Now that your sweet baby/preemie is strong enough to leave the NICU at the hospital, you may have endless questions like, “How do I properly care for my preemie?” It’s a scary thing to think about but it is also quite normal. If you are in need of some tips and support you have come to the right place. After I give you some tips that are straight from experienced parents and professionals I will lead you to a community for parents with preemies so that you may connect and share your stories, cares, concerns, etc.

Caring for your Preemie

• Be sure you have chosen the right pediatrician for your family and make medical appointments.
• Receive specialized training in CPR.
• If your preemie is a boy, you will most likely need to make a decision about circumcision. This may be done before your preemie leaves the hospital just like a full term baby boy.
• Make sure you have the appropriate car seat placed in the back seat of your vehicle facing the rear. Three-point or five-point harness systems are the best.
• Success in feeding and sleeping is so very important for a preemie.
• If your home is very warm, make sure your preemie only wears a diaper.
• Moms, make sure you take care of yourself too. Enough rest, eating properly, and exercise is very important.

For more benefical tips on how to care for your preemie, check out “taking home your preemie” on kidshealth.org.

If you would like to join a community of moms who are currently caring for a preemie, join “moms of preemies” on circleofmoms.com.

Source: Kids Health

Image: Wikimedia Commons

I am sure this can be a very sensitive topic when it comes to the health of your preemie but the fact of the matter is you have to do what you feel is right for your little one. I think as long as you instruct your family members and friends to thoroughly wash their hands before they hold your preemie, there shouldn’t be a problem. If anyone in your family or any of your friends have even the slightest cold, kindly ask them if they can hold off until they are free and clear since preemies can catch any cold or virus very quickly, and it is much harder for them to fight germs off. This could cause health problems and further complications.

If you do decide to let friends and family members hold your early addition after washing their hands, don’t let them hold him or her for too long. The bond with the mother is very important at this stage in preemie development. Being around too many adults for a long period of time can hinder that bond since preemie’s are very different than that of your full term newborn. I am sure your friends and family will understand, especially because of the state of your baby.

Most definitely do not let any stranger even come remotely close since so many adults carry so many germs. Even a slight little touch can cause your preemie to get sick very quickly. It is best if you don’t go out too much with your preemie to avoid this problem. Plus, keeping track of his body temperature is very important, so leaving the home too much is probably not a good idea.

I personally did not experience a preemie birth but I am close to someone who did and got to see exactly what she went through to keep her little one safe from all sorts of germs. It’s definitely a very delicate situation not only for the preemie but also for the mother and father of the preemie. If you are currently a parent to a preemie, don’t let friends and family tell you what to do or what is best for your little one. Only you and your baby’s pediatrician can tell you that.

Are you are parent to a preemie? What were your rules regarding letting family and friends hold him or her? Please share your experiences with us.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

During the hot summer months, you want your preemie or newborn to be comfortable and healthy, especially if you find yourself without air conditioning. Maybe consider purchasing some fans to help keep your rooms nice and cool while your little one adjusts to their new environment. While the temperatures could reach a scorching level, how can you be sure your preemie will be safe? 

Here are some summer safety tips that may help you with caring for your preemie or newborn.

Summer Safety Tips

- If all possible, keep your sweet little one out of the sun. Shade is of utmost importance including a summer hat that will completely shade their face. If you must be in the sun be sure to apply sunscreen (baby safe) to avoid sun damage. If possible, consult your preemie’s pediatrician regarding the usage of sunscreen on preemies.

- Be sure your preemie or newborn is staying hydrated. Water is not the answer. Consider feeding your baby more frequently since babies under 6 months of age should not consume water.

- Be sure there is proper air circulation in your vehicle. 

- Never leave a baby unattended in a carrier for even a minute. Heat temperatures can double very quickly inside a closed vehicle.

- Keep your preemie or newborn protected from insects. It is suggested to cover carriers and strollers with a special netting to avoid bug bites such as mosquitoes.

For more summer safety tips for caring for your little one check out summer tips on madeformums.com.

Source: About

Image: Life123.com

Many of us know the benefits of vaccinating our babies, but then there are the possible risks that seem to have parents on pins and needles these days.  Does the same apply to preemies?  This is a good question, and one I had to research pretty quickly as there has been ongoing confusion if vaccinations are safe for preemies since they are not as developed as healthy newborns. Here is what I found:

According to the Labor of Love,  “just like a newborn, the decision to vaccinate your preemie is entirely up to you.” But, and this is a big but, if you decide to get your preemie vaccinated at two months old, you should take every precaution possible as they are at an “increased risk for respiratory and/or heart side effects.” This is why waiting until more than two months after they are born to have them vaccinated is recommended. Because so many preemies have multiple health conditions, getting them too many vaccinations all at once can put them at great risk of continued health problems, which you most definitely want to avoid.  Studies do show that “preemies do have the worse reactions to vaccines just within 48 hours than other babies.”

I guess the best overall advice to any parent with a preemie is to just wait until your preemie is older to avoid those medical and health risks. Again, it is up to you what you choose to do, but don’t forget to ask your preemie’s pediatrician for advice before going forward with any vaccinations.

For more information, check out Tundraco’s Daily Living Guide.

Source: Labor of Love

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Preemies are so extra sweet and extra special, but there may be many concerns that arise for you as the parent.  One of those many concerns may be how much your preemie should be fed.  Some new moms still choose to breastfeed their babies even though they feel it may not be enough or may be too much.  Some mothers choose to simply bottle feed their preemies, but how much should a little one like a preemie consume in one feeding?  Here are some tips that I have found to be helpful and hopefully you also will find them helpful as you transition at home with your preemie.

Tips on how to bottle feed your preemie

You have probably figured out by now that bottle feeding is a major challenge for preemies because of the strength and energy that it takes.  Follow these tips suggested by Stacy Connerty over at eHow.com:

- Only begin feeding when you see signs that your little one is actually hungry.  When you see signs such as sucking their fingers, crying, etc., be sure to have the bottle handy to begin feeding your preemie.

- Give your preemie a brief taste of the formula or breast milk by putting a drop on your finger and placing it in her little mouth. Hopefully this will jumpstart her urge to feed.

- Try as much as possible to keep any air out of the bottle. We know this can be the cause of major gas in preemies and newborns.  Consider purchasing bottles that prevent gas.

- Burp your preemie as often as possible and allow her to rest in between feedings.

- Watch for signs that your little one is finished feeding.  Usually a good sign is a baby falling a sleep while feeding.

Every baby is different and only you as the parent know your baby better than anyone else.  Take the time to observe your baby’s every physical sign.  This will be helpful in determining what your preemie needs.

Source: eHow

Image: Preemie Prints

Ahhh yes, garage sales. If you are like me, you probably enjoy garage sales, specifically ones that have mainly children’s items. Just recently I visited a garage sale that had what seemed like endless amounts of baby clothing ranging from preemie to older babies. If you think about it, babies do grow quickly, so it’s in our best interest to buy items that are as inexpensive as possible – if not free. (Gotta love those hand me downs, right?)  This recent garage sale was fabulous as the prices ranged from 25 cents to $1.00.  Can’t beat that!

If you are lucky, you can even find garage sale baby clothes that still have the price tags on them. Obviously this means that the original owner of the clothing never got around to those clothes and put them out for resale. After my babies were born, I was fortunate to buy a whole box of clothing at a garage sale that still had the price tags on them, and they were marked 25 cents to $1.00 an item. This also works out perfectly as you don’t have to worry about old stains on the clothes which, unfortunately, you have to watch out for since many people do put out their stain covered clothes. It’s definitely worth what I like to call “garage sale hopping” to get deals like this. Why pay an arm and a leg for baby clothes when they are going to outgrow them in just a few short weeks?

What do you think? Would you consider purchasing your baby clothes from a garage sale? Maybe you already do. Share your successful experiences with us, we would love to hear from you!

Image: m_bartosch

When my son was born in 2008 at 38 weeks, he was considered a full term baby. But when the National Center for Health Statistics released its final birth data for the same year, they coined the new term “early term”.

Early term describes any newborn born at 37-38 weeks gestation, in between the preterm and full term stages. Why the need for this new terminology? Studies show that babies born during this period are more at risk for certain disorders, including autism and dyslexia. Furthermore, early term infants have a higher incidence of respiratory complications that can increase the risk for childhood asthma.

Indeed, there isn’t much control for many of these babies who simply choose to come a bit early. And while the majority of early term babies are born just fine, there is a growing concern over the higher-than-ever Cesarean section rate. The majority of scheduled c-sections are performed at 39 weeks or less, increasing the rate of early term infants.

Yet just like babies who choose to enter the world early, many c-sections need to be performed early for health concerns affecting mom or baby. Experts encourage doctors and expecting moms to rethink elective c-sections or early inductions, giving unborn babies as much time as possible in utero, provided the baby is thriving. Every week is critical to an infant’s development, and at this point, important organs including the brain are still developing.

Image c/o Melimama

If you are a new mom deciding to bottle feed your preemie or newborn, you may be wondering what type of bottle would be good for your sweet new addition. Let’s take a look at the few brands of bottles out there that are ideal for preemies and newborns:

Types of bottles

• Playtex Drop-In bottles – You can push out all the air and the bags are collapsible. They are BPA free.
• Gerber NuK Orthodontic with air vents – these bottles are designed for healthy gums. The air vent reduces gassiness.
• Dr. Brown bottles help with acid reflux.
• Avent bottles cut down on painful gas and the nipples range from slow, medium, to fast flow.
• Green to Grow bottles are BPA free.
• Dr. Weil bottles are made out of glass and are perfect for stages 1-4.

If you are unsure what BPA is, it is an industrial chemical used to make plastic resins. The BPA-free bottles mentioned above go the extra mile for the health of your baby.

What type of bottle did you use for your preemie or newborn? Was it a type of bottle not mentioned on the list above? We would love to hear from you.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

When it’s time to welcome home your sweet new baby to your family, a lot of adjustments will need to be made, especially if the newborn is a preemie!  So many questions have probably flooded your mind, questions like: “what should the thermostat be set at (if it’s in the colder months)? Or, “what kinds of cleaning products are safe to use around the house with a preemie?”. These are all excellent questions and ones that may be answered by your child’s pediatrician. 

Though some of the questions do relate to the health of your preemie, what about the questions that deal directly with your preemie like; “How do I bathe my preemie?“  Here are a few detailed tips for how to bathe your preemie effectively but safely according to Meriter.com.

How to bathe your preemie

• Always find a warm place in your home to bathe and be sure to have these supplies: Baby bathtub, towel, two washcloths, a very mild soap and baby shampoo, new diaper, clean clothes and a blanket.
• The bathtub should be filled with warm water.  Be sure to feel it to make sure it is not too hot.
• While washing your preemie’s face, make sure your baby is covered to avoid chills. 
• Clean your preemie’s outer ears and ear folds with a washcloth.
• To wash your preemie’s head, keep him covered and hold his little head in a football hold and gently wash with shampoo.
• Remove your baby’s clothing and diaper to begin bathing his whole body.  Wash the diaper area first before placing your preemie in the baby tub.  It is also recommended to keep your infant covered and safely positioned in the bathtub if he is having a hard time with the bath itself.  Going in stages may be helpful.
• If possible, have someone help you wash your baby, since doing it alone can be difficult and risky.
• After drying off your preemie, dress him in a clean diaper and clothing, then bundle your sweet baby.

*Oils and lotions are not recommended for preemies.

If you are a parent of a preemie, do you have any concerns about bathing?  If so, please feel free to share with us.  Or, maybe you have some helpful tips that are not listed above.  We would love to hear from you.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Source: Meriter

Bringing home a newborn is a challenging task in its own. However, bringing home a preemie… well, that poses a whole new set of worries for new parents. One of the most critical factors in caring for premature babies is paying close attention to their health and nutrition and making sure to take baby to the pediatrician often.

You may find yourself overwhelmed at the thought of selecting a pediatrician that you feel you can trust. Don’t worry – these doctors are highly trained in this field. Before selecting your pediatric care center, it is a good idea to visit several in your area so you canvrest assured you made the right decisions.

Here are a few things you may want to ask the staff (or even the doctor if he is available to speak):

• Do you have separate waiting rooms for children that are sick and healthy children? (This lowers your baby’s chance of becoming ill at a time when his immune system is not fully developed.)
• If I have an emergency after hours, how long will it take for me to get a response if I call your answering service?
• Do you put a strong emphasis on nutrition for premature babies?
• Does your office provide referrals to specialists or early-intervention programs?
• Will the same doctor be seeing my preemie at every visit?

It is always a good idea to ask your OBGYN if they know of any good pediatricians that they may be able to recommend. Also, check with your insurance company to get a list of providers in your area that are covered under your baby’s insurance.

Image c/o www.bakersfieldmom.com