Tyler learned a new phrase this week: "Kangaroo Care"
Kangaroo Care is a way of holding an infant so there is direct skin-to-skin contact between the baby and parent. This is common practice for premature babies and is encouraged in many NICUs. The baby wears only a diaper and is held against the parent's bare chest. Not only does this promote bonding, but it has also been found to improve the development of preemies. According to researchers, some of the benefits to premature infants include more stable breathing, longer periods of sleep, more rapid weight gain, decreased crying, more rapid brain development, and earlier hospital discharge. It is called Kangaroo Care because it is similar to how a mother kangaroo carries her baby.
Because his breathing is still stable, Tyler is able to have kangaroo care time now. We sat on a rocking chair next to his isolette while his nurse took him out wearing just a diaper. He was then placed on our chest with a blanket to cover his back. Although the time limit will increase as he can control his own temperature, for now we are allowed to hold him for 20 minutes. And it was the quickest 20 minutes ever!
It is hard to explain the many feelings we got from this experience. As a mother, I felt like part of the huge hole in my heart was filled for a moment. It was like my body knew Tyler should still be inside. It felt like home and I didn't want to let him go. With Tyler on his chest, Andy looked as comfortable and calm and content as I've seen him in a long time. A real natural. It was like a dream for both of us, but when the 20 minutes was over, we were back to reality. And our reality right now means we can't hold our boys whenever we want to. But we remind ourselves that our babies are right where they need to be, even though our hearts tell us they should be at home with us. We think about how lucky we are that our boys are alive and breathing and growing. And until the day we walk out of the NICU as a family of 4 instead of 2, we will enjoy every minute with our baby kangaroos.
Tyler kept staring up at me the whole time
Andy had modified kangaroo care since he didn't have a cool tank top like me
Tyler was completely calm and breathing strong the entire time
3 comments:
What beautiful pictures!! Thanks for sharing all these precious moments with us; it helps fill the void from not being able to be with all of you. These writings will be quite a treasure for the boys to read someday. They will know that they were loved from day one, and have touched the hearts of so many as we all watch them grow. Two special boys for two special parents...what a blessing!!
Love to all,
Grandma Linda (or whatever they want to call me)
Great pictures, Bridge & Andy. Wonderful to see you both holding Tyler. It will be Max's turn soon, please God. Love, Nuala & Mac
Dear parents of the Jones' boys: You have two very lucky sons to hae been blessed with you as their Mom and Dad. Captain Kangaroo is the best yet. What a special feeling for both of you and for Tyler. Max is going to really love this too. Those twenty minutes must have felt like 20 secinds. Thanks for sharing with us and for inviting us right into your hearts and minds, which are equally beautiful.
Love,
Dad/Big Jim
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