Tuesday, April 22, 2008

My Day in the NICU

What did I do today? I normally do not write about my work. However, I think some of the things I do everyday would be considered very moving or touching to some people. I have done it so much over the past forty years that I forget this. As I started to think about what to write about, I decided I could speak generally and not about any specific baby. I decided to give it a go. Today, I fed a tiny baby his first feeding. When you think about it, that is a pretty monumental thing for a baby of about two pounds to suck a bottle. The bottle was almost as big as he was. He loved it, even if he was somewhat startled that milk came out, instead of the usual of just sucking his paci. You know how much he drank??? 2ml...yes, not quite a half of a teaspoon. His mama pumped and pumped to get him that milk, and he loved it. He told me by the way he grasped his hands together and curled his little toes. That is not all I did today, but it was the most gratifying. For me and for him.

6 comments:

Wendy said...

Oh, I think brand new little people are soooo interesting! Their reactions are precious. You don't think you can understand what they are feeling, but somehow you do!

I missed my grandson's birth by about an hour. I was upset, but babies come when they're ready - not when grandma dictates. However, a midwife had delivered the 6 lb. 12 oz. baby and I was present as she gave him his head-to-toe examination. Was I ever thrilled!! To be right there where all the action was! That kind of thing certainly didn't happen in my day!

You are so lucky to be working where you are. I'd love to read more baby stories when you feel like posting them.

Shannon said...

what a great post!

JeanMac said...

Aw, glad they have you to care for them.

MsGraysea said...

Beautiful post, Beverly. What an amazing job to have been doing for so many years; to touch those little lives in what I am sure is an indelible way.
Very fortunate babies to come in to your world, if even for a brief time!

Beverly said...

Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your work. After reading Nate's blog about Tricia and Gwyneth, it's neat to hear from the other side.

A Perfect Pandemonium said...

I just wanted to say you make me appreciate my little ones even more. I sometimes take for granted the time when they are little and I know I am lucky because I have always been able to be the first to feed my boys and hold my boys and I can't even imagine what it's like not to be able to!!

Oh, and in response to the comment you left a while back...so at least there is hope that one day, in the future, my boys might be able to give me a granddaughter!! That makes me happy! Then THEY can deal with them when they go through their hormonal teenage years and I can sit back and enjoy the good parts!!