Preterm infants are infants born before the 37th week of pregnancy, writes the American Family Physician. When the baby reaches a body weight of 4 lbs., 6 oz., or when she can maintain her own body temperature in an open crib, she is ready for discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. Parents should take their preterm baby for weekly visits to monitor and document weight gain, and her adaptation to her home. Her vitamin and mineral supplementation, caloric and fluid intake should be monitored during the weekly visits to her pediatrician.
Step 1
Roll a hand towel lengthwise and place this around the baby's head and shoulders when you place him in his car seat. The towel provides extra support so he doesn't slump to the side of his car seat. Be cautious about placing the car seat straps around his head or abdomen, according to the American Family Physician.
Step 2
Supplement your baby's feedings--breast or bottle--with any prescribed infant vitamins or iron, recommends the Family Doctor website. The supplemental iron and vitamins aid in her healthy growth, as well as increasing their natural store of iron. Preterm babies are not born with as much iron as a full-term baby.
Step 3
Feed your preterm infant with the special formula recommended by his doctor, if he is bottle-fed, says the Family Doctor. When feeding your baby, put him on a four-hour feeding schedule. Don't go more than four hours between feedings and plan to feed him about eight to 10 times a day.
Step 4
Place your preterm baby to sleep on her back. Make sure her bassinet or crib mattress is firm and remove all pillows or soft, fluffy items, recommends the Family Doctor. Placing your baby to sleep on her stomach and using a soft mattress increases her risk of dying of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.
Step 5
Introduce solid food--rice cereal and a single-ingredient pureed vegetable--at four to six months after the baby's due date. His ability to swallow solid food is not sufficiently developed until he is 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 months past his due date, according to the American Family Physician.
Step 6
Watch your baby's eyes closely. Preterm babies are more prone to developing crossed eyes, or strabismus, writes the Family Doctor. This problem may go away by itself; if it does not, your baby's pediatrician may recommend taking her to an eye doctor.
Tips and Warnings
- Take your baby for his immunizations on the same schedule as a full-term infant. He may need to receive a flu shot at 6 months.
- If your baby is on an apnea monitor, use it even when you transport her in your car.
Things You'll Need
- Rolled towel
- Prescription baby vitamins
- Prescription iron
- Prescription formula
