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Katie87 - 01:05am Dec 18, 2011 EST

Hello- I am close to bringing my preemie home after almost four months in the NICU. I have a lot of family on both my husband and my side who are anxious to meet and see my baby. I'm terrified to expose her to people. I have let only my immediate family visit in the NICU and only my husband and I can hold her and touch her. I feel like she has been through sooo much already and it is my job to protect her and not let her end up back in the hospital due to sickness. Of course I am anxious to let people meet her but will put my foot down. How strict were you all? How did you approach family and friends to make them understand that these are not regular newborn babies and it's not just me being a crazy overprotective mother? I don't plan on taking her into any stores but will probably take her to my parent's house and my husband's parents house but that is it. I don't know if I can keep the grandparent's away much longer. Any advice???

(older msg: 5)

tucker'smom - Jan 4, 2012 9:59 pm (#6 Total: 6)

Mom to Tucker (27 weeker, 05/26/06)

Hello,

I think that the others have given you some great suggestions. We had a sign near Tucker, and we also had a sign on the bathroom mirror, haha. Just to remind them to wash their hands when they were done in there!

It is very nice of your dad to talk to the family for you, that is a good suggestion, to get another family member to be the "bad guy" if necessary. Our son spent 9 months in the NICU, so we didn't have to give any speeches. People were terrified that they would be the one to get him sick and send him back to the hospital. But just in case, my mom would announce to anyone and everyone: "wash your hands in the kitchen or bathroom before getting near the baby". That way I didn't have to say anything to my family members, which was nice.

I also got the hanging sign for the carseat and stroller, it looked like a stop sign. It would hang in an obvious spot so no one would mess with him at doctors appointments or in waiting rooms.

We were so excited to finally have Tucker home that we didn't wait at all for anyone to see him. Everyone followed the rules of only coming over when they were feeling well, and also of washing their hands, and he did not go back to the NICU.

Good luck!

Hugs,
Leigh

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