Newborn special care unit
In the special care unit your baby is cared for 24 hours a day by specially trained staff with a wide range of technology to help them. The main concerns for a special care baby are temperature control, breathing, brain and immune system, and feeding. There'll be a lot of tubes, electrodes, monitors, and drips, but they're there to help your baby so try not to be alarmed.
Why your newborn needs care?
© DK
Your baby needs special care to help him to grow and thrive once he's outside your womb. The following key areas are closely monitored.
Temperature control
All babies are at risk of getting cold - a premature or small-for-dates baby is even more at risk, because he has little or no body fat for insulation. A premature baby is usually placed in an incubator, in which he can be kept warm and supplied with warmed, humidified air (or oxygen, if he needs it).
Breathing
Under 30 weeks, and certainly before 27 weeks, a baby's lungs are not mature enough to allow the transfer of oxygen to the bloodstream. If you go into premature labour, you'll probably be given an injection of corticosteroids to help mature your baby's lungs. Because the nervous system is immature, this can affect a baby's breathing, and may cause pauses in breathing, known as apnoea, sometimes accompanied by a slowing of the heart rate, known as bradycardia.
Feeding
Initially, your baby will have small feeds once an hour, progressing to one every three hours. A very premature or sick baby may be unable to digest milk and will be given a solution of sugar, salts, and potassium. When he's able to take milk, he'll have a special formula or your own expressed milk. Breastmilk is the ideal food for a special care baby.
Experience with the special care unit
- You'll be encouraged to watch the nurses care for your baby and to help with the practical care and nursing.
- Don't be afraid to touch your baby as often as possible. As well as helping you to feel closer to him, this loving attention also has huge benefits for your baby, helping him to thrive and grow.
- Keep talking and singing to your baby. He'll get to know your voice and be soothed and comforted by the familiar sound.
Your baby's needs
A special care baby needs his mother and father as well as specialist medical care.
Although a special care baby receives 24-hour medical care, he also needs to feel his parents' love. Physical contact with you and your partner will reassure and comfort him, and help you to develop a warm, close, and loving relationship.
Hold him close whenever you can so that he gets to know your smells and can feel close to you. When your baby is stronger, you may be able to give him kangaroo care. This means holding him against your bare skin, which can help his development.
Posted 30.06.2010
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