Due to health or emergency reasons, mothers sometimes deliver their babies earlier than expected. A premature or preterm baby is a baby born before the 37th week.
Preterm babies look like small full-term babies. Most babies usually develop, however, there are some that encounter issues like heart problems, breathing problems, or infections.
Problems of preterm babies are discussed while they are still at the hospital. When parents go home with their babies, they often ask: "Is taking care of a preterm baby difficult?"
According to experts, there should not be any worries. Parents should remember that taking care of a preterm baby is just as difficult as taking care of babies born in normal deliveries. However, there should be a little change in the environment. This change is necessary to make the baby feel comfortable.
Here are some of the changes that parents should remember when taking care of their babies:
There should be an ideal room and body temperature for a preterm baby.
Babies can only handle a certain amount of temperature. Their axillary temperature should be at 36.5 to 37.3 degrees Celcius. For the room, the temperature should be at 20-23 degrees Celcius.
To be able to maintain this kind of temperature, parents may opt to use a digital thermometer.
The temperature is one way to make babies feel that they are in a safe environment.
The most effective way to make sure that the baby is at a safe temperature, layers of clothing should be regarded.
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A preterm baby should have enough sleep.
When taking care of a preterm baby, parents should ensure that the baby sleeps better. That is through giving them the right environment, a quiet room, and dim lighting, if necessary.
Because preterm babies need to be fed more often, parents should also be prepared during the night.
There should be limited visitors for the mother and a preterm baby.
To give time for the baby's immune system to grow stronger, visitors at home should be limited. This tip will provide preterm babies a safer environment.
If it is unavoidable to have visitors at home, precautionary measures should be put in place. For example, before touching the baby, visitors should wash their hands. Smoking should not be allowed at home, and no ill person is allowed to visit the preterm baby.
Make sure that the preterm baby sleeps on their back.
Experts suggest that babies sleep at their back to avoid the SIDS or the sudden infant death syndrome.
There is a higher risk of suffering from SIDS when the babies sleep on their stomachs.
Sleeping on their backs gives babies more space for breathing.
This step is applicable not only when taking care of a preterm baby, but also for babies delivered normally.
When taking care of a preterm baby, mom should get used to kangaroo care.
This kind of care allows the mother and the baby to have skin-to-skin contact. Studies have shown that this type of care magnifies parent-child bonding. Also, it helps promote breastfeeding, which is useful for improving the health of a preterm baby.
