Premature Babies: How To Help Your Preemie Survive The Odds
Premature babies are born before their full gestation time. Those who have spent less than 35 weeks in their mothers womb usually have decreased chances of survival. Parents of such babies suffer through emotional trauma since they have to cope with the increased responsibilities of caring for a preemie. Premature babies are often incubated for differing amounts of time since their organs and systems are not fully developed and need time to achieve full functionality. The following is some advice to help you improve the odds for your preemie.
Preemies are often placed in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) as a means to provide shelter and warmth, and are duly monitored. Parents are often overwhelmed by the image of their new born in a N.I.C.U surrounded by tubes and other apparatus. This emotional trauma is compounded by the fact that parents can be refrained from interacting with the infant. It so happens that this is also detrimental to the health of the infant for she/he has been placed in an unfamiliar environment which triggers a release of stress hormones which hamper the fight for survival. Studies have proven that the mothers touch has nurturing powers since the baby instinctually recognizes her touch as result of being in the womb for nine months.
Kangaroo Mother Care is a highly beneficial method used to stabilize premature babies. If the parents are advised against holding their baby initially, the Kangaroo Mother Care technique should be practiced as soon as the newborn is declared out of danger. Using this method the baby is placed on the bare chest of his mother or father and covered using a gown or some other suitable covering. The baby should only be wearing a diaper at the time. This skin-to-skin contact not only builds up attachment between the two, but has been noted to calm premature babies, thus saving much needed energy. This energy is directing away from crying and towards life-saving actions such as strengthening the respiratory and circulatory bodily processes. Studies have also shown that babies who receive Kangaroo Mother Care turn out to be healthier and more confident in the longer term and, fall sick less often.
Premature babies need to be fed about 8 to 10 times per day to ensure they do not dehydrate. If the infant needs to be have their diaper changed 6 to 8 times a day, it implies that he/she is receiving adequate nourishment. The weight should be monitored to ensure it does not remain constant or decrease; rather, the little one should progressively gain weight.
Premature babies can be immunized according to the same schedule as full term newborns, although a flu vaccine may additionally be prescribed for such infants since they are more vulnerable than normal babies to catching infections. Doctors advise the entire family to receive a flu shot to guard against the possibility of the child catching the infection from family members. Some special supplements may also be advised for premature babies since they did not receive the entire benefits of normal gestation.
Preemies are often placed in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) as a means to provide shelter and warmth, and are duly monitored. Parents are often overwhelmed by the image of their new born in a N.I.C.U surrounded by tubes and other apparatus. This emotional trauma is compounded by the fact that parents can be refrained from interacting with the infant. It so happens that this is also detrimental to the health of the infant for she/he has been placed in an unfamiliar environment which triggers a release of stress hormones which hamper the fight for survival. Studies have proven that the mothers touch has nurturing powers since the baby instinctually recognizes her touch as result of being in the womb for nine months.
Kangaroo Mother Care is a highly beneficial method used to stabilize premature babies. If the parents are advised against holding their baby initially, the Kangaroo Mother Care technique should be practiced as soon as the newborn is declared out of danger. Using this method the baby is placed on the bare chest of his mother or father and covered using a gown or some other suitable covering. The baby should only be wearing a diaper at the time. This skin-to-skin contact not only builds up attachment between the two, but has been noted to calm premature babies, thus saving much needed energy. This energy is directing away from crying and towards life-saving actions such as strengthening the respiratory and circulatory bodily processes. Studies have also shown that babies who receive Kangaroo Mother Care turn out to be healthier and more confident in the longer term and, fall sick less often.
Premature babies need to be fed about 8 to 10 times per day to ensure they do not dehydrate. If the infant needs to be have their diaper changed 6 to 8 times a day, it implies that he/she is receiving adequate nourishment. The weight should be monitored to ensure it does not remain constant or decrease; rather, the little one should progressively gain weight.
Premature babies can be immunized according to the same schedule as full term newborns, although a flu vaccine may additionally be prescribed for such infants since they are more vulnerable than normal babies to catching infections. Doctors advise the entire family to receive a flu shot to guard against the possibility of the child catching the infection from family members. Some special supplements may also be advised for premature babies since they did not receive the entire benefits of normal gestation.
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