Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Thanksgiving Holidays!

Each day we give thanks for the wonderful opportunity we have been given to be parents.

As the holiday season nears, we would like to give our preemie parents, grandparents, families and friends the opportunity to share what they are most thankful for.

We have created a "Giving Thanks" section on our wesite to post each of the submission we receive. This will be the first year for Giving Thanks post and we would love to hear from each of you. You can submit your entry by emailing us ( contactus@preemieproud.com ) or posting to this blog.

If you have a moment, please take the time to share your experiences with others who may be traveling the same road you are.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Fight For Preemies

November is Prematurity Awareness Month®!

Join the fight for preemies and help the March of Dimes®!

Unfortunately, we all know someone or have heard of someone that has had a preemie. You may be a preemie parent yourself. November 17th is the day to reach out to preemies everywhere and join the fight.

According to the March of Dimes®, prematurity rates are have been steadily rising over the last 20 years and continue to do so today. We know that a premature birth can happen to any pregnant woman. One in every 8 babies in the USA are born too early and face an increase risk of medical complications, long NICU stays, lasting disabilities or even death.

What we continue not to know is how to prevent premature births from happening in the first place. One organization that it making stride in that area is the March of Dimes®. Professionals, volunteers, advocates, etc. are all working to find ways to help these pre-term babies. Can you be a part of the fight? Of course, go to the March of Dimes homepage http://www.marchofdimes.com/ and volunteer or donate to the cause.

If you are pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant, the March of Dimes® has a whole section dedicated to women with signs of preterm labor, ways of reducing your risk, and things to think about during pregnancy.

Parents of preemies that are NICU residents now can check out their "Parenting in the NICU" section of families and continue to use the resources once your child is at home. Having been through the NICU experience personally, we know that it can be very stressful for parents. The roller coaster of emotions, good days and bad days, unanswered questions and uncertainty can take their toll. The Parenting Section is a great resource for parents.

Share your story! The March of Dimes® gives you a way to share your story with others. Create a blog or post to the online community for NICU Parents. There are others that are traveling the same road that you are and can help.....or just listen.

So join the fight for premature babies! Help us raise awareness this month!


Be "Preemie Proud!"












Monday, October 19, 2009

Thank You! Thank You!

Before the week gets too busy we wanted to take a minute to say "Thank You" to our wonderful customers! Upon returning to work this morning, we had several orders to fill and emails to reply to. Your continual support of our website www.preemieproud.com is truly appreciated. We are continuing to grow and are working hard to help the parents of preemie babies. Without your continual visits to our website, we would not be able to do what we do!
Thank You!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Holidays are Coming!

Each year since the birth of our daughter, our family has been making "goody" bags to take to the families of preemie babies that are in the NICU on Christmas morning. The first couple of years we did these bags personally. In the last few years, we have started providing "goody bags" a couple times a year (including Christmas still) from our business Preemie Proud & of course, Braleigh. She is the reason we do all of this!!!

The response we receive from the NICU staff and parents who receive our goodies are overwhelming. Parents are so grateful that someone has remembered their child on Christmas morning. Emails and phone calls usually follow the next few days. The NICU staff always welcome our donations.

So.....once again, we are preparing for our (15) Annual Christmas NICU Tote Bags. Each year they seem to grow. We are hoping to include items such as preemie size clothes (our NICU usually doesn't have tiny, tiny babies), preemie hats, mitts, socks, blankets, photo albums, lotions, hand sanitizer, snacks, bottle water, mints, notebooks or journals for parents to record milestones and other important information, etc......the list can go on and on.

We are reaching out to our community this year for assistance to help make this years' bags better than ever.

If you would like to donote something to these wonderful NICU bags, please purchase something at our store and in the comment area let us know what items you would like to contribute to this cause. We will ship the rest of your order to you and keep the donated item in our donation collection bin until these bags are assembled.

New Items (with tags) purchased elsewhere can be mailed to our mailing address. If you would like to contribute, contact us for mailing information. All of your help is appreciated!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

What Are Some Nice NICU Gifts?

Talking to parents of preemies over the last few years has allowed us to compile of list of useful items that moms and dads have received (as gifts) for their premature baby while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. They range in price and some are as simple as offering to cook a meal or drive a new mom to the hospital. Don't be afraid to be a gift for a preemie. Moms of preemies like to have acknowledgement of the birth of their baby just like ordinary newborn moms.

Below is a list of some of the preemie gift ideas we have heard over the last few years.

Preemie Clothes
Preemie Diapers - sometimes hard to find in small areas
Gift Certificates for resturants around the hospital area
A Notebook for friends or family to write in when they visit or for notes to baby from parent
CD of lullabies- some NICUs allow music to be played in baby's isollete
Offer to prepare a meal for the new parents and family.
Delivery a gift basket of food to new mom or dad
Pay a housekeeper to clean new parents home or offer to help out around the house yourself.
Zaky infant pillow - NICU positioning aid
Baby Story book
Personalized Blanket
Disposable Camera - Preemies change in appears so much. You can never have too many pictures. Parents are photo graph their child throughout the NICU journey.
Calling cards to update family and friends during hospital stay.
Slippers
Hand Sanitizer
Lotions - Washing (Scrubbing) each time you enter the NICU works on your hands pretty quickly. Lotion is always welcoming to dry, over-washed hands.
Notepad or Telephone/Address Book for parents to keep all important telephone numbers in
Snacks for hospital stay or visit (Gum, mints, peanuts, trail mix, bottled water, etc)
Magazines or crossword puzzle books
Asprin
Change for vending machines
Small stuffed animal for baby's incubator or open crib
Photo frame or albums
Pre-made Scrapbook Pages
Baby Thank You Notes - Mom may not have time to run out and get her own, but can fill them out while sitting in the hospital during her free time.
Offer to drive or provide transportation to hospital
Easy portable meals
NICU Milestone Calendar
Gas Cards - gas bills add up especially if your child is in a NICU located somewhere other than your hometown.
BurpClothes
Travel Necessities - tooth brush, toothpaste, kleenex, etc
Cooler Bag for expressing breast milk to hospital
Tote Bag for carrying everything to the hospital each day

Wow! That is some list and we know there are hundreds of other ideas out there. If you have an idea that is not listed, email us and tell us about it. contactus@preemieproud.com

We love to hear from you!

Monday, September 21, 2009

New Arrivals from Preemie-Yums

Yes, our shipment of micro preemie clothing, preemie apparel and preemie accessories have arrived from Preemie-Yums. We finished listing all of the items over the weekend. Please take a look and see what is new.

Here are some of the items we added:

Micro Preemie NICU Wrap Dresses - Pink, Purple or Floral
Micro Preemie Leggings, LS Shirt and Hat Sets - for Girls and Boys
Micro Preemie NICU Wraps- for Boys and Girls (that includes Camo too!)
Micro Preemie Day Gowns and Hats- Blue, Pink, or White

Preemie 3pc Footed Pant Set
Preemie Layette Sets for Boys or Girls
Preemie RoseBud Thermal 2pc Clothing set
Preemie Scratch Mitts - 2 new colors! Now available in yellow and mint as well as pink, blue and white,

There is always something new going on at www.preemieproud.com . Come visit us!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

New Arrivals - Chuckleberries

Our new Chuckleberries order has arrived. We will be adding new micro preemie and preemie clothing items and accessories to our website throughout the day.

These items have already been added:
Micro preemie booties
Preemie Booties
Preemie Socks - new style (in three colors)
Micro preemie diaper shirts
Micro Preemie NICU dresses
Micro Preemie diaper cover and shirt sets
Micro Preemie Sleeper / Coverall

More preemie items to come! Keep watching and visit us @ www.preemieproud.com to see what is new!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Preemie Camoflauge (Camo) Items

New micro preemie camo clothing items ( for girls and boys ) will be arriving by the end of this week! Just in time for the upcoming fall season! Visit www.preemieproud.com

Look for:

Micro Preemie Green Camo NICU Wraps w/ matching Green Camo Hats
Micro Preemie Pink Camo NICU Wraps w/ matching Pink Camo Hats
Micro Preemie X-Long T-Shirts (Gown) w/ matching Camo Hats

Blue Camo NICU Wraps are currently in stock now @ www.preemieproud.com !

New Daddy's will love these items for the new "little hunter" in their lives!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Always a Sale!

A manufacturer asked us just recently "do you always have a sale going on?" Our response was simple.

"Yes!"

Even if there is no holiday, a new baby is always reason enough to celebrate and run a sale. We love being able to provide micro preemie and preemie items to new parents or friends and family looking for a gift for the new angel in their life.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Preemie-Yums & Chuckleberries

We are anxiously awaiting our next shipment of micro preemie and preemie items from both Preemie-Yums and Chuckleberries. Keep watching for:
Micro Preemie NICU Dresses
Micro Preemie Wrap Dresses
Micro Preemie Booties
Preemie Booties
Preemie Clothing
Micro Preemie accessories
Preemie Layette Sets
Special Occassion outfits
and more!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Micro Preemie Clothes - Are They Needed or Not?

As a mom, to a former micro preemie, my answer to this debated question is simple. YES! YES! YES! Micro Preemie NICU Clothing is needed! (for a few reasons)

Most micro preemie babies spend their first few days on warming bed and then transfer to an isollete or incubator as they become more stable. So technically, these tiny premature infants do not have to have clothes and often cannot be dressed during the times they are unstable, requiring constant medical care and access. Therefore, warming beds and incubators help the premature baby to keep their body temperature a little more regulated. Does this seem like a contradiction to my answer above? It isn't....read on.

As micro preemies become more stable, most Neonatal Intensive Care Units will allow new parents to dress their babies as long as their health allows. For anyone that has not personally been through the emotional NICU Journey, I'm not sure you can fully understand the roller coaster ride parents take while watching their new baby struggle each day for the very life you want so desparetly for them to have. Each day you struggle with not being able to provide for your child, like not being able to hold them, change them, bath them or feed them at will. Waiting and watching....You feel HELPLESS! But one day, you walk into the Neonatal Unit and your baby has made a milestone! (Milestones are huge in the NICU) He or she is stable and strong enough to be dress. As a parent, you can now bring in tiny hats or NICU friendly clothes for your preemie to wear. And...if you are lucky, you may get to change them or dress them during your daily visits. You may also be allowed to bring blankets, socks, and booties for them. What a day! A milestone is reached, your new little angel is stronger AND you now have something that you (as parents) can actively take part in. You can be a part of your child's day to day care!

So the first reason micro preemie clothes are needed is simple: THE PARENTS! It means so much to be able to dress your child! it may be the most emotionally important reason of all!

Even though these tiniest preemies often are in incubators to help regulate their body temperature, NICU clothing, hats, booties and socks may help infants to hold onto some of their body heat.

If you have a family member or friend with a new micro preemie, clothing would be an excellent gift. It will do a world of good for the parents!

How do you know what to buy? Look for NICU Apparel that is hospital friendly and nurse friendly. These garments are easier for the medical staff to use. They often allow quicker access to premature infants by having Velcro® closures or snaps.

Here is a list of some suggested micro preemie items:
*Hats
*Socks or Booties
*Micro Preemie Size Blankets
*NICU T-Shirts or Isollete Tops
*IV Shirts
*NICU Wraps
*NICU Gowns / Day Gowns
*NICU Diaper Shirts
*NICU Diaper Covers

These items and more can be found at our website http://www.preemieproud.com/ . Please feel free to email us questions if you have any concerning micro preemie clothes. contactus@preemieproud.com

What is your opinion or experiences on this subject? Please feel free to post your thoughts on micro preemie clothes.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

New Arrivals

Oh, So Sweet!
Our newest shipment of micro preemie wraps, preemie diaper covers, micro preemie nicu shirts, micro preemie nicu diaper shirts, preemie nicu t-shirts, preemie booties, micro preemie strech caps, micro preemie scratch mitts, etc have arrived from Chuckleberries! We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our micro preemie nicu coveralls or sleepers. They are scheduled for arrival early next week!
Come see what is new at www.preemieproud.com .
One of our new favorites is Chuckleberries Micro Preemie NICU Dress! http://preemieproud.com/micro-preemie-nicu-dress.html Oh, so Sweet!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Preemie-Yums© Arrival

Our new order of Micro Preemie NICU Wraps and Preemie Wraps have arrived from Preemie-Yums© and have been added to our website. Come see what is new at www.preemieproud.com .

This shipment of NICU Wraps included the always popular camo wraps. They are back in stock!!

WWW.PREEMIEPROUD.COM

Monday, May 25, 2009

Thank You!

We at Preemie Proud would like to take the opportunity to say "THANK YOU" to all of our returning customers. It is a pleasure to speak to you on the phone & correspond with you through your emails. We love hearing updates about the "tiny miracles" in your life.
Please know that you continue to be in our thoughts and prayers!
With Many Thanks,
Preemie Proud Staff

Anxiously Awaiting!

We are anxiously awaiting a new arrival of Chuckleberries micro preemie clothing, preemie apparel, and preemie accessories. They should be arriving any day now!
Please be sure to check back and view our new items once they arrive. We will be sure to add them to our website as soon as possible!
You can visit us at www.preemieproud.com !
Hope to see you there!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Our Micro Preemie Graduates!

Wow! Where has the last 5 1/2 yrs gone?
Our micro preemie graduated from Pre-K today!
It's hard to believe that 5 1/2 yrs ago she was fighting to survive and today she walked down the aisle to "Pomp and Circumstance" for the first time. I'll be honest, I cried like a baby! We could not be prouder!

She is the reason and inspiration for www.preemieproud.com
Today, once again.....we are Preemie Proud.
Congratulations Braleigh! Way to go!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

People Magazine

People Magazine's May 18th issue will feature a story of 6 individuals that were born. between 1986-1990, as early as 25 weeks gestationally and how they are now functioning and thriving in society as adults .

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Thank You! Thank You!

Thank you for your patience! We have been adding new inventory over the past couple of days and will hopefully finish up Monday! We have added new preemie clothing sets today before heading home for the weekend. Monday we will complete our micro preemie 3pc clothing sets.

For those that are checking back periodically. We have added Micro Preemie NICU Wrap Dresses this week, along with Micro Preemie NICU Wraps, Micro Preemie XLong Tee Sets, Preemie Sets, and a few accessories. Check out what is new at www.preemieproud.com .

Have a great weekend! See you Monday! Happy Mother's Day!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

They are HERE!!

We have begun added new MICRO PREEMIE NICU XLONG TEE Sets to our website. They just arrived today. We will be adding more tomorrow!!!!
Also, we have received more of the MICRO PREEMIE NICU WRAP DRESSES in pink, floral and solid white. They will also be added to our site tomorrow!!
Come see what is new @ www.preemieproud.com .

Monday, April 27, 2009

Anxiously Awaiting!

We are anxiously awaiting our next shipment of micro preemie and preemie clothing and preemie accessories from Preemie-Yums and Chuckleberries! Please keep checking back and watiching for new preemie items to be added to our website once they arrive. You can visit us at www.preemieproud.com .

Have a great day!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Sale! Sale! Sale!

SALE! SALE! SALE!
Come visit www.preemieproud.com !
Every item in our store is on sale! Check out our sale prices!
Sale includes all micro preemie and preemie items -
clothing and accessories included!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Preemie Bibs

We have had customers asking about personalized Preemie Bibs.
Now we have them!
We are glad to announce that we have added premature baby bibs to our inventory that can be personalized and would make great gift ideas to for the premature baby in your life. Be sure to check them out @ www.preemieproud.com . They can be located on our micro preemie and preemie acessories page.
Come check them out!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Jump Starting Our New Blog!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We have decided to try a new approach to help jump start our new preemie blog.

Post your child's story, picture, etc on our preemie blog and receive a 10% off coupon code for your next purchase at our store http://www.preemieproud.com/ . Coupon code is valid through April 19th, 2009.

It's easy! Sign in to our preemie blog, make your entry and then shop, shop, shop. Enter coupon code: BL0409 during checkout for 10% off the amount of your purchased items.
(If you have already placed an order today and have just found out about the 10% off coupon code, please email us contactus@preemieproud.com to see if your order has been processed. If it hasn't, we'll manually add the coupon code for you - allowing you the take advantage of this offer.) Can not be combined with any other coupon or promotion.

We would love to hear about your new, miracle preemie!
Let's get started!
All comments, post and questions are welcomed as long as they are not offensive!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Organic Premature Baby Clothes


They have arrived!

We are pleased to annouce a new select line of Organic Premature Baby Clothes at http://www.preemieproud.com/This wonderful line includes Micro Preemie NICU Shirts, Preemie T-Shirt, Preemie Pants, and more. We look forward to seeing how our customers like this new line by Sprout.

Friday, March 27, 2009

COMING SOON!!!

We are so excited to announce that Preemie Proud will be adding a select line of organic micro preemie and preemie clothes to our website. We have been in contact with the manufacturer and our items have shipped and should be arriving within a week. (If all of this bad weather doesn't slow them down). We are looking forward to adding them into our inventory very soon!
Check back with us to view our new collection @ www.preemieproud.com . We can't wait to see you there!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Our Miracle Micro Preemie's Story

Along Came Braleigh!

Braleigh’s story is a series of miracles in our lives. After being told I could not have children at age 19, her conception was the first miracle we were given. I was told that if I did get pregnant they (Drs) didn’t know how long I could carry a pregnancy. From day one my pregnancy was considered high risk and we saw the doctor at least twice a month. A tremendous amount of swelling started at 5 wks . I know swelling is often normal during pregnancy, but my swelling was excessive. I had high blood pressure (along with other things) before pregnancy and of course it was an ongoing issue.

On a sunny day, toward the end of October, I started spotting and called my doctor immediately. I was told to come quickly to his office and he would see me. I called my husband and that’s were Braleigh enters the picture. After being sent the hospital for testing, my husband and I were told that I would remain in the hospital on bed rest until my delivery. My ob/gyn was hoping to extend my pregnancy for about 6-10 weeks by doing full best rest and medical supervision.However, by the next night, everything had taken a downward turn. I was in need of delivery to save my life as well the life of my daughter. My baby was going to have to be delivered 11 weeks early and would spend her first weeks on life as a resident in the NICU.

She was born weighing in 2 lbs 14oz. & 15 inches long. As many micro preemie’s, our daughter went through the commonly known problems associated with prematurity. We experienced respiratory problem and had to be put on the vent for a spell, oxygen, infections, blood transfusions, bradicardia and apnea spells, feeding tube, etc. After seven long weeks in the nicu, finally our daughter was coming home with us!

Today she is a healthy & happy five yr old with no known speech, language, or physical delays!

We are Preemie Proud!

Welcome to Preemie Proud's Preemie Blog



Preemie Proud has just started its on Preemie Blog.

We would love to hear about your new premature baby. Share your baby's story, trials, and milestones. Ask questions that other preemie parents may be able to help you with. Or just keep in touch with Preemie Friends.


Let's Get Started!

Be the first to publish a post to our Preemie Proud Preemie Blog!