Imagine you are all excited to welcome a little one to your home. You are worried because your baby has been born few weeks in advance and is immature and /or low birth weight. Once you have your little bundle of joy in your lap. No doubt, your joy would know no bounds. However, at the same time, you must be worried and anxious about the health of the premature baby. Fret not, the experts at the top hospital in Dehradun can provide you with the necessary support and recommend effective tips to care for your baby. Read on to explore everything in detail!
Understanding the Challenges of Premature Babies
Premature birth may pose several health challenges for the little ones. Some of the common issues are difficulty in maintaining body temperature, low birth weight, higher risk of infections, respiratory issues, feeding difficulties and slow growth. However, with the support and assistance of the professionals at the best hospital in Dehradun, you can be rest assured of the optimum safety and well-being of the baby.
Top Caring Tips You Must Know
It is no surprise that premature babies require extra attention, monitoring, and care. The core aim is to ensure that they develop and grow healthily. Delve into the key caring tips recommended by the experts!
#1 Get expert consultation even when the child is apparently healthy:
A premature baby has very fragile body and body organs. These miniature human need utmost care painstakingly. Not every doctor has the expertise to provide guidance for care of these little bundles of joy. A neonatologist is what you must consult in order to get the best guidance and advice.
#2 Focus on Proper Feeding
Premature babies may have underdeveloped sucking reflexes. As a result, they struggle with feeding. No doubt, breast milk is the most nutritious food for your little one. However, at times, breast milk needs to be boosted with additional vitamins, minerals, and proteins to meet the nutritional requirements of the premature baby. All the feeding advice must be supervised by an adept neonatologist because any deviation from what is optimum might lead to disasters. Also, proper burping is essential to prevent the chances of reflux and gas. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to avoid feeding issues and ensure that your baby gets the right amount of nutrients for optimal growth.
Sometimes, when breast milk is not secreted properly because of maternal anxiety or everted nipples like issues, a consultation with lactation specialist can bring about paradigm changes.
#3 Create a Comfortable Environment
Premature babies are sensitive to changes in temperature. Therefore, the experts at Altrus HealthCare recommend maintaining optimum room temperature where your baby feels safe and comfortable. Try to maintain your room temperature at 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. Moreover, ensure that the surroundings of your baby are calm, quiet, and clean. For that, you can consider soft lighting in your room and avoid any kind of loud noise. Also, try to avoid exposure of your premature babies to dust, allergen, and smoke as their lungs are delicate.
#4 Practice Kangaroo Mother Care
Are you hearing this term for the very first time? Well, it’s all about skin-to-skin contact. This care approach proves to be ideal for premature babies and plays a crucial role in regulating their body temperature. Apart from that, it also helps in strengthening the parent-child bond and enhances the breathing of the little one. Wondering how do you practice kangaroo mother care? Please consult a child specialist at ALtrus hospital to understand the procedure and benefit in better way
#5 Understand the Sleep Patterns of the Baby
Premature babies require much more sleep compared to normal babies. They sleep for several hours a day. However, their sleep cycles are usually shorter. Make sure to put your baby to bed on their back and not on the stomach. Try establishing a proper bedtime. At that time, you can dim the lights in the room, sing soft lullabies to them, and gently rock them. All these efforts will enable them to sleep peacefully. In case your child experiences breathing issues or any reflux difficulties while sleeping, be sure to reach out to healthcare professionals at the earliest.
#6 Maintain Proper Hygiene
Premature babies are undoubtedly at high risk of infection. Therefore, you need to be more careful. The seasoned healthcare professionals at Altrus HealthCare advise that it is always best to wash your hands with soap and water before and after touching the little ones.
Moreover, keeping their surroundings clean and tidy is vital. If anyone in your family is sick or has a cold, limit them from coming in contact with the baby. The core aim is to reduce the risk of illness and ensure optimal health for the little one.
#7 Closely Monitor Growth and Development
The weight gain in premature babies might be slow. However, consistent progress is a positive sign. Consult the neonatalogists at Altrus HealthCare, the best hospital in Dehradun, to gain more insights about the developmental milestones of premature babies.
#8 Check for Warning Signs
When you have a premature baby, you must be prepared for emergencies. Providing the right care at the right time will ensure optimal health for your little one. Be very alert about changes in feeding habits, breathing patterns, and behavior of the baby. Signs like bluish skin, fever, excessive sleepiness, and difficulty breathing require immediate medical attention.
Conclusion
If a premature baby is born, it is quite common to be worried about the health and well-being of the little one. However, with proper care and assistance from the professionals, you do not have to worry about anything. Are you looking for a trusted hospital in Dehradun for premature baby care? Altrus HealthCare is indeed the name you can trust.
As a leading hospital, we have a team of experienced professionals in our neonatology department. We focus on delivering specialised care to premature babies and addressing all the potential concerns of new parents. From infection control to nutritional support, we can help you with everything.