Premature Baby Care – What Should You Know?

Babies that are born before completing the 37th week of gestation are considered premature. Premature new-born babies have an elevated risk of complications since their organs are not fully developed. The more premature the baby is, the greater are the risks of complications. The neonatal deaths in India due to premature birth has increased by 16% in the last 15 years. Research has concluded that there were about 370,000 neonatal deaths that were attributed to premature births.
Why Do New-Born Babies Need Special Care?
Premature babies, also known as “preemies”, are not completely equipped to survive in our world. Therefore, for the first few months, a premature baby is under the doctor’s complete supervision. Any complications concerning a new-born preemie is addressed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Doctors provide care tips for a premature baby when it’s time for them to be taken home. Since the immune systems of premature babies are weaker in comparison to babies born full term, they are unable to fight off infections effectively. Hence, premature babies need special care and attention.

How To Take Care Of Premature Baby At Home?
– Your new-born preemie is in a protective environment in the NICU for a limited amount of time. Caring for a premature baby by on your own when you arrive home from the hospital is the biggest challenge. Mothers are often already nervous to care for their babies and this is elevated further when the baby is premature. If you are mother who has just given birth to a preemie, here’s a bunch of premature baby care tips –

– Listen To No One But Your Paediatrician: Your doctor knows best. You should strictly follow what your doctor tells you to and avoid premature baby advice by good-willing relatives. Make sure that you take the baby for regular check-ups and follow-ups.

– Look After your Baby’s Nourishment: Breastmilk has all the nutrients that are essential for boosting your baby’s health. This stands true even for preemies. If your baby is unable to feed and does not latch itself to your breasts, extract the milk and use other tools for feeding. Cow milk, buffalo milk and formula are a big no-no.

– Prevent Infections: Your baby’s immunity is developed in the last three months of pregnancy. Since preemies do not reach full term, their immune systems remain underdeveloped and are complicated. Hence, it is difficult for them to fight off infections. Therefore, preventing infections is of utmost importance.

– Look Out For Danger Signs: Preemies exhibit danger signs that should be picked up by the parents and addressed immediately. Remember this sequence – ABCCDDH. If the baby shows any one of these signs, visit your doctor immediately.

A – apnea
B – breathing difficulties
C – convulsions
C – cold hands and feet
D – decreased feeding
D – decreased activity
H – hyperthermia/hypothermia

– Kangaroo Care: Mothers should use practise the Kangaroo Care method whereby they place the baby between their breasts so that babies can hear the mother’s heartbeat and keeps them warm, and makes them feel secure.

– Give The Baby Enough Time: Spending enough time with your baby will strengthen your bond and will make the baby feel secure. You can soothe them by talking or singing to them.

Premature or full term, your new-born baby needs a lot of care, love and attention. Babies recognize your voice and listening to you soothes them. So, keep talking to them, this might be your only chance, they might stop listening once they’re all grown up!

SOURCE : https://www.healthlibrary.in