Babies born at 37 weeks and below fall into the premature baby group. Babies born below 32 weeks are considered extremely premature babies. Later, these babies born before normal birth may have difficulty adapting to their new life after the womb and therefore need special care. Premature babies, especially premature babies born very prematurely, 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. Newborn baby care is difficult, but premature baby care is twice as difficult. Premature babies require special care. So, how to care for a premature baby?
Premature Baby Care
After birth, premature babies are taken into care in the hospital in incubators that resemble the warm environment of the mother's womb. Premature babies, who may experience respiratory problems due to lung development, infection risks, nutritional problems, anemia, and organ development, are cared for in these sterile incubators in the intensive care unit. If the premature baby no longer needs respiratory support and can be suckled, he or she is discharged from the hospital. The special care of the premature baby who is discharged at home should also be continued. The first six months of premature babies are very important in terms of infection risk. The time of discharge of premature babies from the neonatal intensive care unit is also an important issue. While leaving the hospital early strengthens the bond between the mother and the baby, it is also beneficial in terms of regulating the environment in which the baby will develop, preventing hospital infections and reducing hospital costs. In return, leaving the hospital early; this leads to deterioration in the general condition of the baby and the need for re-hospitalization, which is an additional source of stress for both the baby and 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 as they are born before the normal time. Since there is a risk of infection, especially in the first months of the baby, care should be taken to ensure that the hands are clean before touching the baby and after changing the diaper. Perfume and alcohol-containing care products that disrupt the pH balance of the skin should not be used on the skin of premature babies. The 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 area should be kept dry and clean. The baby should not be in crowded and stuffy environments. If there is gum in the baby's eye, it should be cleaned frequently with boiled cold water and gauze. In addition, gauze used in one eye should not be used in the other eye. Premature babies can be dressed once more as they will feel colder than term babies. The baby's clothes should cover all parts of his body so that they can maintain body temperature. Otherwise, the baby will get cold and use extra energy to warm himself up. The baby's body temperature should be checked frequently, and 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.
Feeding the Premature Baby
It is necessary to pay attention to the feeding of the premature baby after special care in the hospital after discharge. Premature babies have higher energy requirements than term babies. The weight development and nutrition of these babies should be calculated according to this energy need, the average weight that the baby should gain should be monitored under the control of the doctor, and precautions should be taken if it is below normal. 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 should be breastfed. If there are sucking problems, the baby is awakened. If necessary, the clothing is removed and the baby is awakened by a cold stimulus. It wakes the baby by changing diapers before feeding. In cases where breast milk is insufficient, consult your doctor for premature baby feeding. While feeding the baby, it is necessary to pay attention to the color and movements of the baby. If a yellowing and paler color is observed in the baby's color compared to the hospital discharge, a doctor should be consulted. In addition, the feeding time of the baby should be adjusted so that it does not exceed 30 minutes. The longer the feeding, the less the number of meals. It is also important to keep the baby's head at a 45-degree angle during feeding. It should also be in a comfortable position for the mother during feeding.
Premature Baby's Sleep Pattern
Premature babies sleep longer than other newborn babies. The longer the time spent on feeding the baby, the greater the tendency to sleep, as it consumes energy during sucking. For this reason, the baby's feeding and sleep patterns should be well adjusted. They usually sleep outside of feeding times. This period may be longer than for term babies. The baby should be placed on a firm mattress and the use of pillows is not recommended. Since growth hormone is secreted while sleeping, it is preferable for the baby to sleep in the dark or in dim light, especially at night. Thus, it is ensured to get used to the sleep pattern by distinguishing between night and day. Premature babies may take a little longer to regulate their night's sleep. Feeling the mother's warmth to calm the baby helps him sleep more comfortably. In addition, attention should be paid to lying positions while sleeping, since the cartilage tissues of premature babies are not yet mature.