My Baby's Wearing Clothes!

Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Guess what I came home to from slogging it out for twelve long hours at work to seeing on AngelEye:

My baby's wearing clothes!

For full-term babies, that's not exactly a big deal. I'm a preemie dad, so seeing Caeli in a sleeper is monumental. It means that she is keeping the weight she has gained, and is now beginning to regulate her own body temperature. After two months of seeing her only in a diaper, my daughter can be dressed in her preemie clothes!

Sleeping beauty at two months old growing up before our eyes

I cannot contain the excitement. Hallelujah! (Now say "my baby's wearing clothes!" the same way Martin Lawrence talked about his mama's biscuits. That's where I am.)

When can preemies wear clothes? 

• Her skin is fully developed. While we've been able to kangaroo care since two weeks, Caeli's skin was still too thin for cottons and polyesters. 
• She's stable! Until the baby's cardiac, respiratory, and digestive systems are stable, nurses and doctors need to keep her chest bare so that it's easy to assess and see.
• Umbilical cord lines are removed.
• IV and PICC lines are no problem. Some outfits have special flaps that open to allow for IV lines, and others can be made to work around those lines. 
• To wash preemie clothes:  They should go in warm or hot water in a smoke-free environment using detergent that is perfume and dye-free. Dreft is a commonly recommended brand that can be found almost everywhere. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are discouraged due to sensitive skin and delicate respiratory systems. 

Don't get it twisted now. Just because Caeli can wear clothes doesn't mean for everyone to dash over to Babies R Us for preemie or newborn outfits and stock up her bodysuits and dresses. She's going to keep growing meaning that we can anticipate the bigger sizes in the not-too-distant future.

In the meantime...my beautiful baby will be able to stay warm in her outfits. For us and most parents, the benefits are twinfold:  less stress and improved bonding. Our daughter is wearing clothes like a big girl - I just hope she's not asking for a new car anytime soon.

While we know the NICU journey isn't over, we thank you for your continued prayers from the bottom of our hearts from late January to today. We love you all and stay #CaeliStrong!