Babies born at the 37th week and under fall into the premature baby group. Babies born under 32 weeks are considered as advanced degree premature babies. After that this babies born before normal birth may have some difficulty adapting to their new life after the womb and therefore need special care. Premature babies, especially premature babies born very early, often have complex medical problems. The medical problems and complications encountered vary from baby to baby. But the earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk of complications. The newborn baby care is difficult, but premature baby care is twice as difficult. Premature baby requires special care. So how is premature baby care done?
Premature Baby Care
Premature babies are taken to care in incubators that resemble the warm environment of the mother's womb in the hospital after birth. The care of premature babies who may experience some problems such as respiratory problems due to lung development, infection risks, nutritional problems, anemia, and development of organs is performed in these sterile incubators in the intensive care unit. The preterm baby no longer needs respiratory support and is discharged from the hospital if s/he can be fed by sucking. It is necessary to continue the special care of the premature baby discharged at home, as well. The first six months of premature babies are very important for the risk of infection. The time of discharge of premature babies from the neonatal intensive care unit is also an important issue. While leaving the hospital early will strengthen the bond between the baby and the mother, it is also beneficial in terms of organizing the environment where the baby will develop, preventing hospital infections and reducing hospital costs. In return, leaving the hospital early; this can lead to deterioration of the general condition of the baby and the need to be hospitalized again, which is an additional source of stress for the baby as well as the family.
Skin Care and Personal Cleaning of Premature Babies
The skin of newborn babies is very sensitive. The skin of premature babies is much more sensitive and requires extra care since they are born before normal time. Since there is a risk of infection, especially in the first months of the baby, it should be ensured that the hands are clean before touching the baby and after change diaper. No care products containing perfume and alcohol should be used in premature baby's skin that disrupt the skin's pH balance. Baby's skin should always be kept clean. In the first weeks, it should be boiled and washed with warm water. There is no need to use shampoo. Umbilical cord care should be done very carefully and this territory should be kept dry and clean. The baby should not be in crowded and stuffy environments. If there is gum in the eyes of the baby, it should be cleaned frequently with boiled chilled water and gauze. Also, gauze used in one eye should not be used for the other eye. Premature babies can be dressed up one time more because they will feel more cold than babies born on time. In order for them to maintain their body temperature, the baby's clothing must wrap all over her body. Otherwise, the baby gets cold and uses extra energy to warm herself/himself. The body temperature of the baby should be checked frequently, the temperature of the room where the baby is located should be kept constant. 100% cotton easy-to-wear clothes should be preferred for the baby.
Nutrition of Premature Baby
It is necessary to pay attention to the feeding of the premature baby after discharge after special care in the hospital. The energy requirements of premature babies are more than babies born on time. The weight development and nutrition of these babies should be calculated according to this energy requirement, the average weight that the baby should gain should be followed up with their doctor, and if it is below normal, precautions should be taken. Following the baby's height and weight development, your doctor may recommend breast milk enriching products when necessary.
To develop the baby's sucking reflex, the baby must be breastfed. If suction problems are experienced, the baby is awakened. If necessary, the outfit is removed and the baby is awakened by a cold stimulus. It will make the baby wake up changing diapers before breastfeeding. In cases where mother's milk is insufficient, consult your doctor for premature baby nutrition. While nutrition the baby, it is necessary to pay attention to the color and movements of the baby. If yellowing and a more pale color are observed in the baby's color compared to the hospital exit, a doctor should be consulted. Also the nutrition time of the baby should be adjusted not to exceed 30 minutes. The longer the nutrition, the less the number of meals. It is also important to keep the baby's head at an angle of 45 degrees during nutrition. It should also be in a comfortable position for the mother during nutrition.
Sleep Pattern of Premature Baby
Premature babies sleep longer time than other newborn babies. The longer the time devoted to nutrition of the baby increases, the greater the tendency to sleep the baby gets tired because it consumes energy while sucking. Therefore, the nutrition and sleeping patterns of the baby should be well adjusted. They usually sleep outside of their nutrition hours. This period may be longer than babies born on time. The baby must be laid on a hard bed and the use of pillows is not recommended. Since the growth hormone is secreted while sleeping, it is preferable that the baby sleeps in the dark or dim light, especially at night. Thus, it is provided to get used to the sleep pattern by distinguishing day and night. It may take a little longer for premature babies to regulate night sleep. Feeling the mother's warmth for calming the baby helps sleep easier. In addition, as the cartilage tissues have not matured in premature babies yet, attention should be paid to sleeping positions while sleeping.
Premature Baby Care
Premature babies are taken to care in incubators that resemble the warm environment of the mother's womb in the hospital after birth. The care of premature babies who may experience some problems such as respiratory problems due to lung development, infection risks, nutritional problems, anemia, and development of organs is performed in these sterile incubators in the intensive care unit. The preterm baby no longer needs respiratory support and is discharged from the hospital if s/he can be fed by sucking. It is necessary to continue the special care of the premature baby discharged at home, as well. The first six months of premature babies are very important for the risk of infection. The time of discharge of premature babies from the neonatal intensive care unit is also an important issue. While leaving the hospital early will strengthen the bond between the baby and the mother, it is also beneficial in terms of organizing the environment where the baby will develop, preventing hospital infections and reducing hospital costs. In return, leaving the hospital early; this can lead to deterioration of the general condition of the baby and the need to be hospitalized again, which is an additional source of stress for the baby as well as the family.
Skin Care and Personal Cleaning of Premature Babies
The skin of newborn babies is very sensitive. The skin of premature babies is much more sensitive and requires extra care since they are born before normal time. Since there is a risk of infection, especially in the first months of the baby, it should be ensured that the hands are clean before touching the baby and after change diaper. No care products containing perfume and alcohol should be used in premature baby's skin that disrupt the skin's pH balance. Baby's skin should always be kept clean. In the first weeks, it should be boiled and washed with warm water. There is no need to use shampoo. Umbilical cord care should be done very carefully and this territory should be kept dry and clean. The baby should not be in crowded and stuffy environments. If there is gum in the eyes of the baby, it should be cleaned frequently with boiled chilled water and gauze. Also, gauze used in one eye should not be used for the other eye. Premature babies can be dressed up one time more because they will feel more cold than babies born on time. In order for them to maintain their body temperature, the baby's clothing must wrap all over her body. Otherwise, the baby gets cold and uses extra energy to warm herself/himself. The body temperature of the baby should be checked frequently, the temperature of the room where the baby is located should be kept constant. 100% cotton easy-to-wear clothes should be preferred for the baby.
Nutrition of Premature Baby
It is necessary to pay attention to the feeding of the premature baby after discharge after special care in the hospital. The energy requirements of premature babies are more than babies born on time. The weight development and nutrition of these babies should be calculated according to this energy requirement, the average weight that the baby should gain should be followed up with their doctor, and if it is below normal, precautions should be taken. Following the baby's height and weight development, your doctor may recommend breast milk enriching products when necessary.
To develop the baby's sucking reflex, the baby must be breastfed. If suction problems are experienced, the baby is awakened. If necessary, the outfit is removed and the baby is awakened by a cold stimulus. It will make the baby wake up changing diapers before breastfeeding. In cases where mother's milk is insufficient, consult your doctor for premature baby nutrition. While nutrition the baby, it is necessary to pay attention to the color and movements of the baby. If yellowing and a more pale color are observed in the baby's color compared to the hospital exit, a doctor should be consulted. Also the nutrition time of the baby should be adjusted not to exceed 30 minutes. The longer the nutrition, the less the number of meals. It is also important to keep the baby's head at an angle of 45 degrees during nutrition. It should also be in a comfortable position for the mother during nutrition.
Sleep Pattern of Premature Baby
Premature babies sleep longer time than other newborn babies. The longer the time devoted to nutrition of the baby increases, the greater the tendency to sleep the baby gets tired because it consumes energy while sucking. Therefore, the nutrition and sleeping patterns of the baby should be well adjusted. They usually sleep outside of their nutrition hours. This period may be longer than babies born on time. The baby must be laid on a hard bed and the use of pillows is not recommended. Since the growth hormone is secreted while sleeping, it is preferable that the baby sleeps in the dark or dim light, especially at night. Thus, it is provided to get used to the sleep pattern by distinguishing day and night. It may take a little longer for premature babies to regulate night sleep. Feeling the mother's warmth for calming the baby helps sleep easier. In addition, as the cartilage tissues have not matured in premature babies yet, attention should be paid to sleeping positions while sleeping.
