If you want to take proper care of your baby you need to make sure that it is comfortable at all times. This means that the body temperature of a child should not be too cold or too hot. Babies can be kept really healthy and still it is very common for fever to appear. This is normal and is nothing to worry too much about but you might take some precautions in order to make sure that you are doing the best you can to take proper care of your baby. If the temperature of the body of the child stays high for a longer period of time you need to go see the doctor as this might indicate some deeper problems.  If you want to take proper care of your baby you might find the next few lines interesting since they present some tips for dealing with baby fever.

Ideal temperature for the baby to sleep

Babies do not need their rooms to be heated so that they can sleep well. According to many studies in a cool room both the child and its parents can sleep well. The best temperature would be around 18 degrees Celsius or 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Babies need to wear fewer clothing items during the summer the same way their parents do. This means that you need to make sure that your baby wears light clothing especially while asleep so that it is not overheated. In case the weather outside is cold you can use a blanket to wrap your child. However, during the night you should remove the extra layers of clothing you have put on your baby to take proper care of it and make sure it does not get overheated.

How to read the temperature of your baby?

Many people know that you can tell whether a child is too hot or too cold by touching the soles of their feet or their palms. However, these are not very good indicators of the body temperature of the child. Proper baby care requires you to know how to properly measure the body temperature of your kid. If you want to be accurate about the temperature of the baby you need to place your hand flat on its chest or its back. In case the feeling is pleasantly warm it means normal body temperature of the child. In case the child is too hot he or she might be sweaty too and have a heat rash near the neck. The face might also be a bit flushed. This means that you should instantly remove some of the layers of the clothing of the baby to make it feel better. In case the baby is cold it will surely shiver and cry. Sometimes when a baby gets too cold it will not move at all so as to save some energy for heating of the body and these are sure signs you need to cover your child. Sometimes, a higher body temperature or fever might be caused by an infection , for example – a red bottom (or as we say in Denmark – baby rød numse udslæt). To prevent that, you may want to take a look at this.

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Going into labour early and giving birth to a premature baby can be a frightening. Then when visiting your baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for the first timer you are likely to be confronted with numerous machines, which your baby maybe attached to, and that you have no idea what they are for.

Below is a guide to the equipment you may find in the NICU, hopefully this will answer any questions you may have and help put your mind at ease.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
The NICU is a medically equipped unit designed to take care of premature and ill babies. Your premature baby will be cared for care by specially trained NICU staff.

Radiant Warmer
A Radiant Warmer is a unit, which has a mattress inside for your baby to lie on and heater overhead. Newborn babies need help to regulate their body temperature, this is even more important for a preemie baby. The Radiant Warmer keeps your baby warm and also allows the NICU Staff to access them with ease to monitor and provide medical care. A premature baby is often taken to the NICU in a Radiant Warmer, later they may be transferred into an incubator.  Some Radiant Warmers have a lid that can be closed to transform the warmer into an incubator.

Incubator
Once your baby is stable he or she will be moved to an incubator, which is a large Plexiglass box with a mattress inside, these are also known as an Isolette.  An Isolette helps your preemie baby maintain their body temperature.  Incubator safe premature baby clothes are available from specialist shops.

Pulse Oximeter
A Pulse Oximeter is a device used to measure the amount of oxygen in the baby’s blood. A small probe is placed on a baby’s wrist, finger or foot and held in place with a bandage. The readings from the Pulse Oximeter are displayed on a monitor often along with their respiratory rate, oxygen intake and heart rate. The probe is often placed on the foot of a premature baby; this may be rotated throughout the day to ensure the probe does not damage the baby’s delicate skin.

Transcutaneous Monitor
A Transcutaneous Monitor measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the baby’s blood. An electrode is placed on the baby’s skin to measure this.

Heart Monitor
A Heart Monitor is used to monitor the baby’s heart rate. A sensor is attached to your baby’s chest and their heart rate is displayed on a monitor, often with a reading from the Pulse Oximeter. If the baby’s heart rate goes up or down too much an alarm will sound to notify the NICU staff.

Monitor Screen
The Monitor Screen is used to display readings from any monitor your baby is attached to. This includes oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiratory rate. If any level drops too low or goes too high an alarm will sound and the NICU staff will make any adjustments they need and provide any necessary medical care.

Ventilator
A Ventilator is used to help premature babies with immature lungs breath. The Ventilator helps to regulate the mixture of oxygen, as well as the rate and pressure. A tube called an endotracheal tube is placed in the windpipe allowing the Ventilator to push oxygen into the lungs. Ventilators are programmed to fit each baby’s need; some babies need more help than others. You will find two pieces of equipment attached to the Ventilator; these are the Nitric Oxide Delivery Unit and the High Frequency Oscillator.

Nitric Oxide Delivery Unit
The Nitric Oxide Delivery Unit delivers nitric oxide to the blood vessels around the lungs. This relaxes them and stops them from being damaged.

High-Frequency Oscillator
The High -Frequency Oscillator helps to keep your baby’s lungs open. It shakes the air into the lungs in measured amounts, which stops any damage to the lung tissue.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is used when a premature baby needs some help breathing. This is often used after a baby has come off the Ventilator but will also be used if the baby needs extra help with their breathing. The CPAP provides a pressurized flow of oxygen rich air to the baby’s lungs; it helps keeps their lungs open and keeps their oxygen level stable. Two small tubes are placed into or just under the baby’s nostrils. The pressure can come from either a bubble CPAP that is a device that uses a column of water or from a ventilator.  Suitable CPAP dummies are available from on line premature baby stores.

Oxyhood
An Oxyhood is a plastic hood that is placed over a premature babies head, oxygen rich air is released. This is used for babies who can breathe unaided but need extra oxygen.

Nasal Cannula
A Nasal Cannula is used to blow oxygen rich air into the baby’s lungs. Two small plastic tubes are placed into the baby’s nostrils. This is another method for babies who can breathe unaided but may need extra oxygen.

Intravenous Line (IV)
An Intravenous Line is a very fine line that is used to deliver medication and sometimes food to a premature baby. The line is entered in to vein this can be in the arm, leg, scalp or umbilical cord. The line is attached to a monitor that ensures the right amount of food or medication is being given to the baby.

Feeding Tube
A Feeding Tube is used when a premature baby cannot be fed by either breast or bottle-feeding yet, often because they have difficulty sucking or coordinating their sucking and breathing at the same time. A small tube is passed down the nose or mouth through to the stomach so the liquid can be feed directly into it.

Sue Edmondson runs Prem2Pram the online premature baby store http://www.prem2pram.co.uk as a mother herself of two premature babies she understands the difficulties parents face when their baby arrives early.
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Many concerns come to the mind of a newborns parent. One of the largest concerns on any new parents mind is the comfort of their child when they return home from the hospital. The most important time to make sure that your child is comfortable and warm is during the night hours when the parents are sleeping and therefore can’t keep a constant watch on the baby.

Normal bedding systems have proven to work OK but not exceptional which always leaves some worry in the back of a new parents mind. There exists a form of bedding which can relieve all worries about your child’s comfort during all hours of the day and night. Merino baby sleep bags are the best bet for a number of reasons.

It can take a newborn up to a year to develop the ability to regulate their body temperature. This means that with just a small change in temperature your child can be left cold or even worse over heating. Over heating is one of the known culprits of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Merino is a natural insulator, it will hold heat and circulate it keeping the babies body warm and it also has the ability to release excess heat and wick moisture away from the body. So in any situation you newborn will be comfortable, dry and safe.

Many cases still remain where there is no explanation for SIDS related deaths but there are studies showing that 25% of babies who suffer from SIDS are found with a blanket covering their face. The baby sleep sack design allows your child to be comfortably covered with out the risk of getting tangled in a blanket when moving around during sleep.

Ultimately the best sleep garment for any newborn is a combination of both merino and the baby sleep sack. This combination will reduce the risks involved with SIDS and this will give new parents the confidence they need that there child will be safe through the night.

Merino Kids has designed the perfect product with comfort being the forefront of there design. The inside of the Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag is made from the softest merino wool and the outside is constructed of soft and durable cotton. You can find these products on the web at babysleepbags.com for the USA and babysleepbags.co.uk for the rest of the northern hemisphere and Europe.

Francis Frost is the owner of Module Marketing in Auckland New Zealand. He is the new father of a 21 week old boy and an advocate of using merino and baby sleep sacks, especially the Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag.
With its award winning design, merino fabric and outstanding function the Merino Kids baby sleep sack is second to none.

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The first thing on any parents mind with the birth of there new child is always safety. Whether it be during normal day-to-day happenings or most importantly the night hours when the child is left unattended, it is up to the parents to make sure that during the night hours there child is comfortable and safe in their “nest”.

There is a fabric and bedding method that can eliminate some of the concerns about your child’s safety. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is something on the minds of most new parents and cases still exist where there is no explanation for the death, but some causes are known. There are now studies revealing that 25% of babies are found with blankets over there faces. The baby sleep sack is a solution to this problem and almost completely eliminates the chance of the baby’s face getting covered when it moves around during sleep. A blanket covering a baby’s face not only contributes to suffocation but also overheating.

It can take a newborn child up to a year to develop the ability regulate their own body temperature. This being the case over heating is one of the suspected culprits in causing SIDS. Small fluctuations in heat can have a drastic effect on the body temperature of a newborn. The best way to help control the temperature of your child at night is using merino wool products. Merino  has a natural ability to regulate body temperature by capturing and circulating air to insulate you child when the room temperature drops, and most importantly in relation to SIDS, merino wool releases excess heat and wicks away body moisture when the room temperature rises.

The best bet for sleep attire for you child is the combination of both the baby sleep bag and merino wool fabric. The combination of the merino wool and the sleep bag will eliminate some of the risks associated with SIDS. Knowing your child is comfortable is the piece of mind parents need to sleep well through the night.

The Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag will insure confidence in parents minds that there child is safe. Merino Kids have designed their baby sleep bags with comfort in mind. Using the finest and softest merino wool interior and soft durable cotton exterior it can guarantee your baby a good night sleep and with its benefits in relation to the prevention of SIDS can also provide parents with much needed sleep during the night. Available through: babysleepbags.com for the USA and babysleepbags.co.uk.

Francis Frost is the owner of Module Marketing in Auckland New Zealand. He is the new father of a 21 week old boy and an advocate of using merino and baby sleep sacks, especially the Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/merino-is-natures-miracle-fabric-for-babies-1739892.html

Before being discharged from the hospital, Your premature baby must meet several basic requirements to ensure good health and fewer medical problems. Some Nicu wards require a minimum weight for discharge, but more often the NICU staff will evaluate the baby on these three most important criteria:
1. Can the baby maintain body temperature in an open crib for at least 24-48 hours, depending on how premature the baby was at birth?
2. Can the baby take all feedings by bottle or breast without supplemental tube feedings?
3. Can the baby gain weight steadily?
Going Home and preparation for the homecoming.

Well you have baby clothes for the hospital which you have been using so what about specialist equipment. Here are just a few add ons to give your preemie baby a good head start you can use. A Tiny traveller you put it in car seat remember car seats are not made for premature babies so a tiny traveller fits snug inside allowing straps to be altered and baby is fully supported without unnecessary bangs and jolts to the head when traveling in the car.
If you are not breast feeding then buy smaller sized preemie teats you can get these with bottles such as Dr brown.A preemie sized dummy/ pacifier if you are going to allow your baby to have one.It will help your baby settle, a newborn sized dummy can make your baby gag. A warm coat and hat.

 Long term problems at home for premature babies.

Each baby is different and has different care needs.  Not all preemie babies will have problems here are just a few to give you a better understanding of what does effect preemie babies.

Apnea. Premature infants commonly have episodes of apnea, or pauses in breathing, that improve as they mature. Babies will not be discharged if the apnea causes a slow heart rate or a change in color. However, some nurseries send infants home on apnea monitors if the infants have mild apnea that does not cause a change in color or heart rate or require stimulation to make the baby breathe again. Other nurseries may monitor preemies until the breathing pattern reaches maturity
Other breathing problems. Preemies commonly have respiratory difficulties and need supplemental oxygen or a mechanical ventilator. Most recover and do not require supplemental oxygen by the time they graduate from the NICU. However, some develop a more chronic lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which involves scarring and inflammation in the lungs. Infants with BPD may need supplemental oxygen and medications for prolonged periods even after discharge. They can be sent home on oxygen or medications to help their lungs function better.

If your baby will need oxygen after leaving the hospital, equipment for administering it at home and in transit will be coordinated before discharge. Infections. Like other organ systems, the immune system of a premature infant does not function as well as that of older kids or adults. This places premature babies at risk for contracting infections (especially viral ones) after discharge.

Although preemies can become infected with many different viruses, they’re particularly vulnerable to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common viral infection in young kids that’s often mistaken for a cold or the flu. Although RSV causes few problems in adults and older kids, in preemies it can lead to severe illness, breathing problems, or even death, and is a common cause for rehospitalization of preemies.

Friends and family visits. Everyone will want to share in the good news that baby is finally at home but…

1. Never let anyone visit if they have an infection or virus. you are going to have to watch out now the last thing you need is for baby to be whisked back in hospital isn’t it.

2. No smoking around baby at all.

3.If any one smokes outside get them to wash their hands before being allowed to hold your tiny baby.

4. Don’t feel bad when parents with other preemies stop you in the street and start to say oh my baby sitting up now,  is walking now, is talking now.Your baby is an individual and has come though many hurdles to get this far he or she will catch up eventually .

For premature baby products with choices galore visit the Cheeky Chums store at http://cheekychumsonline.co.uk

Qualified Baby and Early Years specialist.T.D.L.B D32+D33 Assessor.Owner of Cheeky Chums
Cheeky Chums the Premature Baby Store, plus more
For choices galore visit the cheeky chums store at http://cheekychumsonline.co.uk

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Winter conditions such as dry winds, cold temperatures, snow, and rain can be harmful for your baby. It is common for babies and young children to get sick in the winter because of decreasing temperatures and the flu season. The harsh winter weather alone can cause damage to your baby’s skin. Their skin is so sensitive and can become irritated more so than adults’ skin. Cold winter air and dry, heated indoor air can cause irritation and dryness of the skin making eczema flare ups more frequent. Here are some ways to protect your baby’s skin during the winter.

When bathing your baby, be extra cautious of the water temperature. You should always practice safe bathing techniques, not just in the winter. The temperature should be lukewarm, a mixture of hot and cold water. Cold water will making your baby uncomfortable and water that is too hot can dry the skin out more or burn their sensitive skin. Also, use soap made from natural products that aren’t too heavily scented. Unnatural products can contain harsh chemicals that could make a winter rash worse. Moisturizing after bathing is smart because the skin is clean. It is common for babies to suffer from eczema, so using <a title=”eczema oil” target=”_blank” href=”http://www.homesteadcompany.com/”>eczema oil</a> will help to prevent that.

You may be surprised to know that babies can regulate their body temperature just as well as adults can. Don’t dress your baby in too many layers trying to keep them warm. If your baby becomes overheated they may develop an irritating heat rash. Keep your baby warm with jackets and blankets. Dress your baby in material that can breathe a little such as cotton. Dress your baby as you would dress yourself. It is common to add an extra layer of clothing to your outfit to stay warm, but only layer up once.

Adults and babies are often irritated by chapped lips during the winter. It may not seem like your baby’s lips could get chapped because they appear moist from drooling, teething, or having a pacifier. You can use a lip balm on your baby but make sure it isn’t the kind that has a tint of color. Find an organic brand that won’t cause irritation. Using lip balm will add a protective layer that will heal or prevent chapped lips.

To protect your baby’s hands and feet, which are often exposed to the outside elements, you can use gloves and socks. Wearing gloves will protect your baby’s hands from cold winter winds. When skin is exposed to wind, cold air, and other elements, the skin can become very dry. A lot of heat is also lost through the tops of our heads. Find a cute, little beanie or hat for your baby to wear. Unlike adults, some babies don’t have a lot of hair to keep the tops of their heads warm.

Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com.

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