If your bundle of joy arrives before 37 weeks, then he’s a preterm or premature baby. Your baby will be spending a few days in neonatal intensive care unit, but soon you will be getting him home. You may wonder how you will be able to manage such a tiny baby. Worry no more, in the following article we shall discuss various tips that may help you in taking care of your premature baby at home.
Your preterm baby will require special care and monitoring based on how early he has arrived. Also, your baby will have different characteristics in comparison to a full-term baby, however as the times passes these characteristics may become less and less noticeable.
Premature babies are not like full-term babies, and thus they need special care and monitoring. Their bodies are not fully developed or equipped to sustain without intensive care. There has been a tremendous advancement in medical technology, and such babies can be given extra care outside their mother’s wombs for days or months, or till they bodies are strong enough to sustain without extra support.
Here are some tips for the parents that may help them in taking care of their preterm baby at home:
You should ideally breastfeed your baby but sometimes your baby may have a problem in latching or may not be able to latch at all. You can pump breast milk and feed on the bottle. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to feed formula milk to your baby; this may be special formula milk for preterm babies.
A premature baby requires 8-10 feeds a day. Therefore, make sure you feed your baby at regular intervals. Do not give a gap of more than 4 hours at any given point in time as the chances of dehydration may increase, which can be dangerous for your baby.
Preterm babies grow differently than full-term babies. However, they eventually catch up. Your doctor may give you a different growth chart to monitor your baby’s growth.
Even after leaving the hospital, you should keep in touch with your baby’s doctor on a regular basis and keep taking tips on how to take care of your baby. If the need arises, you may pay a visit to your doctor too.
Your preterm baby needs a lot of sleep, and he may be spending most of his time sleeping only. Make sure he is lying on a firm mattress and with no pillows. Also, never put your baby on his stomach; always make him sleep on his back.
You may have to wait a little longer to give solid food to your baby as preterm babies may find it difficult to swallow food. Your doctor may advise you to introduce at around 4 to 6 months after your baby’s actual delivery date and not his real birth date.
Apart from visiting the doctor, you may have to refrain from taking your baby out for several weeks. This is because your baby is more prone to catching infections, which can be fatal for him.
You may have been told about kangaroo care in the hospital, and it will be a good idea to practise it for a few weeks at home too. Skin to skin contact is good for your baby.
Keep track of your baby’s immunization schedule and get your baby immunized as per the schedule.
Your baby’s immunity is very low. Thus, it will be a good idea to restrict the visitors at home, especially if someone is unwell or someone who smokes. Make sure whoever meets or touches your baby should wash their hands before doing so.
Here are some premature infant care questions that you should ask your doctor:
If your baby was born from 37 to 42 week, then you are more likely to deliver a full-term baby the next time too. However, if you have delivered your baby from 20 to 31 weeks, then there are more chances that you deliver a premature again.
Most, premature babies may develop at the same pace as full-term babies if they are not born too early or have some medical complication. Taking proper care, ensuring ample sleep and kangaroo care works wonders in helping your baby develop in a better way.
Your premature baby is more prone to infections and thus any member of the family with any infections such as cold or flu, should away from the baby. Whenever anyone wishes to touch the baby, ask them to wash their hands thoroughly.
Your premature baby may have many health complications because he has not had enough time to develop. It is seen that earlier a baby is born there are more chances of him having various health complications such as breathing difficulties, weak muscles, hearing loss, heart problems etc.
Though premature babies require extra care, with time they may achieve all developmental milestones like full-term babies. Keep seeking your doctor advice from time to time to help your baby grow better.