Morning at the Children's Hospital

This morning, I was able to join Clinton and Christina on their weekly visit to the children's hospital here in Uzhhorod. At the hospital, there are two rooms set aside for babies with no family to go home to. The parents may have decided they did not want to keep their baby, the court may have sent the baby there while the parents work through some issues, or a number of other reasons.
The hospital does not have the staff to give these babies the attention that they need, other than feedings and diaper changes. Clinton and Christina go as often as they can to hold, change diapers, talk to, rock, play, pray...
The babies are usually here until: 1. The parents decide they DO want them and come to get them. 2. The court has made its decision if the home environment is safe to go to. 3. They turn 6 months old and go to an orphange for babies.
Christina introduced me to the head nurse for that floor and told her I was an OT and would love to come weekly and do some infant massage, special exercises, activities to spur on their development (along with just hanging out with them and giving them some time off their backs and out of the cribs). So- the nurse is okay with it and I will hopefully go every Tuesday and Friday morning!

Little baby #1. I spent most of the time holding him and doing some different things, like giving him some tummy time. No name- only a last name. Not sure of the date of birth, but I would guess 3-4 months old.

We have to wear slippers and scrubs/lab coat into the rooms.

The next few pictures give you an idea of what the room looks like. Baby cribs, changing table.

Baby in baby bed, rocking chair.

There was also a baby tub and sink that I did not get a picture of. Everything was clean and tidy.

Baby girl #1. Clinton has special baby powers and made her fall asleep.

Baby boy #2. This little one has only been in the hospital for about 2 weeks. The court ordered him to go there while his parents work through some issues.

Baby girl #2. Her parents decided to not take her home with them because she has a lot of medical issues. Ummm... can I take her home?

You can see she has an abnormally large head. Her body was SO tiny (not sure of the DOB). She also has that tube up her nasal cavity for feedings. Though, Clinton said that last week the nurse was feeding her by a syringe.

She was swaddled so tightly. I un-swaddled her and immediately her two little arms burst out and over her head to stretch. She was like, "I'm free....!"