Four significant parameters to be taken care if you have Low birth weight baby and have brought him or her home. The preterm babies need to adhere to regular feeding, bathing and clothing and unique environment. A balanced mix of cautiousness, patience, alertness with a dollop of love would surely make the transition more endearing and less stressful.
Feeding:
- Breastfeed newborn babies about eight to 12 times per day or about every 1 1/2 to 3 hours.
- Bottle fed newborn babies drink about 1 1/2 to 3 ounces of milk every 2 to 3 hours.
- Feed your baby whenever you feel he or she is hungry: If your baby is sucking on his or her fist, it is an indication that your baby is hungry offer to feed the baby.
- Make your baby fully awake while feeding. Sit your baby up to bottle feed, or play with his toes during breastfeeding.
- Burp your baby in between feeding: Sometimes baby's belly may be full of air, and as a result, drinking slows down. Burp your baby midway through the feeding.
Bathing:
Bathings of a newborn premature depend on the prematurity and the condition and type of his or her skin.
Bathings of a newborn premature depend on the prematurity and the condition and type of his or her skin.
- Plain water is fine for the first few tender months. The water should be tepid. This includes at nappy changing time use warm water and the soft cotton wool or organic cotton muslin wipes.
- Although the skin may appear dry, do not use any moisturiser. Check with your paediatrician whether the skin surface has become more robust to accept anything. Please start with any organic oil like coconut or olive oil.
- No need for washing of the whole body every day. With just the organic cotton cloth and tepid water, you can rub clean face neck head and toes and genital areas and bottom. Dry and wrap instantly.
Clothing:
- The ideal temperature to keep your baby comfortable and safe is around 25-degree centigrade.
- Ways of clothing your baby plays a vital part.layers of soft cotton can achieve it. - For example, a vest, and blankets or a zip-up sleeping bag as necessary. The thicknesses of layers can easily be adjusted depending on how warm or chilly the surroundings are.
- Cover the baby's head especially in the cold climate or during winter. the reason being is because more than 90% of the heat loss is through the head if it is left uncovered
Prevention of any infectious disease:
All of these would surely enable your child to catch up with their counterparts within three months and ensure you regularly visit your paediatrician.
- Preemies are susceptible to infection because their immune systems are still on the developmental mode than their counterpart. Try not put the baby in any smoking areas or even kitchen.
- Avoid public places for at least a month and a half or 45 days. (other than visits to your paediatrician.), especially if it's wintertime.
- Always limit visitors as this these become the most challenging part in the Indian scenarios and social system. Do not allow anyone suffering from cold or fever to visit. If you have any nanny or maid, please make it clear. If unavoidable, please provide them with the necessary mask and gloves even though it may incite many criticisms. Just ignore them as they would be soon forgotten easily.
All of these would surely enable your child to catch up with their counterparts within three months and ensure you regularly visit your paediatrician.