According to MedlinePlus, an infant is considered premature if the mother gives birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature infants experience lower birth weights and, depending on how early they arrive, may suffer from additional medical conditions because their organs may not be fully developed. The hospital will care for the premature infant until he is healthy enough to go home, but he may require additional special care from his parents.
Step 1
Travel safely with your premature infant. The American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, advises parents of premature infants to use an infant car seat exclusively, starting on the trip home from the hospital. Roll up towels or diapers to tuck on either side of your baby to prevent her from slouching. Make sure the car seat straps do not cover her head or abdomen.
Step 2
Pump breast milk to stimulate a continuous milk flow while your preemie is in the hospital and afterward if your pediatrician prescribes a supplemental high-calorie formula. Breastfed infants are less likely to suffer from infections, and they have higher developmental scores than formula-fed infants, according to the AAFP. A mother's milk flow may wane if her preemie nurses less because the infant fills up quickly on the high-calorie supplement. Pumping ensures a strong milk flow.
Step 3
Feed your premature infant every two or three hours, or between eight and 10 feedings daily. According to the AAFP, your preemie is getting adequate fluid if he has between six and eight wet diapers every day. Do not wait longer than four hours to feed your baby.
Step 4
Introduce your infant to solid foods no sooner than four months past his original due date. For example, if your preemie was born two months early, she will be six months old before she is four months past her due date. Avoid giving her cow's milk until she is one year past her due date. Consult her pediatrician before changing her diet.
Step 5
Stimulate your preemie by rocking him and moving him often. "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Child Development" recommends frequent gentle rocking and other supplemental movements as potentially beneficial to a premature infant's development. These movements simulate the rocking motions felt by an unborn infant in the womb. Infant massage may also be beneficial for a premature baby's development.
Step 6
Coax your preemie to sleep by dimming the lights or by playing soft, soothing music. Preemies may sleep more hours during the day than full term babies may, but they may wake more frequently. Position your baby on her back for sleeping to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Step 7
Attend all recommended follow-up medical examinations. According to the AAFP, preemies are at an increased risk of vision and hearing disorders, other medical conditions and learning disabilities. With frequent monitoring and testing, early intervention may increase your baby's chance of successfully overcoming these obstacles.
Tips and Warnings
- Measure your baby's developmental milestones from his due date, not from his birth date, advises the AAFP.
References
- MedlinePlus: Premature Infant
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Care of the Premature Infant
- "The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Child Development"; Brian Hopkins; 2005
