My first bath

Cayden spent a bit of time at the Spa at the University of Colorado NICU last night!  Nurse Megan gave him his first real bath and he seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.  He didn't particularly like having his leads removed because the adhesive was stuck pretty good to his delicate skin, but once she got them off and put him in the tiny tub (a plastic basin lined with wash cloths), he totally relaxed.  She washed his body first then took him out to dry him off in a big warm towel.  Next, a shampoo and rub-dry.  Holding his wrapped body like a football with his head over the basin, she wet his hair with a warm washcloth.  She used a tiny bit of soap and a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub and he just LOVED it!  His eyes drooped at half-mast and you could tell he was completely enjoying the experience.  After his head massage, she rinsed with another warm wet wash cloth then gently rubbed his hair dry with another cloth.  Finally, she wiped his eyes, mouth, and face with a sterile saline wipe.  Clean as can be! 

I don't know if I was much help - I was nervous just watching her!  He looked so floppy and slippery.  She assured me that once you realize they aren't as breakable as they appear, it's really pretty easy to bathe preemies.

I took some video of the event and will try to upload it on this page somewhere. 
(Try this link: Shampoo video)
I wanted to get some footage of him crying but missed the moment.  Most moms hate to see their babies cry, but I was overcome with joy hearing his surprisingly strong cries of disapproval at having the leads removed.

Nurse Megan said that most preemies are so relaxed after a bath that they can barely keep their eyes open.  We kangarood for an hour afterwards and she was right - he snuggled in and didn't budge the entire time!

His weight was up another ounce last night to 3 lbs. 1 oz.