My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Connect with others and find premature birth support.

Premature birth

Childminder need advice from mothers on caring for a premature baby

3 replies

tetti · 30/09/2008 20:05

Hi There!

I have just taken on a little boy of 9 months who was 2.5 months premature.
I do have some concerns though as he's got chronic lungdisease(he developed bronchitis a while back and is now on inhalers,though he could go home after 2 days in hospital,having recieved oxygen for the duration of his stay)

What I am worried about is if it's possible that his condition could worsen fast whilst being in my care.
My old child goes to school,and she need sto be dropped and collected,and I have two other children whom I look after(also premature,although they are now in perfect health).
Should this little child suddenly be taken ill I just could not drop whatever I was doing to take him to hospital as I have other children in my care,and that is what worries me.

How did you deal with leaving your children with childminders/nurseries when returning to work again?(as in would you expect the carer to take your child to hospital,or what would you do?,for example,did you agree that the carer would call the hospital should your child fall ill,and for you to come and collect your child from the carer?),and how has it worked out?

Sorry if some of my questions may seem a bit clueless,but I really feel a bit apprehensive looking after this gorgeous little boy,should he suddenly become very poorly.
I am trained in first aid,and thank god I have not had to use it in practice yet,but I really want to be sure what I am getting myself in for,more than anything for the sake of this little boy.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated/
Many Thanks

OP posts:
Report
anonandlikeit · 30/09/2008 21:11

Hi Tetti, i've always used a childminder for both of mys ds's.
DS2 was born at 28 wks & had chronic lung disease, now much improved (he's 5 now), more like your run of the mill asthma these days.
I am sure every child is different but with ds2 his CLD never worsoned so rapidly that immediate hospital admission was required.
He was his normal self, OK maintained on inhalers etc for the most part but would be effected by colds etc very severely. He also was worse during the winter months & particularly bad during damp mornings & evenings, a foggy morning would have him coughing & wheezing but he also would recover quickly once back in the warm.

For my ds2 feeding times were the most troublesome because he found it very difficult to co-ordinate, sucking, swallowing & breathing. It could take a very long time to feed him a small bottle & he wad to be watched closely as he could struggle for oxygen & start turning a little blue!
Although my ds2 does ahve other long term issues associated with his prematurity that may not be the case with this little boy.

As I say, they are all different, its important that you are honest with the parent about your concerns she may be able to put your mind at ease very easily, or at the very least have a quick & clear point of contact should the baby become unwell.

I am sure that the mother would not be leaving her baby if she were not confident that he is tough enough to cope with being in an environment with other children as this is one of the biggest risks for a prem baby particularly with CLD.

Report
tetti · 30/09/2008 21:20

Hi there,

Thank you so much for your reply,it's really helped to put me more at ease.
I just want to be sure that I can give this little boy the best possible care,so it's great to hear from a parent with a premature child who's been with a childminder.

I will definetly voice my concerns with the mother when I speak to her next,and make sure that we are both clear with the procedure that should be taken(in the event that he would ever become ill whilst in my care)

Thank's again:-)

OP posts:
Report
anonandlikeit · 30/09/2008 21:59

no problem

Our childminder was Wonderful, she made going back to work so much easier & ds2 loves her.
Good luck with the baby.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.