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

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/premature-baby-in-nicu-going-home-yippee-preemie-baby-going-home-1609012.html

1. very poorly newborns and extremely tiny babies are prone to infections as they are  vunerable if they have to be cared for in a neonatal unit or special care baby unit.Neonatal baby clothes can be found usually by online specialist shops as most of these type of clothing have been made with extensive research, coperation with neonatal specialists and take into concideration baby’s care needs before being manufactured.

2.These type of premature baby clothes are made from fabrics that cause the least irritation to delicate skin. High cotton content means washing at high temperatures can be tolerated to help combat harmful germs.When you buy Neonatal baby clothes it is far better to wash them prior to your baby wearing them.Only using non biological washing powder and fabric softeners.babies can become allergic and have skin reactions to other types of biological washing detergents.

3.Neonatal baby clothes offer easier,quick fastenings and allow access for tubes, monitors and any wires the nursing staff have to attach a baby’s body to,and it helps to keep a constant check on vital organs.Its good as you can often find buttons buttons every where every direction yet still providing the cute clothes you want for your baby to wear too.

4.In the neonatal care unit mums tend to be a arms length whist a baby is in a critical care unit. The nurses rush around checking this monitor and the blood gases etc  and all a mum can do is worry. At least by taking part of the simple care needs such as dressing,changing a nappy cleaning your baby’s face and tubes etc a mum can feel like she is doing something imortant until able to take baby home.Thats why choosing stylish neonatal baby clothes in wonderful colourways, that make mum smile makes all the difference when gazing lovingly at a newborn in the nicu.

5. neonatal baby clothes also offer the very smallest sizes availabale to premature babies and tiny babys born of a low birth weight. Most often supermarkets cater for tiny and early babies 7lb where neonatal baby clothing offer a much varied sizing such as 1.5lb,0-2,1-3lb,0-2lb,2-3lb,3-5lb+

5. Where to look for such clothes Nanny Nicu offer neonatal baby clothes with choices galore in the most vibrant and varied sizings for tiny babies you can watch a short video clip here 

You can also shop online for Handmade Neonatal baby clothes offering a touch of class, style and in delicious colours of the softest fabrics worldwide see them at http://cheekychumsonline.co.uk its choices galore at the cheekychums premature baby clothes superstore.

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

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/neonatal-baby-clothes-why-your-premature-baby-should-wear-these-instead-1566004.html

Infants have irregular sleep patterns because of their need to frequently eat. There are some sleep disorders that are learned behavior instead of a legitimate disease. These types of sleep disorders can be overcome without medication by changing the child’s environment and gently teaching them to improve their sleep habits.

As a child gets older, they go through a period of having nightmares. Sleep terrors or night terrors are other forms of sleep disorders. The child usually outgrows these forms of sleep disorders.

Infant sleep apnea is defined as an infant who stops breathing for short periods of time in their sleep. This type of sleep disorder is diagnosed most in premature babies. In fact, it is a proven fact that a premature baby is more likely to have sleep apnea than a baby that is born at full term.

Usually, all that is needed is to rub the baby’s back or nudge them and they will start breathing on their own again. In rare cases, infant CPR is needed to revive the baby.

Bringing home an infant who suffers from sleep apnea is a very scary time in any parent’s life. The fear of their child stopping breathing in the middle of the night can cause any parent to sit up all night beside the crib.

Before any hospital releases a baby who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the parent or parents are required to go through an infant CPR course.

When the baby is released, it is usually with a piece of machinery called an apnea monitor. This type of monitor is attached to the baby’s chest with electrodes that monitor the baby’s breathing. The monitor is adjusted to each baby and will only sound if it detects abnormal breathing patterns.

If the baby’s breathing is too shallow or stops altogether, the monitor will sound a loud high-pitched alarm to alert you of the danger.

For anyone who has experienced this sound, especially in the middle of the night, it can be a heart stopping experience.

The baby needs to be attached to the monitor all of the time he or she is sleeping. During waking hours, it is not necessary to use the monitor.

Medical personnel will go to your home and take readings from the monitor to make sure that it is working properly and also that it is being used properly. They will then forward a report to your baby’s pediatrician for him or her to monitor.

Only your baby’s pediatrician can determine when the monitor is no longer necessary. He or she will discuss with you the progress of your baby before any decisions are finalized.

Chris Towland

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JanuszJanulis
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JanuszJanulis
© 2003-2009 World Marketing Media, Inc.
http://scrnch.me/m2q6d

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/babies-articles/coping-with-infant-sleep-disorders-1492901.html