The Specific Needs of Preterm (Premature) Babies

Understanding Preterm Birth

Preterm birth, also known as premature birth, is defined by a baby being born before 37 weeks of gestation.
Preterm babies often have specific health needs due to their underdeveloped body organs and systems.

Initial Care in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Most preterm babies will require immediate care in the NICU post-delivery for monitoring and managing any immediate health complications.
In the NICU, medical staff uses specialised equipment to support the baby’s undeveloped bodily functions such as breathing and feeding.

Breastfeeding and Nutritional Needs

Preterm babies typically have higher nutritional requirements to support their rapid growth and brain development.
They may struggle with breastfeeding due to weak sucking and swallowing reflexes. Expressed breast milk or special formula might be provided via a feeding tube until the baby is strong enough to feed orally.

Temperature Regulation

Premature babies have a high surface area to body weight ratio, meaning they lose heat more quickly. They often require additional help in maintaining body temperature within a safe range.
In most cases, an incubator or radiant warmer is used to provide a controlled, warm environment for the baby.

Respiration Support

If born too early, a baby’s lungs might not be fully developed, leading to conditions like Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).
Breathing support through ventilators or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines might be required until the lungs mature.

Monitoring of Health Complications

Preterm babies are at higher risk of health problems such as infections, brain haemorrhages, gastrointestinal issues, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and chronic lung disease.
Regular medical check-ups and screening tests are crucial to detect and address these health issues early on.

Lowered Sensory Stimulation

The environment must be kept quiet and dimmed to emulate the conditions within a mother’s womb, as too much light and noise can cause overstimulation and stress to the preterm baby.

Parental Involvement and Bonding

Even in NICU, parents are encouraged to be closely involved in their baby’s care such as during feeding and skin contact times.
This not only supports the baby’s emotional well-being, but also aids in forming a strong parent-infant bond.

Long-Term Developmental Support

Preterm babies may experience delays in their physical, cognitive, speech and social-emotional development compared to full-term babies.
Hence, regular developmental assessment and necessary early intervention services are vital to ensure optimal growth and development.

Caring for a preterm baby is a complex task, requiring not only medical intervention but also the love, warmth, and support from the parents. It’s important to remember that every preterm baby is different and advances at their own pace, so patience and understanding is key in this journey.