I'm seriously thinking having my girls transfered to the children's hospital, they were born really young yeah I know that but why aren't they getting better!

If anything theyre getting worse!!!
They keep saying "Oh Ella might have bronchitis" well if she has it don't they need to find out and treat it right away????????????

And with Shea it feels like they just don't want me to love her because, I'm barely allowd to hold her and when I bring them the breast milk I pumped for her feeding tube they say something like "Well I think you shouldn't be feeding her breast milk because it doesn't have enough nutrients" Well I did research and they say breast milk is infused with a lot more nutrients than formula!!!!

I'm also thinking about taking them both home and buying all the equippment I need and just getting a nurse because I don't know my own daughters!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you should go for whatever you think is best, your girls mean everthing to you and what comes first is your instinct as a mother and it is usually right. The hospital obvouisly is'nt giving you straight forward infomation and you deserve the best for you and your girls.

The hospital was totally wrong about the breast milk and like you said "breast milk is infused with a lot more nutrients than formula" which is 100% right.

You deserve to be with your girls, so go with what you think.


Stacey.x

i know its hard and that ur worried beyond belief, and if u feel that transfering them to a childrens hospital would be better for them than thats what u should do...

but 1st i ask u to consider a couple of things...
in the NICU it is as sterile an environment as it can possibly be, constant handwashing and very very clean, each baby has a nurse CONSTANTLY watching no more than 2-3 babies and often they only have 1 baby.., its quiet and restful..

in a childrens ward/hospital, its loud noisy and full off bright colour, very stimulating.. lets face it, kids arent always very hygeinic and if they are in hospital odds are its coz they are sick, coughing and spluttering thier germs all over the place, and the nurses are very busy watchig very bored kids that just want to play with other kids and talk and laugh, they are not only monioring the kids medically but behaviour aswell, so they wouldnt have constant eyes on ur daughters...

just a few things to consider before making any rash decisions...
i need to ask, is Shea still in an isolette chamber?? if she is then its normal to only be able to hold her for very short periods and infrequently, its all about o2 saturation and keeping that up.

i know u just want them to get better and come home, but they have to get better 1st, bringing them home at this point may not be a very wise idea,
ur too stressed at the moment u are going to make urself sick, and those girls need u at ur best...
as for the breast milk, keep taking it and demand they give it to them and comp her with the formula...
i have to ask, are they suckling yet? or do they have an NG tube still?, if ever..

u need to take a breath my dear...

all will work out ..
ur a strong woman, and u are doing a magnificent job....
bless

Seaason

Bronchitis is a virus, it is best treated with rest and fluids. There isn't a lot they can do except treat the symptoms if they get to severe.

QUOTE:
How is acute bronchitis treated?
Most cases of acute bronchitis will go away on their own after a few days or a week. It's a good idea to get plenty of rest, drink lots of noncaffeinated fluids (for example, water and fruit juices) and increase the humidity in your environment.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/common/mulitsource/677.html

Your breast milk is still the best for the baby, but it might need some fortifiers to help the babies build up their strength. They are used to being able to take everything they need from you, not just what is supplied in your milk, and so any extra nutrition can be added to the breastmilk to make milkshake that will help your babies grow faster and thrive.

QUOTE:
Nutrition and Growth
Premature babies have special nutritional needs because they grow at a faster rate than full-term babies and their digestive systems are immature. Neonatologists (pediatricians who specialize in the care of newborns) measure their weight in grams, not pounds and ounces. Full-term babies usually weigh more than 2,500 grams (about 5 pounds, 8 ounces), whereas premature babies weigh anywhere from about 500 to 2,500 grams.

So, what are premature babies fed? Breast milk is an excellent source of nutrition, but premature infants are too immature to feed directly from the breast or bottle until they're 32 to 34 weeks gestational age. Most premature infants have to be fed slowly because of the risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an intestinal infection unique to preemies. Breast milk can be pumped by the mother and fed to the premature baby through a tube that goes from the baby's nose or mouth into the stomach.

Breast milk has an advantage over formula because it contains proteins that help fight infection and promote growth. Special fortifiers may be added to breast milk (or to formula if breastfeeding isn't desired), because premature infants have higher vitamin and mineral needs than full-term infants. Nearly all premature babies receive additional calcium and phosphorus either by adding fortifier to breast milk or directly through special formulas for preemies. The baby's blood chemicals and minerals, such as blood glucose (sugar), salt, potassium, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium, are monitored regularly, and the baby's diet is adjusted to keep these substances within a normal range.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growing/preemies.html

It sucks that you are feeling pushed out of your babies lives, but it is totally normal. It must seem like there is always someone there who thinks they know more about what your baby needs than you do. Just try to remember, they are just Mechanics. They know how the body works and how to make repairs, but only you know what it felt like when they kicked and wiggled inside of you. Only you know what it feels like to look at them with a mothers love. You are their only mother, and it is your voice that they remember and that makes them feel safe.

QUOTE:
Failure to Bond with Your Infant

You may worry that your baby will not bond normally with you because your baby is in the NICU and you cannot be there with him or her most of the time. The concept of bonding was advanced in the 1970s. Some have interpreted bonding to mean that if the baby does not spend his or her first hours or days after birth with the mother, the mother-child relationship will be permanently damaged. Since premature or ill newborns are often taken from their mothers to the NICU, you may think that you will never be able to establish a normal relationship with your baby. Most researchers now believe that bonding takes place over a long period of time. Bonding is not "all-or-nothing" in the first hours or days after birth. Although you and your baby may be separated for the first days or weeks of life, your baby can still bond with you. Babies learn to recognize their parents’ and other loved ones’ voices and presence very early. Your premature baby will quickly learn to tell you apart from other people. You can be a consistent presence in your child’s life. You and your family may be the only ones who don’t cause your baby pain. Doctors perform procedures, nurses start IVs, and lab technologists draw blood. Your baby will learn to match your voice and touch with that unique comfort that only you offer.
http://www.babyzone.com/drnathan/premature/feelings.asp

How young where the babies born?? If you feel the hospital isnt doing thier jobs your job is to those girls and making sure they get the best treatment available! If you dont look out for them who will? My advise would be change them and give them a real chance!!

Natalia, have you talked with the supervisor in NICU - do you see their doctor? - discussed this with her/him?

That is what I would do, before moving them.