If you are a newbie mother to a premature baby then read on. Because I am sharing with you what it takes to be a premature baby’s mother. I wanted to write about it for a long but couldn’t gather enough courage to revisit the time and put it in words. Am sure someone who has gone through this can relate and knows that giving birth to a premie is such an emotional and physical turmoil. Though I am not a medical expert this is just what I have gone through.
1. What does it mean when we say premature baby?
A baby born before the due date is a premature baby. Well! Born a week or two earlier than the due date is still not a concern medically. But if it is a few weeks to a month or two earlier, then it is a cause for concern. Only because the baby might need hospitalization for a few weeks to reach an optimum weight level and some other factors to finally go home.
2. Premature baby weight
Before discharge from the hospital, there are certain criteria that need to be met like if the baby is able to take feeds(breastfeed or bottle-feed), if there are any Apnea episodes(when there are pauses while breathing which leads to slow heartbeat) if the baby is out of all the infections like jaundice which is quite normal in case of a premie. And most important if the baby has reached a certain body weight.
How fast the baby is recovering and gaining weight would determine how many days he/she is going home.
3. What does it take to be a mother of a premature baby?
The joy of a newborn:
When you have given birth to your baby you are filled with joy and the tribulations that you go through during the process fade out instantly at the sight of the baby. Now imagine that you have gone through all of the pain but the baby is not with you but in NICU. Can’t explain this in words but it takes a lot of courage to go through this.
Breastfeeding and Engorged Breast:
When you have increased breastmilk supply it can sometimes lead to breast engorgement. It is most easily sorted by feeding the baby. This is an issue when your baby is in the NICU. You have no option but to pump. So keep a good quality breast pump ready so that you can easily breastfeed the baby once home. Tried a manual breast pump. But My life was so easy because of the electric one. You can check the one I used below:
Sleepless nights:
Don’t know what is it with sleep but somehow I was very sleepy all the time. Possibly because of the medications that were given as SOS after surgery.
Exercise:
Do not get vary of your weight. Eventually, it will all be gone with a certain determination towards exercise.
Read the 6 best and must-do exercises for new moms’ article to know when a newbie mother should start exercising.
It took 28 days for my baby to come home. And these 28 days I only saw my baby for a couple of hours a day while Breastfeeding. And I cherished each second of me with the baby.
4. What are some things to take care of when the baby is home?
Wow! Finally, the day of the baby coming home has come. Filled with joy but very nervous thinking about I would be able to take care of her or not. But it is true when they say motherhood teaches you everything that you need to know for a baby.
So the baby is home now. Here are a few things to take care of;
- A pediatrician on call
Make sure that you have your doctor’s number handy for any emergency situation.
- Limit the visits
Everyone at home is excited but tell them about the possible infections that the baby can acquire just by touching the baby. I am sure they will understand and postpone their visit.
- Kangaroo hug
This is one of the most important things for a premie. Just a mother hugging the baby helps them grow faster. It’s not me saying this, it’s science.
- Vaccinations
Premie babies are susceptible to various infections more often than a baby who is born per the due date. So timely Vaccinations are a must. A new mother is often overwhelmed between the feeding sessions so there are chances you might lose track. So Stick the vaccination card somewhere it is visible. Remember, out of sight out of mind. And you can’t afford that for your baby.
- Medicines or Supplements
Often babies are given vitamin and weight-gaining supplements. I had prepared a chart and stuck it on my cupboard so that I didn’t miss giving those.
One article that really helped me through this time is website on kids health.
5. Bottomline
If you are having a good breastmilk supply, go ahead and donate breastmilk. Can’t believe this? Even I was not aware that there are mothers who do not get enough breastmilk supply. So they buy breastmilk instead of going for formula milk. Isn’t this great? The milk is collected from a nursing mother who is not biologically related to the recipient baby. Of course, It is screened and processed. Check with your pediatrician if you want to.
Just a suggestion to a premie’s mom, if you are home away from your premie utilize this time to recover from the surgery or any health-related issue. So that when the baby is home you are 100 % in, to take care of your bundle of joy.
Disclaimer: After a year, you would not believe this mischievous human is the same who was once a quiet little human.
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Love Poornima
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