Breast milk is the best food to help protect and strengthen the immune system of the premature infant.
Preterm labor occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature babies need a series of special care, in the hospital and by their parents. Let us know what these cares are during the first year of life.
Prematurity and hospital care
Women are mothers more and more later. The fact that they are over 35 years old is a factor that carries a risk of prematurity. Premature babies must be admitted to the hospital to receive the necessary care. The health personnel must achieve with their care that they reach the appropriate weight, that is around 2 kilos. It is usually discharged when the baby reaches that weight and is between the 37th and the last week, the 40th of gestation.
Despite being discharged from hospital, the care and risk of the baby do not remain in the background, quite the opposite. Medical follow-up and care from their parents to the baby should be the priority, even more so in his first year of life. The premature baby can be left with serious or mild sequelae that impair their visual, auditory or motor development. Not only that, you can also die.
Premature baby care
Control of body temperature
The baby has less body fat than a full-term baby. You will then need to dress in clothing that will keep you on your index, regulated and protected, without overclothing you when sleeping. In the case of raising the temperature, you will not be able to lower it by yourself easily.. The ideal temperature in the home should be around 22-23 degrees. Using a humidifier in the room will be very helpful.
Holding the baby in your arms
Clean hands are extremely necessary for family and friends to hold a premature baby. Hygiene should be a priority also in the house and your room: crib, changing table ... Everything should be well disinfected and washed with hot water. Visits should be gradual and avoid everyone picking you up. Those who visit the baby should make sure they are not sick to avoid possible infections.
Food
The best way to feed a baby premature it is with breast milk. Premature babies need to feed more times than other babies. They have fewer antibodies from their mother, so breast milk will contribute positively to protect and strengthen their immune system. They can also be given a bottle with their mother's milk, sometimes with a vitamin supplement, or by tube.
The nights of the premature baby
Although the baby is at home, and especially the first year, it is advisable to monitor him and be attentive to complicated symptoms that he may present and go to the doctor.
Premature babies get used to sleeping in the hospital because they don't know anything else their first months. When they are installed at home, it is convenient to adapt their environment in soft light, with soothing sounds that calm you. In the crib there should not be a lot of warm clothes, blankets, or stuffed animals. It is best that they sleep on their backs, otherwise the doctor will give other indications.
Vaccination
People who live with them should be vaccinated without fail against the flu. If it is the mother who is ill, it is optimal to use a mask when approaching the baby. In the case of premature babies it is recommended that they be vaccinated according to their gestational age. The best thing is to avoid daycare, especially the first year of life so as not to risk contagion.
The walks and the tobacco smoke
The first weeks of the arrival of the premature baby to his new home, it is best not to take him for a walk. When advances are seen, the baby can, indeed, must go out, however It is advisable to visit places that are not very crowded, with smoke and closed. Tobacco is totally prohibited when you are around the baby. The respiratory system of the premature infant is too sensitive to be exposed to its harmful effects.
Stimulation
Parents play a major role in the recovery of a premature baby. Stimulate him by holding him, speak into his ear or teach him moving toys with colors and sounds. All this will improve the development of your nervous system. The most important and necessary thing for the baby is to feel loved, clothed and protected by his parents.
Contact the doctor
The baby is at home, but this first year especially, It is convenient to monitor him and be attentive to symptoms that he may present and go to the pediatrician. Be aware of whether the diaper stains a lot, spits up or vomits, or has a poor appetite. In the same way, if the temperature exceeds 37,5 degrees, your skin is a different color, you have irregular breathing, cry uncontrollably or it is difficult for you to wake up, you have to go to the emergency room.
Your vision, hearing, nervous system, speech and musculature. In the child it is necessary to observe an evolution how to see how he stands up and manages to walk. By paying attention to certain movements and behaviors such as walking or talking, it can be deduced if you will need professional help from a speech therapist or physiotherapist in the future.