Premature Babies – Taking care of your preemie

Around half a million preterm babies are born in the United States each year. Numerous medical advances in the field of maternal and child care however, has not stopped the increase of premature births. Despite the alarming large number of premature births, many parents are still unaware of the serious health problems posed by preterm births. There are many serious complications associated with pre-mature births and understanding and knowing how to take care of premature babies is needed for the child’s normal development.

Full-term or normal pregnancies are those whose pregnancies last from 38 to 42 weeks. Babies who are born earlier than this are considered premature. Serious complications arise when the baby fails to develop normally inside the mother because they are born earlier than expected.

Premature babies, otherwise known as preemies occurs in about 1 out of 10 pregnancies. Premature babies are usually lighter than normal or full-term babies. After birth this babies are sent to special care areas in the hospital to insure that they are taken care of during the delicate times immediately after birth.

Characteristics of premature babies seen immediately after birth

Hypothermia or Low Body Temperature

Premature babies are lighter compared to full term babies; this is because they have fewer fats contained in their bodies. This makes it harder for the baby to preserve body heat and they immediately sent to the incubator to maintain proper body temperature. Another condition that makes it dangerous for premature babies is their inability to shiver making it harder for even trained professionals to notice if a baby is cold with the naked eye.

Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia and Low Blood Calcium

When babies are born preterm, they are not able to store the proper amounts of nutrients needed after birth. Serious complications that may occur are convulsions which could lead to irreparable brain damage.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

This is a condition wherein the premature baby is unable to breath normally because of under developed lungs. Premature babies are then place in incubators and oxygen is administered to assure that the baby receives normal supplies of oxygen.

Neonatal Jaundice or Yellow baby.

An underdeveloped liver is the cause of jaundice or the yellow discoloration in babies. This is treated by placing the babies under an artificial light to remove the yellowish discoloration.

Infections

Premature babies do not have a well developed immune system which makes them more susceptible to pathogens such as bacteria or virus.

Above are the common medical problems faced by medical professionals in the hospital before the babies are finally released. This is also the point wherein you as a parent are charged with taking care of your child. You may be lucky if your baby is just slightly premature because there might not be long term problems in the future. However, for those who have a very premature child, they must be ready to face the challenges of battling possible serious health problems to assure that their children live healthy normal lives in the future.

Warmth. Your baby needs warmth because they lack the body fats which are very important in sustaining normal body temperatures. This is why incubators and radiant warmers are the resting place of preemies because they help to keep them warm. Maintaining your baby’s body temperature at home is easy by swaddling them with blankets to keep them warm.

Nutrition. Preemies grow at a faster rate than normal, full-term babies. This is why they need to be constantly breastfed in order to be supplied with the right amounts of their nutritional needs. Premature babies also do not have a fully mature digestive system. This is the reason why breast milk is always advised even for full term babies. Breast milk is much better than formula milk because of they contain proteins that not only promote growth but also helps them fight against infections.

Bottle feeding with breast milk. Some premature babies may be too weak to be fed directly from the breast. To feed your baby, you might need to pump your breast and feed it through a bottle. You must be careful in using bottles because they may cause intestinal infections. It is also important to remember to feed the baby 8 to 10 times a day.

Immunizations. All infants, either full-term or preemies need to receive vaccinations. This is essential in preventing the risk of future diseases and infections.

Regular health examinations. Don’t forget to bring your child back to your pediatrician because they need to have their eyes and ears checked from time to time. Moreover, their normal development is also monitored closely to assure the normal development of their motor skills such as sitting, smiling, walking, and muscle tone.

Sleeping. Preemies sleep more than full-term infants. Be careful in using pillows and soft mattresses to avoid SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. While the cause of SID is still unknown, it has been associated that infants sleeping on their stomach or on soft mattresses.

Travel Safety. Use an infant car seat whenever you travel. This gives support to the neck and head during the trip.

The most important thing in caring for premature babies is to understand your baby’s condition and knowing the simple steps in taking care of them. As parents, you will have more questions as your child grows. Learning what to expect will help you in managing the situation and also decreases your anxiety. It also helps you focus in understanding the treatments, what to do, and what questions you need to ask from your doctor. However, the best way to take care of your baby is by simply touching them and letting them know that you will always be there whenever they need you.

written by Ronald Uy, RN