Take 5 Steps to Take Care of This Premature Baby

Babies who are premature or born before 37 weeks of gestation require special care. Premature baby care steps 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, as well as the immune system are not functioning optimally. Basically, premature babies are not ready to be outside the mother's womb.

Premature babies require special care in the hospital before they are finally allowed to be treated at home. Premature babies are usually discharged from the hospital if they can drink breast milk or formula directly, gain weight, and their body temperature remains stable at room temperature.

Things to note about 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 two years of age, he may not grow as fast as the baby who was born on time. In addition, there are also several medical problems that are at risk for premature babies, namely:

• Breathing problems, which may require administering oxygen via a breathing apparatus.
• Problems with nipple latch and swallowing while breastfeeding.
• Sleep apnea or pauses in breathing during sleep. This can interfere with the baby's heartbeat, so the baby looks bluish.
• Risk of infection.

Premature Baby Care Steps

Steps to take good care of premature babies can help them to grow and develop healthily. Here are some steps you can apply:

1. Become a kangaroo mom

The kangaroo method is a position to hold the baby by putting it in a shirt or using a sling. The kangaroo method aims to put your skin in direct contact with your little one. Through this skin contact, your little one will recognize the smell of your body, touch, and the rhythm of your breath and heartbeat. The benefits of carrying with the kangaroo method include:

• Keep baby's body warm.
• Maintain the regularity of the baby's heartbeat and breathing.
• Helps soothe baby and helps him to sleep more soundly.
• Increase milk production, so that the opportunity to apply exclusive breastfeeding is higher.
• Helps strengthen baby's immune system.
• It reduces stress, builds self-confidence, and increases the emotional bond between mother and baby.

Mothers can do kangaroo care as soon as the baby is born. However, there are also some hospitals that have policies to postpone kangaroo care until the baby's health condition is more stable.

Read Too : 5 Benefits of the Kangaroo Method for Premature Babies

2. Pay attention to the meal schedule

Initially, most premature babies need to be fed 8-10 times a day. Avoid giving pauses from breastfeeding to the next feeding of more than four hours, to prevent the baby from becoming dehydrated or dehydrated. One sign that the baby is feeding enough is that he pees (pee) 6-8 times a day. Do not panic if the baby often spit up after feeding, because this is normal, as long as the weight is not reduced. If premature babies lose weight because of frequent spitting up, immediately consult a doctor.

3. Pay attention to sleeping position

Make sure the baby sleeps on his back, not on his side or stomach. This aims to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is more common in premature babies. To ensure that your baby can feel more comfortable while resting, put the baby on a mattress that is not too soft and without a pillow.

4. Keep away from sick people

Keep the baby away from people who are sick with infectious diseases, such as flu or cough. Protect babies from viruses and germs that cause disease, by limiting first interaction or contact between babies and people around them, such as family, friends, or relatives who are visiting. In addition, avoid bringing the baby to public and crowded places, such as malls. Exposure to pollution including cigarette smoke must also be avoided.

5. Don't miss the immunization schedule

This step is necessary to protect premature babies from serious illness. Basically, the immunization schedule for premature babies is the same as the schedule for full-term babies, but further consult with your pediatrician so that the type and schedule of immunization can be adjusted to the condition of your little one. Keep spending time with your little one to talk to him and make jokes with love. This will help maintain the bond between mother and baby.

Even though you are busy caring for a premature baby, don't forget to take care of yourself and get enough rest time. Never hesitate to ask for support and help from others, for example to look after the baby while the mother is sleeping. Never be discouraged, because no matter what condition your little one is in, he is still a priceless gift from God.