The Economy is tough for most of everyone and there are many people getting laid off.  With this crisis there are many places that normally have able to help there communities are running short on supplies.  Things like clothing and toys and more are needed.

Check this link  http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081230/NEWS01/112309976  And there are so many more places like this that are really feeling the crunch too.

So I just wanted to remind anyone out there with used preemie clothing or toys that donating is a really good way help out and give back.  Also there are resale shops that will buy your preemie clothing from you, giving you cash and a place for parents of preemies to get clothing at a reasonable rate.

Good karma, greenie points, law of attractions and gratitude and loving all roled into one.  Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

Hello all,

I know that all of you know that with a preemie you have to even more precautions with a regular infant.  Now RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) can be deadly to a regular infant.  So just imagine all the fun that it could have inside your preemies lungs.  Sorry to be so grim and punchy here, but I really do not think that people take this virus seriously.  It can seem like a cold, but it can into so much more and require hospitilization or worse.  And why would anyone take that chance with this precious bundle they have just spent days, weeks, or in my case months to bring home. 

The precautions are pretty easy and if you don’t want to stay in a bubble with your little one or ones as the case maybe (by the way I did and I am so glad that they were so much the healthier for it).  Then there are some things that you should do.  First try to avoid crowds of any kind and that means family and friends and all their little ones.  Always make anyone that handles your little one wash their hands.  If you have older children make sure they have clean hands and that they are not coughing or sneezing.  Lysol counter tops and door knobs and toilet handles often.  And I can not stress this one enough, just don’t let anyone smoke around your little one.  I mean to the point that you have them change clothing if they did just go out side and smoke.  IT is so bad for their little lungs.  (Check the link at the bottom of the post for even more ways to prevent RSV.) 

Preemies are a treasure and a miracle.  If you would like more information on Preemies and their health issues then check out this book.

For more ways to protect your baby from RSV 

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/326628/learning_how_to_prevent_rsv_disease.html

Technorati Tags: Preemie, Preemie Books, Preemie Health, rsv

Hello all,

I hope that the season is find you in good cheer and having a great holiday season.  I wanted to let you all know that I have started a store on Amazon that has a great selection for you precisious little ones.  So if you are looking for preemie clothing for you little one or just the extras that help make things easier with having a little one then have a look.  There are many different suggestions and a little bit of everything for everyone.  Enjoy and have a wonderful Holiday Season, many blessings to you and yours.

Technorati Tags: clothes preemie, preemie christmas presents, preemie clothing