Caring for babies with special needs
Today, a baby who's born preterm or small for dates, or with an illness or disability, has a far better chance than he would have had 20 or even ten years ago. This is because so much more is known about how to care for newborn babies and this knowledge is applied in special care baby units.
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If a baby is simply too weak or young to be able to suck, and needs tube feeding, or has jaundice and so needs phototherapy treatment, he'll probably be looked after in the special care baby unit (SCBU) attached to the local maternity unit. If he's very premature or ill, he'll need specialist, “high-tech” care in the neonatal intensive care part of the unit (NICU). An NICU is dedicated to looking after babies who need highly specialized nursing attention. In modern NICUs the tiniest premature babies - even ones born at only 24 or 25 weeks' gestation and weighing barely 450g (1lb) - can be helped to thrive. If you go into labour very prematurely you may be taken to a hospital with an NICU, even if it's not the hospital into which you were booked, or your baby may be taken there by ambulance in a special incubator immediately after the birth. If this should happen to you, ask the consultant paediatrician in charge to explain all about your baby's particular needs and how you can help. Most NICUs encourage parents to stay with their baby and play an active part in his everyday care by helping with tasks such as feeding, washing, and nappy changing. Parents are encouraged to cuddle their babies skin to skin, as this helps them develop more quickly. But with a very premature baby it may be some time before he's strong enough to be handled outside the incubator, and parents may have to wait until their baby's condition has improved.
How to help your baby with special needs?
- Spend as much time with him as you can; he needs the same love and attention as a full-term baby.
- Touch and fondle your baby, both in and out of the incubator, whenever and as soon as you can. Cuddling and stroking help him to grow and thrive.
- Express your breast milk at regular feeding times for your baby. You'll be giving him the best possible food and at the same time you'll build up your milk supply for when he's able to suck on his own.
- Research shows that the colostrum and milk of a mother whose child is preterm contain more of certain nutrients than those of mothers whose babies are born at term. This makes up for a preterm baby's missing out on nutrients he would have received in the uterus. A preterm baby fed on his mother's breast milk develops at almost exactly the same rate as he would if he were still in her uterus.
- Get involved with your baby's care. Ask the nurses to show you how to help with feeding, washing, and changing him. This will help you bond with your baby and give you confidence in caring for him.
- Don't struggle with feelings of anxiety, ignorance, or worry - ask the medical team for information.
Reasons for special care
- birthweight less than 1.5kg (3lb)
- less than 34 weeks in the womb
- severe respiratory problems, known as respiratory distress syndrome
- severe birth asphyxia (lack of oxygen or fetal distress)
- severe infection
- convulsions (seizures)
- jaundice that requires an exchange transfusion
- drug withdrawal, if the mother has been addicted to narcotics.
Posted 30.06.2010
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