Little Bug will be 4 weeks old on Wednesday. She has overcome much in her 4 weeks of life.

As I have mentioned before, Little Bug’s birth mom was on a prescription drug during pregnancy. When she was born Little Bug had to go to the NICU to be monitored for withdrawal symptoms.

The main thing Little Bug needed was routine and as little stimulation as possible so her nervous system could begin the healing process from chemical exposure in uterro.

We were told she would be in the NICU anywhere from 5 days to 3 months. She was released to come home after only 5 days in the NICU.

However, her withdrawal symptoms are something that we are still dealing with almost 4 weeks after her birth.

Yesterday we went to see the physical therapist. The therapist was wonderful and really took the time to explain to us in great detail what Little Bug is going through. She said that because of the exposure to chemicals in utero, Little Bug’s nervous system is extremely sensitive and she is still very easily overly stimulated.

Little Bug still needs low stimulation. The therapist explained that once Little Bug was born she was suddenly stimulated by all 5 senses – touch, sight, smell, taste and sound. Little Bug very easily can be bombarded by all of these senses and her little immature-trying-to-recover-from chemicals-nervous system just goes on overdrive.

“Low stimulation” means that she still must be held mostly by Dave and me. Passing her around from person to person is too stimulating for Little Bug at this time.

Eating is a very stimulating activity for any baby. When we feed Little Bug we are to cut out as many of the sight, smell, sound and touch senses as possible. Best case scenario would be to feed Little Bug in a dimly lit, very quiet room.

Sleep is extremely important for Little Bug. It is while she is sleeping that her body is able to grow and repair itself. While she is sleeping we are to let her sleep and not touch her and make her environment as unstimulating as possible.

As the therapist was telling us all this I (of course) immediately panicked thinking I had been doing everything wrong with Little Bug because we had eased up on trying to not stimulate her and had been more lenient in allowing other people besides the two of us hold her. The therapist told me that because I had said I had her in the sling at my parent’s house for Father’s Day instead of letting her be passed around she knew I was “being smart” with her.

The therapist described specific signs that show Little Bug is over stimulated. We have seen all of these signs in Little Bug and now that we know what she does when she is over stimulated we will better be able to help her.

It is especially hard for me for family and friends to not be able to hold Little Bug as much as I know they would like. But at the same time I am Little Bug’s mother and I WILL do what is best for her. And right now following these guidelines is what is best for her.

While all of this information was extremely overwhelming to take in yesterday, there is wonderful news!

All of this is TEMPORARY! It is just a matter of time and Little Bug’s nervous system will mature and all of this will be in the past. But for now, it is extremely important that we follow the guidelines of Little Bug’s doctors and therapist so she can fully recover.

Here are some specific prayer requests:

1. Pray for Little Bug’s immature nervous system. Pray for complete healing and maturity as each day goes by.

2. Pray for Dave and me as we seek to do what is best for Little Bug.

3. Pray for wisdom in knowing what Little Bug needs when.

*****

My new best friend???

This sling!

This is the first week I am flying solo with Little Bug. I am very fortunate to have a mother and mother-in-law willing to help out but the reality of the situation is I can’t just lie on the couch every single day of week holding Little Bug while others take care of my house!

So when it is Little Bug and me plus a sink full of dirty bottles and piles of laundry … in the sling she goes if she is wanting Mommy to hold her and Mommy is needing to get those things done!

LIFESAVER!

PS: Sorry for the corny picture but I am by myself and that was the best way to get that shot! :)

*****

Pray for Little Bug!

- Elaine