Milestones and Special Events to Record in Your Preemie's Memory Book
A few ideas to reference that may be applicable for you to record on your own as they occur, day by day or week by week.
Do not forget to remember...
- First time heard cry
- First time saw a tear
- First time able to change diaper
- First time able to wear clothes
- First time able to touch
- First time able to see baby with no tubes, tape, etc.
- NICU Neighbors
- Respiratory needs
- Surgeries
- Medications
- Blood gases
- Vital signs, monitoring or bradiacardia
- X-Rays, scans or other test
- Nicknames given to your preemie
- Any type of graduation (NICU to Grad Unit, isolette to crib, tube to bottle feeding, etc.)
- Learning to suck, swallow and breath
- Temperature changes
- Impact on siblings
- Living arrangements during NICU stay
- Hospital / NICU transfers
- APGAR scoring
- Nutrition issues
- Neurological issues
- Cardiac issues
- Measurements (ex. head circumference)
- Any Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) issues
- Therapy, developmental progress, continuing challenges