A baby who is born before the due date is a premature baby. Babies often do not arrive exactly on their due date, but if your baby comes into the world a week or so early, this does not mean he is premature. Premature babies are usually kept at the hospital until they are strong enough to go home and the doctor is satisfied that there will be no health problems.
Even at home a premature baby still requires special care. He will need more frequent feeding because he cannot take as much feed as a full-term baby. If a preemie is not fed frequently there is a risk of becoming dehydrated. If the premature baby has five or six wet nappies per day then he is getting enough fluids.
Premature babies usually need to have an iron supplement and may also need extra vitamins. Iron is given as a liquid, with a specific number of drops being given each day. These may be kept up for a year or more – your doctor or health-care provider will advise you. If the baby is bottle fed, special premature formula should be given.
It is important to have regular weight checks for a premature baby to ensure they are gaining enough weight. It will often take two years for a premature baby to catch up with a full term baby as far as weight, size and activities go. So if your toddler seems smaller or slower than others his age, you don’t need to worry. But it is advisable to keep checking with the doctor or nurse so that any problems can be caught early.
A premature baby should not be started on solids at six months of age like a full term baby is. The preemie’s muscles are slower to develop and so his ability to swallow will not be developed as soon as a full term baby. Instead, introduce solids six months from the date he was supposed to arrive.
Even a premature baby should be put to sleep on his back. A firm mattress with no pillow should be used. This will help to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
A baby who is premature will have very delicate skin that will not need bathing every day. Instead, if the skin seems dry and flaky, a gentle massage with warmed olive oil may be sufficient. When bathing baby make sure the water is lukewarm – not hot or too cold. Keep the room warm and never allow baby to get cold. Deeper water that covers the torso will help to keep baby warm.
Some people find that keeping baby wrapped in a muslin cloth while being lifted into the water gives a feeling of security. This can be gradually unwrapped and then left behind when lifting baby out of the water. Also allowing the feet to tough the end of the bath will make baby feel more secure.
When drying baby, keep the bottom half covered with the towel while drying the top half, then cover the chest and arms while you dry the bottom half. Patting rather than rubbing will prevent the delicate skin from becoming chafed.