Giving birth to a premature baby can be a very scary time. Often, it is touch and go while at the hospital. Furthermore, you and your newborn will have to stay there for a considerable length of time with a birth injury. For many reasons, it is in the best interests of your health and the baby’s to stay there until released.
Many mothers worry about taking their premature baby home as they won’t have help from the hospital’s team of doctors and nurses anymore. Plus, once you leave the hospital, you leave a lot of treatment equipment behind.
But that doesn’t mean that you and your newborn won’t be able to flourish once you get home. With these useful tips, your baby has the opportunity to have a very healthy start to life at home.
Don’t panic
Firstly, it’s very important not to panic about taking your premature baby home. After all, it must be healthy enough to leave the hospital or the doctors wouldn’t let you do so.
Repeat to yourself that everything will be fine at home and, if something were to go wrong, you will be given emergency contact details to get the help you need ASAP.
Watch what your baby eats
When you first get your baby home, you might be breastfeeding. If so, this process might go on for longer than usual to ensure your tiny baby gets plenty of nutrients to help build up their health.
Once your little one moves onto solid foods, you need to be extra careful about what you feed them. They’ll still be at risk of infections and other health conditions. Happy Tot Organic Superfoods can provide your young one with lots of important vitamins and minerals and other nutrients necessary for a healthy diet. They come in a range of flavors, so you are sure to find one that your baby will enjoy!
Get a car seat
It is now illegal to put your baby or toddler in a car without a correctly fitted car seat. As your premature baby is probably a lot smaller than other newborns, you might need a specialty model.
If you can’t find one that fits your baby in stores, speak to your child’s doctor to see if they can recommend a brand. You won’t be the first (or last) person to ask this so don’t worry about getting a strange look from the doctor about the question.
Protect your baby from infections
Premature babies are especially susceptible to infections, especially in winter because of the cold. To protect your child as much as possible, keep them away from anyone who has a cold or the flu. It’s also a good idea to take them out for a walk regularly so that they can get plenty of fresh air. Just make sure that they have a soft blanket so they stay warm during the outing.
Looking after a premature baby doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, you will find that it fills your life with incredible joy!
Great post! Will be bookmarking this one for the future!
I think it is scary anyway taking home a new baby.. A premature baby must be doubly worrisome. Great advice. :-)
Sue, I was reading the other day about “imposter syndrome,” which means a person thinks they are not qualified for the responsibility they are given… Perhaps this is what the new mom would feel with a premature baby… Hugs :)
Maybe so, in my own case, ( not premature) but no mother to help me through my own Motherhood at hand to give reassurances as at the time she was miles away from me.. I was lucky in that it was then customary to have 10 days in hospital with new baby.. Where you got time to learn with the help of nurses etc.. But even so, when you are at home, for the first time, each cry you are altered too and my own young baby son had colic, for three months.. I kept thinking it was something I was doing wrong.. Until the Dr relieved my fears..
So these young mums now who go home hours after giving birth I really feel for them.. A true learning curve for many..
<3 <3
Great post. I’m so thankful my babies were not premature. I was nervous enough being responsible for little humans when they were healthy. I can’t imagine what a mother of a premature baby has to go through.