Pre-protection for the Preemies

When we use the word prematurity, it refers to a broad category of neonates who are born in less than 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm or premature babies are also at higher risk of acquiring an infection after birth which is known as late onset infection. This is because of two reasons- first, their immunity is low and the second is that the baby needs intensive care where instruments like intravenous lines, blood tests and intubation tubes make them vulnerable to infections. 

Many times, the onset of an infection tends to go unnoticed but, because with premature babies, the risk of catching an infection is very high, it is always important to notice the slightest of signs. 
Some of the common signs are:

Poor feeding
Breathing difficulty
Listlessness (Lethargy)
A very low or very high body temperature
Unusual skin rash or change in skin color
Consistent crying
Unusual irritability
Extra or no sleep

While, treating a premature baby for an infection might be difficult, preventing the child from an infection is a lot easier. Some of the necessary steps you can take to prevent your premature baby from an infection are as follows: 

Breastfeeding
A mother’s milk is designed to not only fulfill the baby’s hunger but is full of antibodies which helps strengthen her baby’s immune system to fight infections. Breast milk as compared to formula, reduces the risk of disease over a lifetime. Different types of fats in the mother’s milk, like omega-3 fatty acids, optimise brain growth and development in the preterm infant who missed crucial growth occurring in the last trimester.

Clean hands
 Washing or sanitizing your hands every time, before feeding your preemie or before playing with your preemie is very important as your baby can catch infections very easily. When if you’re in the hospital make sure your hands are clean and make sure the same for the nurses and your husband.

Few Guests
Whether your preemie is in hospital or at home make sure they don’t have too many visitors. More the number of relatives / friends picking the baby up and playing with them, more the chances of them getting infected. 

Skin to skin contact 
 Also known as ‘Kangaroo Mother Care’, it is the practice of providing continuous skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby and exclusive breastmilk feeding.  Studies conducted around, Kangaroo mother care has proven to decrease mortality and morbidity in preterm and low birth-weight infants, by providing protection from infection; regulating temperature, breathing, and brain activity; thus encouraging mother-baby bonding.

So, for all the new parents who have a premature baby, there is nothing to worry about. If you follow the few basic guidelines and give your little one all the love and attention he/she needs, both you and your Preemie would be healthy and happy.

By: Dr Vidhi Beri, CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator and member of Medela India Lactation consultant club