Please share an interesting fact about caring for a premie.

Ignore: Social workers are an invaluable resource for the family of a premature baby.

Ignore: The growth of premature infants is measured on special growth curves designed for premature infants.

Ignore: Most premature babies overcome their developmental delays within first two or three years of life.

Preemies: Preemies have two ages- chronologic age, actual age ; adjusted age, when they should have been born.

Most: Most premature babies will require extra care and attention.

Being: Being born premature does not equal a lifetime of health problems.

Extremely: Extremely premature babies can face a lifelong and long term respiratory health problem.

Premature: Premature infants r at a greater risk for cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness intellectual impairment.

Premature: Premature babies will basically shut down when overstimulated.

Eating: Eating problems in the preemie can carry through even into grade school.

A: A form of holding, Kangaroo Care, allowing skin2skin contact, keeps baby's body temp at right level.

A: A form of holding, Kangaroo Care, allowing skin2skin contact, keeps baby's breathing more even.

Kangaroo: Kangaroo Care, holding allows skin2skin contact keeps baby's heart rate & blood oxygen levels stable.

Although: Although Preemies born at/B4 25 wks have high # learning difficulties, 1/2 R doing reasonably well.

Using: Using Correctly sized diapers is a simple invention which prevents later motor problems in premies.

Parents: Parents & infant do best if involved in developmentally appropriate care programs Byond the hospital.

Certain: Certain problems may not Bcome apparent till school yrs when some premies need Special Education.

The: The earlier intervention begins, the better the outcomes for preemies 1/2 do reasonably well.

Each: Each yr, nearly 500,000 babies, 1 of every 8 infants born in the US are preemies.

Nutritional: Nutritional deficits are common in premature infants. Regular monitoring of growth is preventative.

Ignore: Exhaustion is common amongst new parents of a preemie and is a strain on a lot of marriages.

Premature: Premature infants are at risk for significant energy and protein deficits after hospital discharge.

Breast: Breast feeding is best for your premature infant. Adding fortified formula can improve weight gain.

Baby: Baby may not take normal amounts of milk during feedings until closer in age to term. This is normal.

Since: Since preemies don't feed on large volumes of breast milk, mom needs to pump often to keep producing.

Ask: Ask hospital staff for ideas on different breastfeeding holds as this may be necessary.

The: The "suck-swallow-breathe" reflex necessary for normal breastfeeding typically develops at 32 weeks.

If: If baby too immature to breastfeed at birth mom will need to pump breasts to sustain milk production.

Try: Try to anticipate hunger pangs and limit crying by breastfeeding frequently.This saves baby's energy.

Preterm: Preterm babies on average should be fed no less frequently than once every 3 hrs. (8 feedings/24hrs).

La: La Leche League International is a great resource for information on caring for preemies.

Ignore: Caring for a preemie involves giving special attention to his/her needs, feedings, and sleep/rest.

Kangaroo: Kangaroo Care benefits baby by aiding in retaining body warmth & regulating heart and breathing rate.

Kangaroo: Kangaroo Care aids in helping baby gain more deep sleep time, gain weight, & remain calm and alert.

Kangaroo: Kangaroo Care can help keep baby quiet and save metabolic energy necessary for growth and feeding.

Kangaroo: Kangaroo Care can boost mom's milk production & improve baby's chances of successful breastfeeding.

Kangaroo: Kangaroo Care can improve emotional confidence of parents as baby matures.

Kangaroo: Kangaroo care can boost immune system function to fight infections and reduce childhood allergies.

Kangaroo: Kangaroo care can be performed even if your baby is connected to tubes, IV's, and machines.

80%: 80% of 26 week preemies survive to 1 year of age.

90%: 90% of 27 week preemies survive to 1 year of age.

Preemies: Preemies have much less feeding problems and illness using breast milk for feeds. Start pumping!

Ignore: Immunizations - preterm infants get their vaccinations at the same time of life as full-term babies.

Ignore: In the winter months be careful about exposure to children under 5 - viruses can be devastating!

Ignore: Follow up with developmental specialists to maximize potential for normal development milestones.

Ignore: One should limit contact with other people to minimize transmission of viruses. The other good tip is to keep the baby warm but not overly so.