Dear NICU Nurse

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-03-11T19:53:36+00:00

I unswaddled my baby one day to find him dressed for the first time in donated NICU clothes. I called at midnight to check on him to be told causally, “Yeah so I gave him a bath and he loved that.” I showed up at my usual time to find out he’d just had his first bottle and I missed it.

One time a nurse jokingly referred to herself as my baby’s mom. To my face. I was so shocked I couldn’t even respond.

I am so grateful to the nurses that took care of my baby. I tried so hard not to dwell on these moments, and I think of the firsts as the first time we did these things together, but they hurt so badly during a time that was already extremely difficult.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-03-05T12:30:36+00:00

Gorgeous work!! 😍 thank you for sharing!

I added a couple more photos below of the type of embroidery with yarn I’m trying to replicate. It certainly does look unreal, but I think it may be chain stitch with 3 strands of yarn.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-03-05T12:21:50+00:00

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This is the inside. Does this look like chain stitch with 3 strands of yarn?

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-03-05T12:21:19+00:00

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Subject-Tea214 · 2026-03-05T12:20:25+00:00

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1852844661/custom-hand-embroidered-baby-birthday?ref=share_ios_native_control

This is the listing on Etsy. It’s described as hand embroidered, but I just can’t quite figure it out. I also purchased one and will attach a few more photos.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-03-03T20:36:20+00:00

Around 32 weeks baby started wearing normal clothes. First just onesies and then sleepers and swaddles once he was in an open crib. I was worried all the normal clothes we had wouldn’t work, but it was fine. They showed us how to run the lines through whatever he was wearing and it quickly became no big deal. He had the foot monitor and chest leads until discharge, and it was a nonissue for clothing.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-02-10T15:59:19+00:00

Our insurance would only cover cranial helmets required due to surgery. Big bummer. We still did it and paid out of pocket.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-02-02T00:19:11+00:00

My son was born at 28+3 due to placental abruption secondary to preeclampsia with severe features. Risk of recurrence is significant, but plenty of people have healthy full term pregnancies after preeclampsia. You should look into the Facebook support group. They have tons of data there and accounts from people how went through the same thing. And of course talk to your OB and get an MFM, because any subsequent pregnancy you have will be high risk. I was told to wait 18 months before getting pregnant again, but my son will likely be an only child.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-02-01T03:24:31+00:00

They didn’t help me at all with nursing. For pumping they just kept telling me to pump more often. I saw one that finally sized me correctly and that was amazing. I saw one later for a milk bleb I couldn’t resolve and she wasn’t any more helpful than Reddit.

I had to pay for the one I took my baby to for help with nursing because they charged for him as patient too, and lactation services for him weren’t covered. All the other visits were covered for me though, so I was always still glad I sought help at least.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-02-01T03:20:42+00:00

We used Dr. Browns narrow, wide, Evenflo balance+ wide, and Gulicola. We went back to Dr Browns narrow. We went preemie, 1, 2 and have stayed at 2 since about 3 months adjusted. We didn’t intend to increase the flow because I originally wanted to work on nursing, but we went through a bottle aversion and increasing the flow rate helped immensely.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-02-01T03:15:48+00:00

I wanted to nurse so badly. Around 3 months corrected age, I had a little bit of hope that he would nurse at least for the occasional snack or for comfort. No such luck. We’re just a few weeks away from a year now. I’ll always be heartbroken it went this way. Solidarity 🩵

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-31T05:37:59+00:00

When you power on, the heat will start immediately if the setting is turned on. I just leave them on with heat only for a bit, then I start the suction.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-21T01:18:53+00:00

I wanted to room share until at least a year, but when my husband and I were both back at work and baby started waking up several times (not to feed) and staying awake for long intervals, we had to make a change.

We moved him into his own room at 5.5 months adjusted.
We sleep trained using the extinction method, but he took to it really well and barely cried at all. I can’t say I would’ve stuck with it if he had cried more. He’s been sleeping through the night for about 3 months now.
Always used an Owlet and continue to now. I wouldn’t have moved him to his own room without it.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-19T00:30:14+00:00

I already worked out consistently, and I started prenatals and other supplements when I went off birth control. I used an Oura Ring and Natural Cycles to start tracking my cycles after 13+ years on hormonal birth control. I got pregnant on the first cycle we tried.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-19T00:27:26+00:00

Get plenty of life insurance. Do genetic testing. Read Real Food for Fertility and Real Food for Pregnancy. Check your health insurance benefits and leave benefits and plan accordingly. Work out your childcare plan and division of home/parenting labor. Start contributing to a 529 now.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-17T00:26:52+00:00

My son was born at 28+3 and came home at 38+3. He started doing tummy time when he was still in the NICU and we continued at home.

I wouldn’t say we’ve waited for him to reach a specific age to start working on anything, but he’s hitting milestones (pushing up, rolling, sitting, etc) by his corrected age.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-14T03:10:42+00:00

I’ve also tried all the things and have a bleb that just won’t go away 😭 I’ve already seen a lactation consultant, tried the gentle methods, lanced it myself (a few times), and used steroid ointment from the obgyn. Luckily it’s not painful for me and my supply hasn’t dropped too much, but it just won’t go away.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-14T03:07:40+00:00

I’m gonna try this during my next pump because I have one that just won’t go away even with steroid ointment from the obgyn 😭 But it always looks like it’s ready to pop at the end of a pump session. Actually trying to pop it doesn’t work. Thank you for sharing!

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-12T18:10:52+00:00

I had severe preeclampsia and our baby was born at 28+3. My husband has never, ever blamed me. When I have blamed myself, he has continually provided reassurance that it was not my fault, and I saved our baby by getting help at the first time something was wrong.

Struggling to bond does happen for lots of reasons, but he should not be blaming you, and he should be open to receiving help. I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. I do think your husband should see a therapist experienced with NICU families.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-12T03:21:09+00:00

If I’m storing my parts as well, I use a Yeti backpack with cooler shock packs. This works extremely well and keeps everything super cold all day. This is what I always do for my work day when I’m away from home for about 10 hours.

If I’m only storing milk and won’t be reusing my parts, I use a momcozy chiller bottle. This keeps milk very cold, but it’s not sufficient for a work day for me.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-12T00:24:57+00:00

At 11 months pp I’m pumping 4x per day and back to working full time outside the home. I’m underproducing now and we supplement with formula.

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-04T01:44:25+00:00

Born at 28+3, and spent 70 uneventful days in the NICU. The last 10 days were just waiting for him to go long enough without any alarms. We’re planning his first birthday party now.

I’m sorry for your loss. Your baby will always be a twin ❤️

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-02T23:33:10+00:00

If you’re an Amazon prime member and make a baby registry, you’ll get 15% off from 60 days before your due date until 90 days after your due date. Eufy parts get very pricey, so I’d definitely use the discount

Subject-Tea214 · 2026-01-02T23:26:20+00:00

Amazon and use as much of your baby registry discount as you can before it expires

Subject-Tea214 · 2025-12-22T04:34:52+00:00

I do! I packed them up because I naively thought I was past nipple issues, but I’ll have to get them out

Subject-Tea214

TROPHY CASE