Premature babies or born before 37 weeks of pregnancy require special care. The steps of premature baby care are aimed at keeping the baby alive, and ensuring that his health condition is maintained.
Caring for premature babies requires more effort and attention, compared to babies born at term. This is because important organs, such as the lungs, digestive tract, and skin, and their endurance are not functioning optimally. Basically, premature babies are not ready to be outside the mother's womb.
Premature babies need special care at the hospital before being allowed to be treated at home. Premature babies are usually allowed out of the hospital if they can drink breast milk or formula directly, their weight rises, and their body temperature remains stable at room temperature.
Things to consider from premature babies
The nutritional needs of premature babies is one thing that must be considered. Premature babies usually need more nutrients to grow healthy like other babies. Until the baby reaches the age of two years, he may not grow as fast as babies born according to time.
In addition, there are also some medical problems that are at risk for premature babies, namely:
- Respiratory problems, so it may require administration of oxygen through a breathing apparatus.
- Problems with nipple sticking and swallowing while breastfeeding.
- Sleep apnea or respiration during sleep. This can disrupt the baby's heartbeat, so the baby looks bluish.
- Risk of infection.
Steps for Premature Baby Care
The steps of good premature baby care can help him to grow and develop healthily. Here are some steps you can implement:
1. Become a kangaroo mama
Kangaroo method is the position of holding a baby by putting it in a shirt or using a sling. The kangaroo method aims to make your skin come into direct contact with your little one.
Through this skin contact, your child will recognize your body's scent, touch, and rhythm of your breath and heartbeat. Benefits of carrying the kangaroo method include:
- Maintain the warmth of the baby's body.
- Maintain regular baby's heartbeat and breathing.
- Helps calm the baby and help him sleep more soundly.
- Increasing milk production, so the opportunity to apply exclusive breastfeeding is higher.
- Help strengthen the baby's immune system.
- Reducing stress, building self-confidence, and increasing emotional ties between mother and baby.
Mother can do kangaroo care as soon as the baby is born. However, there are also several hospitals that have policies to delay kangaroo care until the baby's health condition is more stable.
2. Pay attention to eating schedules
In the beginning, most premature babies need to be breastfed 8-10 times a day. Avoid giving pause from breastfeeding to subsequent breastfeeding for more than four hours, to prevent the baby from lacking fluids or dehydration. One sign that the baby is suckling adequately is he pees (urinates) 6-8 times a day.
Do not panic if the baby often spit up after breastfeeding, because this is normal, as long as his weight does not decrease. If premature babies lose weight because of frequent spit up, consult a doctor immediately.
3. Pay attention to sleeping position
Make sure the baby sleeps on his back, not sideways or on his stomach. This aims to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is more common in premature babies.
To ensure that the baby can feel more comfortable when resting, sleep the baby on a mattress that is not too soft and without a pillow.
4. Keep away from people who are sick
Keep the baby away from people who are sick with infectious diseases, such as colds or coughs. Protect your baby from viruses and germs that cause disease, by first limiting the interaction or contact between the baby and the people around him, for example family, friends, or relatives who are visiting.
In addition, avoid taking babies to public and crowded places, such as malls. Exposure to pollution including cigarette smoke is also mandatory to be avoided.
5. Don't miss the immunization schedule
This step is needed to protect premature babies from a serious illness. Basically, the schedule for premature infant immunization is the same as the schedule for term infants, but consult with your pediatrician so that the type and schedule of immunizations can be adjusted to the condition of your child.
Keep spending time with your little one to talk to him and joke around lovingly. This will help maintain an inner bond between mother and baby.
Although busy caring for premature babies, don't forget to take care of yourself and get enough rest. Never hesitate to ask for support and assistance from others, for example to look after the baby when Mother is sleeping. Never be discouraged, because after all the condition of the Little One, he is still an invaluable gift.
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