But Your Baby Is A Premmie!

Why do I keep hearing people say that when I talk about some of the ways we parent Callum???

“Yes we use cloth nappies”

“But your baby is a premmie!”

SO? how can a cloth nappy hurt him?????

“Yes we co-sleep

“But your baby is a premmie!”

SO? All the more reason why he should sleep near to us.

“Yes I rock him to sleep if he wants me to.”

“But your baby is a premmie!”

SO? He was denyed so much phsyical closeness for the first weeks of his life I am not about to waste one second now!

“Do you breastfeed?”

“Right now we are tring to get him back on, but he is formula fed.”

“Oh but yes breastfeeding is best for a premmie. You should really be breastfeeding him.”

Don’t you think that I know that. I want to breastfeed him. I express about 3 mls, in a 24 hour period he is getting about 18+mls of breastmilk cup fed to him. Breastfeeding to me is very important. For three years we tried to have a baby. With not a great deal of luck. Then finally he enters our world, I wanted to give him the best. Please understand that I want to breastfeed my child.

Yes I like to wear my son in his sling.

“But he is a premmie!”

SO? All the more reason he should be kept close to me – after all he was taken out of me 9 weeks before he was ready and kept in an isolette (the name really says it all) for weeks after he was born.

“No. I have no desire to leave Callum, not even for an hour”

“But your baby is a premmie”

SO? Why on earth does that mean that I need to get away from hi ? On the contrary I had to leave him in the hospital every day for 6 weeks and there is NO WAY I am about to leave him again anytime soon.

And all this from peole who I think should know better – my MCHN and my in-laws. ARRGGGHHHHHH!!!!

I am sure you all get bizarre responses to similar comments but it just so bugs me that people use Callum being premmie as an excuse to try and guilt me into parenting their way! I already have enough guilt over how things turned out I don’t need anyone elses!

In my opinion it is precisely BECAUSE HE IS A PREMMIE that these things are important. He missed out on so much when he was first born that I just want to spend every second now trying to make up for it!

Ok I feel a little bit better now…

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March 30, 2004

Oy! Some people. You are making wonderful choices in the way you parent. Callum is thriving. 🙂 Remember when we used to get on IM’s and talk about having babies? And remember sending me that book that I never gave back? (It’s on my shelf…) It’s amazing to think we ended up having kids within months of each other. 😀 Think about what you’ve accomplished, not what others think you should.

March 30, 2004

some people just need a good THWACK to the head *hugs* sorry you have to deal with such ignorance espeically from people that should know better. You know what is best for your child, and your doing a wonderful job!

March 30, 2004

And seriously… I think the cloth diaper comment has to be the stupidest out of ALL of those. I mean, I know and you know that co-sleeping/baby-wearing/breastmilk is good for all babies, esp. preemies – and those I can see people talking about… but the cloth diaper comment really came out of left field. I’m scratching my head on that one.

March 30, 2004

Cloth diapers are the best things in the world for babies, whether they be cloth napkins or cloth diapers. They are way healthier than plastic disposables. DO your own thing, You are taking great care, don’t let people bring you down with judgments. Humans can’t rightfully judge anyone, though they do; just don’t pay attention. Be yourself; be courageous; carpe diem, Peace

March 30, 2004

some people..

arugh! People need to keep opinions to themselves! YOU are the MOM!!!!! I still get tons of opinions!

March 30, 2004

I never had the attitude of “not caring what other’s think’ until after I had Cole. Don’t let them get to you, do what you and hubby think is best for your little man and IGNORE. Often times I have to go “ya, uh huh, I see what your saying”… and then change topics… they get the message eventually! You are doing a wonderful job! He’s a baby, he’s dependant on you! Duh! (geesh)

March 30, 2004

People are dumb huh? ((HUGS))

you shouldn’t feel you have to defend your self. Next time some one says “but he’s a premie” just say, “yes I know I was there at his birth and I have been there for the past five months and well frankely I plan on being there for the rest of his life, so if you don’t mind but out of my business.”

Geesh some people don’t know when to butt out. I smile politely and continue to do things MY way. Advice is all very well, but when you state you are happy the way things are people should back off without any “but this….” business. You’re doing a great job Kellie, ignore them *hugs*

March 30, 2004

RYN: She did too, for a LONG time. SHe used to scream and scream when we put one on her. When we moved here (when she was 4.5 months) we essentially had to force the issue, seeing as it was -40 outside. After another month, she would put up with them. Now she doesn’t mind them so much anymore. We wore one that day because the wind was blowing like crazy and I didn’t want her ears to get cold

But..your baby is a preemie! HAHAHA. Sorry couldn’t resist. Seems to me that you are doing everything right. Congrats, he’s adorable!

I always think of you when people tell me how lucky Tristan was to be okay when he was born 3 WEEKS early! Callum is thriving and doing awesome and not because he was a preemie, but because he is a strong boy:) Just like momma and poppa:P

People need to mind their own business – UGH. Jake was in NICU for a week after he was born. That was bad enough. WHen I finally got him home I heard the same kinda crap. Put cotton in your ears – lol..

March 30, 2004

Don’t let people get to you. You know you’re doing the best for him. Yes he’s a premmie, but he’s still a baby, and should be treated as such. Hooray for you for doing what you do! *hugs*

It sounds like you are doing a fabulous job, keep up the good work!!!

Ack… don’t listen to them. I get that same crap and my baby wasn’t a preemie. Instead of “But your baby is a preemie…” I get “You are going to spoil her.” Or my personal favorite. The LOOK. You know the one. The annoying know it all, disapproving, half tilted LOOK.

March 31, 2004

some people just dont think before they open there mouths or keyboards! you are doing a wonderful job and you are a great momma!((hugs))

bah…

April 22, 2004

Ugh! I get the same dumb comments from people too. *shakes head*