Get growth charts, specially designed for premature babies, from your baby's doctor to help monitor their progress. Keep your baby on a fairly regular schedule of awake and nap time, to help them eat better. Make sure your baby is fully awake before feeding. Don't force your baby to eat. Feed them on demand, not a schedule.
Studies have shown that premature babies grew at a faster pace when fed on demand. When your baby is developmentally ready, slowly introduce solid foods while they are still on formula. Enlist the help and support of family and friends, to give yourself a break. Preemie Nutrition Most premature babies have low birth weight. Premature babies may have more digestive issues than full-term babies.
But there are some things you can try to help: Introduce your baby to a pacifier. Try to keep them on a sleep schedule. Make sure they are fully awake before feeding Be aware of indicators, so you know when your little one is full or tired.
Slowly introduce solids when they are developmentally ready. Babies who are born premature often undergo developmental testing and programs. Keep the following preemie nutrition facts in mind as you navigate feeding your baby: Premature babies may experience more water loss through the skin or respiratory tract than babies born at full term.
The kidneys in premature babies have not grown enough to control water levels in the body. The NICU team keeps track of how much premature babies urinate by weighing their diapers to make sure that their fluid intake and urine output are balanced.
Human milk from the baby's own mother is the best for babies born early and at very low birth weight. Many NICUs will give donor milk from a milk bank to high-risk babies who are not able to get adequate amounts of milk from their own mother.
Special preemie formulas can also be used. These formulas have more added calcium and protein to meet the special growth needs of premature babies. Older premature babies 34 to 36 weeks gestation may be switched to regular formula or a transitional formula. Babies who are given breast milk may need a supplement called human milk fortifier mixed into their feedings. This gives them extra protein, calories, iron, calcium, and vitamins. Babies fed formula may need to take supplements of certain nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and D, and folic acid.
Some infants will need to continue taking nutritional supplements after they leave the hospital. Temperature: See Table 1 for nursing care plan Table 1. Systematic physical assessment includes the assessment of newborns, initial assessment Apgar scoring , assessment of extrauterine transition periods and gestational age assessment.
Apgar score is evaluated at 1th, 5th and 10th minutes. The newborn is assessed in five areas, taking into account heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, response to the stimulus and skin tone. The Apgar score is obtained by summing the scores of 0, 1, 2 given in each field. If the Apgar value is between 8 - 10; the newborn is alive and strong, a normal maintenance is sufficient.
If value is between 4 - 7 means baby needs oxygen and warning. Value is below 4 means indicates severe oxygen deficiency and the newborn urgently needs resuscitation [3] [4]. During extrauterine transition period; determination of some irregularities in heart rate, respiration, motor activity, color, mucus production and intestinal activity, diagnosis of gestational age and birth weight are important because these are closely related to perinatal mortality and morbidity.
A physical assessment with be very attentive and be systematic is necessary in order to detect normal signs and understand the specific signs of danger in the newborn. Physical evaluation includes assessment of vital findings, taking of body measurements, and physical examination of the from head to foot. A detailed assessment is needed to determine the level of adaptation of the newborn to life and the risk factors that may affect life [4].
The growth and development of the newborn depends on a loving family and a supportive environment. Some newborns may be premature, with a low birth. Table 1. The nurse also provides useful information about whether or not to take the treatment, decide whether to stay in a health center or next to the family [1]. Having the problem of the health of the newborn can cause the family to live in grief. Parents experience fear and anxiety when they face this sad end. As a result, intervention with professional care in a timely manner will make it easier for the couple to find new strategies and solutions that will help them cope with the crisis.
Nursing priorities should be promote optimal respiratory functioning, maintain neutral thermal environment, prevent or reduce risk of potential complications, maintain homeostasis, foster development of healthy family unit [5] [6] [7] [8]. Starting to early feeding, especially with breast milk, is crucial for the infants.
It is also crucial for those who are not breastfeeding, rather whose needs are maintained by a healthcare team. These specially trained people are the newborn nurses who have a key responsibility on infant feeding as a result of their dense interactions with the infants and mothers from the beginning. As a matter of fact, newborn nursing is a special branch, requiring experience and special training.
Thus, a postgraduate nursing education on the current topic is highly recommended [11]. So if you are planning to breastfeed, you should tell your doctor and nurses immediately after birth.
You can then begin expressing and storing your breast milk for the time when your baby is ready for it. Most babies born in weeks can go straight to breastfeeding. There are additional ways to provide care for a baby in the NICU. Both the mother and father are encouraged by the NICU staff to interact with their baby. As a mother or father, you might not be aware of all the ways that you can interact with your baby.
Here are some suggestions:. Premature Baby Care. What is a Preemie? Why do premature newborns need special care? Other equipment Incubator — Incubators are clear plastic cribs that keep babies warm and help protect them from germs and noise.
The Staff The staff usually consists of respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, lactation consultants, pharmacists, social workers, hospital chaplains, and a neonatologist. What is Kangaroo Care? Breastfeeding — Kangaroo care allows easy access to the breast, and skin-to-skin contact increasing milk let-down. Increase weight gain — Kangaroo care allows the baby to fall into a deeper sleep allowing it to direct more energy to other bodily functions. Increased weight gain also means a shorter hospital stay.
Increased intimacy and bonding. Here are some suggestions: Touch your baby as much as possible. You can do this by using a gentle touch and stroking motions. Talk to your baby. Your baby can recognize your voice s and be comforted by hearing from you. In addition to talking, you can read or sing to your baby.
Compiled using information from the following sources: 1. March of Dimes. Premature Baby Premature Child. Can I get pregnant if…?
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