Forums > Social Discussion > The power of an infant
Login/Join to ParticipateGOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
So I'm working in the Neonatal ICU. I'm taking care of teeny preemie babies...
Last night one of the kids was acting all fussy. I checked him out...he wasn't sick (he's one of our healthiest patients). He's been eating like a champ. He'd been burped. He didn't have a dirty butt. (If you had a dirty butt, you'd be upset, too!)
And so my clinical impression was to look at the nurses and say "I think he needs to be loved."
So I disconnected him from his monitors and bundled him tightly...and picked him up. And he nestled his head into the crook of my neck and I rocked him gently as I sat at the table and did my work with my free hand.
Here was this tiny little person, truly innocent and truly helpless...and his head was in the crook of my neck. I couldn't help it...I fell in love with the baby. His little gurgles and murmurs and his wriggles and squirms. I'm not such a baby person; I like kids age 3 and older. But this little kid just hit those buttons. And, as a side-effect...he quieted down immediately and fell fast asleep curled up against me. I was right...he just needed to be loved.
It's amazing how quickly it happens and how powerful a stimulus an infant is. The parents here can attest, I'm sure. Of course, for me, the benefit was that once the baby was asleep, I put him down and left the rest of his care to the nurses. I do change diapers and feed babies when I'm not busy with other work because it's food for the soul, but I love that I can give them back...
...for now, anyway.
So I'm working in the Neonatal ICU. I'm taking care of teeny preemie babies...
Last night one of the kids was acting all fussy. I checked him out...he wasn't sick (he's one of our healthiest patients). He's been eating like a champ. He'd been burped. He didn't have a dirty butt. (If you had a dirty butt, you'd be upset, too!)
And so my clinical impression was to look at the nurses and say "I think he needs to be loved."
So I disconnected him from his monitors and bundled him tightly...and picked him up. And he nestled his head into the crook of my neck and I rocked him gently as I sat at the table and did my work with my free hand.
Here was this tiny little person, truly innocent and truly helpless...and his head was in the crook of my neck. I couldn't help it...I fell in love with the baby. His little gurgles and murmurs and his wriggles and squirms. I'm not such a baby person; I like kids age 3 and older. But this little kid just hit those buttons. And, as a side-effect...he quieted down immediately and fell fast asleep curled up against me. I was right...he just needed to be loved.
It's amazing how quickly it happens and how powerful a stimulus an infant is. The parents here can attest, I'm sure. Of course, for me, the benefit was that once the baby was asleep, I put him down and left the rest of his care to the nurses. I do change diapers and feed babies when I'm not busy with other work because it's food for the soul, but I love that I can give them back...
...for now, anyway.
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
SILVER Member
veteran
1,286 posts
Location: My House, United Kingdom
veteran
1,286 posts
Location: My House, United Kingdom
Posted:
awww doc's gettin a bit broody, heh babies are cool, they can communicate without words, dont know hate, and do the funniest things!
(although ugly babies can be a bit scary at times)
awww doc's gettin a bit broody, heh babies are cool, they can communicate without words, dont know hate, and do the funniest things!
(although ugly babies can be a bit scary at times)
Proudly Owned By The BMVC
Are You Sniffing My Mitten?
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,785 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,785 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posted:
aaaaaaawwww
aaaaaaawwww
Stalking amidst the desert, carrying an oversized scalpel...
1,019 posts
Location: Huddersfield + Hull Uni... UK.
1,019 posts
Location: Huddersfield + Hull Uni... UK.
Posted:
I hate children...
I hate children...
Willy - is bad for your health...
analytic
503 posts
Location: bristol
503 posts
Location: bristol
Posted:
you have no soul . . .
you have no soul . . .
ture na sig
BRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,762 posts
Location: York University, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,762 posts
Location: York University, United Kingdom
Posted:
:dito:
Love kids. Going into teaching, so I'll have to deal with them when they hit puberty and develope a mouth. Maybe I should've gone for nursing instead
:dito:
Love kids. Going into teaching, so I'll have to deal with them when they hit puberty and develope a mouth. Maybe I should've gone for nursing instead
After much consideration, I find that the view is worth the asphyxiation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
Where I had my first baby was a small hospital in a rural area... they hadn't gotten as far as high tech care for premmies or other 'high care' newbies. (shipped em away if they needed seriously serious care like operations). Their standard treatment was to wrap them up and have a nurse aid cuddle them all day. Worked a treat!
Where I had my first baby was a small hospital in a rural area... they hadn't gotten as far as high tech care for premmies or other 'high care' newbies. (shipped em away if they needed seriously serious care like operations). Their standard treatment was to wrap them up and have a nurse aid cuddle them all day. Worked a treat!
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
i keep hoping that when i become a mother i will get all those hormones that make me not hate the thing when its below one year of age....
i keep hoping that when i become a mother i will get all those hormones that make me not hate the thing when its below one year of age....
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
SILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
Posted:
I've an old friend who used to be very psychologically unstable, until she had a gorgeous little girl... it sorted her head out, I think up to that point she had spent her whole life feeling like she couldn't bring herself to love someone else completely in case she got hurt. She was blessed with a little girl who has such a kind, curious, loving nature and my friend is so, so happy now.
I only get broody when I talk to her, seeing the love they share is overwhelming.
I've an old friend who used to be very psychologically unstable, until she had a gorgeous little girl... it sorted her head out, I think up to that point she had spent her whole life feeling like she couldn't bring herself to love someone else completely in case she got hurt. She was blessed with a little girl who has such a kind, curious, loving nature and my friend is so, so happy now.
I only get broody when I talk to her, seeing the love they share is overwhelming.
Idolized by Aurinoko
Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....
Bob Dylan
Stalking amidst the desert, carrying an oversized scalpel...
1,019 posts
Location: Huddersfield + Hull Uni... UK.
1,019 posts
Location: Huddersfield + Hull Uni... UK.
Posted:
So I like to think.
Written by: quiet
you have no soul . . .
So I like to think.
Willy - is bad for your health...
SILVER Member
Are you up for it??
349 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Are you up for it??
349 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted:
doc lightning - you're dead on with picking up the baby. After having 3 children - all being 2 months prem, one of the key things that the nurses in the Special care unit did was to make sure that parents held & cuddled the child especially whilst tube feeding. They did it too while the parents weren't there (not too much) to make sure that the babies didn't miss out. The only ones that couldn't were the ones in the NICU (intensive care)
It makes such a difference to both the baby & the parents - it's very hard to leave hospital knowing your baby is staying there.
Good on you - keep up the good work oh & wait til you get that feeling with your own child one day
doc lightning - you're dead on with picking up the baby. After having 3 children - all being 2 months prem, one of the key things that the nurses in the Special care unit did was to make sure that parents held & cuddled the child
especially whilst tube feeding. They did it too while the parents weren't there (not too much) to make sure that the babies didn't miss out. The only ones that couldn't were the ones in the NICU (intensive care) It makes such a difference to both the baby & the parents - it's very hard to leave hospital knowing your baby is staying there.
Good on you - keep up the good work
oh & wait til you get that feeling with your own child one day Are you up for it?;)
addict
422 posts
Location: London
422 posts
Location: London
Posted:
Yey babies are strong little critters, my brother and hisgirlfriend just had there first child 2 1/2 months prem and it hasnt been going well, but the little fighter wont give in and is slowley gaining strength
Yey babies are strong little critters, my brother and hisgirlfriend just had there first child 2 1/2 months prem and it hasnt been going well, but the little fighter wont give in and is slowley gaining strength
There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers...
The artist formerly known as Phae'xorl.
145 posts
Location: South-East Ohio (the foothills of the Appalacian M...
145 posts
Location: South-East Ohio (the foothills of the Appalacian M...
Posted:
As the father of an eight month old I can attest to the power of a happy, cuddley baby. My daughter Fiona has cheered many a sad person up. And Doc, I agree sometimes all a baby needs is love (don't we all though sometimes?).
As the father of an eight month old I can attest to the power of a happy, cuddley baby. My daughter Fiona has cheered many a sad person up. And Doc, I agree sometimes all a baby needs is love (don't we all though sometimes?).
"...heaven is ordering a six piece chicken nugget and getting seven...and a switchblade."
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
awwwwwww..... thats the cutest thing ive heard in ages.... awwwww!!! xxx
awwwwwww..... thats the cutest thing ive heard in ages.... awwwww!!! xxx
tHeReS gOoD aNd EvIl iN EaCh InDiViDuAl fIrE, iDeNtIfIeS nEeDs AnD fEeDs OuR dEsIrEs.
The artist formerly known as Phae'xorl.
145 posts
Location: South-East Ohio (the foothills of the Appalacian M...
145 posts
Location: South-East Ohio (the foothills of the Appalacian M...
Posted:
Shh, I've got a rep to uphold y'know!
Shh, I've got a rep to uphold y'know!
"...heaven is ordering a six piece chicken nugget and getting seven...and a switchblade."
GOLD Member
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom
Posted:
My 4mth old was only a day early but she was tiny! She weighed 6lb 6oz. you forget how small they are in the beginning, their noses still squashed against their faces awwwwwwww
and as I write this, my li'l one is on my knee, dribbling onto my hand and lap.
Nice!
My 4mth old was only a day early but she was tiny! She weighed 6lb 6oz. you forget how small they are in the beginning, their noses still squashed against their faces awwwwwwww
and as I write this, my li'l one is on my knee, dribbling onto my hand and lap.
Nice!
Always use "so's your face" and "only on Tuesdays" in as many conversations possible
BRONZE Member
I wear yellow on monday
551 posts
Location: Farnham Ahoy, United Kingdom
I wear yellow on monday
551 posts
Location: Farnham Ahoy, United Kingdom
Posted:
ahhhhh, now i feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
hugs all round
ahhhhh, now i feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
hugs all round
You'll find me on the dance floor
member
41 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
41 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Posted:
Right on doc L
I've read/heard somewhere that premature babies who are caressed or cuddled while they are in the premature care unit both gain weight faster and are released earlier than babies that aren't.
The doc may want to make some comment on this, but it makes perfect sense to me. Love nutures and encourages growth. Bigs for everyone
Right on doc L
I've read/heard somewhere that premature babies who are caressed or cuddled while they are in the premature care unit both gain weight faster and are released earlier than babies that aren't.
The doc may want to make some comment on this, but it makes perfect sense to me. Love nutures and encourages growth. Big
s for everyone "I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by" - Douglas Adams
BRONZE Member
I wear yellow on monday
551 posts
Location: Farnham Ahoy, United Kingdom
I wear yellow on monday
551 posts
Location: Farnham Ahoy, United Kingdom
Posted:
i can see the begginings of the huggyest loveyest thread ever
here, have some more
i can see the begginings of the huggyest loveyest thread ever
here, have some more
You'll find me on the dance floor
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com