Please provide some do's and don'ts on caring for a premie.

Do: Do let your baby fall asleep on his own as he will make your life easier.Do not rock him to sleep.

Ignore: Don't allow people to touch the baby without washing their hands.

Ignore: Do make sure you know about your baby's necessary follow up appointments when discharges from nicu.

Ignore: Practice temperature control in the home. One layer of clothing for you, two for the preemie.

Do: Do talk and touch your preemies. Do not be afraid to pick your baby up.

Do: Do keep your appointments with the specialists. Do not forget to give medicines as prescribed.

Do: Do be patient, do not overfeed your preemie baby.

Do: Do congratulate the parents. Do not criticize, make bad comments to hurt the family's feelings.

Do: Do offer help and ask about the baby. Do not ask why baby was born premature.

Do: Do be in the NICU for your child daily. Don't spend so much time in hospital that you burn out.

Do: Do properly fit your preemie safely in a car seat.

Remember: Remember infants R resilient preemies often grow faster than full term babies.

If: If U have a child who was a premie it is important 2continually monitor his developmental progress.

Realize: Realize they need to be fed more often more often longer than term babies.

Feed: Feed premature infants on demand every 1.5 - 2 hrs. Enriched formulas may be added for weight gain.

It: It is a full-time job. You do need downtime. Get the assistance of loving parents or siblings to give you the chance to recover.

Ignore: Premies have specific nutritional and caloric needs. Talk to your doctor regularly about changes.

Monitor: Monitor your preemie, and keep your baby warm.

Ignore: After coming home from NICU: 1. Limit visitors to home 2. Limit amount of stranger touches of baby.

After: After coming home from NICU: 1. Avoid crowded plazas 2. Visitors to wash hands 3. No smoking.

Take: Take walks with baby outdoors, Visit friends & family, Only enter smoke free environments with baby.

Be: Be your child's advocate. Be Firm. Don't be rude, but don't be shy asking questions as needed.

Preemies: Preemies need extra calories for catch up growth. Small frequent feedings best way to achieve this.

Ignore: 1. Cover the head - heat loss is a big issue 2. Daily vits and iron - especially if breast.

Don't: Don't be afraid of your baby. Yes one should be gentle but the infant is not made of glass!

Ignore: Preterm babies take longer to regain their birth weight compared to full term babies.