Denton Regional Medical Center

Primo Care for Your Preemie (Caring for Premature Babies)

Every mother wants to provide the best care and nurturing for her newborn baby, but mothers who deliver premature infants may have even more concerns. If your baby is born earlier than 37 weeks, he or she is considered premature. Your little one may spend some time in the NICU and will require some extra special care in the beginning when you take him or her home.

Here are some things you need to know to provide the best care for your tiny newborn:

Bringing Home Baby
If your preemie has spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit, he or she may have a special monitor or special needs that you will now have to take over. Be sure to ask all of the questions you need to feel comfortable in taking your little one home. Consider taking an infant CPR class before leaving the hospital. Make sure to schedule all the proper follow-up visits and get the contact information for whom to call when you have questions.

Feeding
Most premature babies need to be fed at least 8 to 10 times per day and you should never go more than four hours between feedings. Many doctors will provide you with exact amounts and types of formula you should be feeding, as well as instructions on when to feed. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant at the hospital about how to properly feed your preemie.

Sleeping
Typically, premature babies sleep more hours each day than full-term babies, but on average sleep for shorter periods at a time. You should make sure you get plenty of sleep while your baby does, so you have energy for the rest of the day. As with all babies, premature babies should be put to sleep on their backs, never their stomachs. You should have a firm mattress and no pillow. If your preemie has apnea problems and is wearing a monitor, always be sure to check it before laying your baby to sleep.

Car Trips
Since premature babies are much smaller than normal babies, their heads should be better supported in the car seat. Use a car seat neck supporter or rolled towels or receiving blankets to support them in the car seat. The car seat should always be installed in the back seat, never the front. Use a backseat mirror to always keep an eye on your baby.

Here at the Medical Center of Plano, we know your premature baby needs extra-special care. We are the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Collin County and can provide excellent care for infants who are born as early as 23 weeks. To find out more, visit us online or call us at (972) 519-1260.

Sources:
Caring for Your Premature Baby (Family Doctor)
Premature baby? Understand your preemie’s special needs (Mayo Clinic)
Your Premature Baby (March of Dimes)

Related Posts:
Who Need the NICU?
Top Tips for New Moms

Tags: Medical Center of Plano, Plano Texas, Preemie, Premature baby, Taking Care of Preemies