All you need to know about Caring for your Premature Baby

Things to do when a Premature Baby is Born

When the baby is premature, a lot of intervention is needed to ensure the baby survives and has a healthy life ahead. Here are the things to keep in mind when taking care of a premature baby.

1. Skin-to-skin care

Whether it is a preterm birth or a full-term birth, skin-to-skin care right after birth is one of the most crucial things to do. This is nothing but placing the new born on mother’s bare chest immediately after birth. This helps to increase baby’s survival rate and also helps to build a beautiful mother-baby bond.

2. Kangaroo mother care

The kangaroo mother care system, also known as KMC, is a very popular way to care for premature babies. It is placing the baby on mother’s chest and in some cases even the father. By doing this, the child can feel parent’s heartbeat and is comforted by parent’s body heat.

3. NICU care

The Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a specialised chamber in the hospital where preterm babies are taken care of. Premature babies, especially the ones born before 33 weeks are very delicate and their internal organs are not fully formed. Hence, they need to be placed in the NICU where tubes and instruments help them with their breathing, feeding and subsequent growth processes. Premature babies remain in the NICU till their organs grow and they are stable enough to perform the basics without assistance.

Tips for Parents to Take Care of the Baby Post-Discharge

The baby is discharged from NICU and can be taken home after he has stabilised and is fit to breathe and feed on his own. Premature baby care, however, doesn't stop there and parents need to take extra care. Here are some handy tips for you:

1. Spend time with your baby and monitor them closely.

2. Keep baby’s surroundings clean & confortable. The lights in baby’s room should mimic that of NICU so that your baby can rest well. Also, keep the room temperature moderate, nor too hot nor too cold.

3. Avoid crowded places as baby’s immunity is lower than normal which puts him at a greater risk of contracting infections.

4. Make hygiene a priority as preterm babies can catch infection easily. Wear clean clothes and wash your hands before touching or feeding him.

5. Take care of baby’s food as they require the right amount of nutrients & minerals for growth & development. Always remember, breastmilk is the absolute best source of nutrition for your baby. It is also important to focus on the way they sleep. Ensure your baby sleeps on his back as it is dangerous for babies to sleep on their stomach. This is because it can hinder their oxygen supply and also cause death.

Conclusion

In most cases, you cannot control a premature birth but you can surely control the situation after the baby is born. Keep all above mentioned points in mind and work closely with the medical team to give best possible care to your baby.

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Source: HealthyChildren, WhatToExpect

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on February 07, 2023