When Your Baby Needs Special Care

If your baby or babies are born prematurely, or if they have special needs of some kind, they may spend some time in a neonatal intensive care unit. The staff caring for your baby will make every attempt to allow you and your partner to spend time with the baby. Neonatal intensive care units are busy places, full of unfamiliar technology. It may feel overwhelming to visit your baby there, and your child may seem even more vulnerable. Talk to the staff about your feelings and about your concerns for your baby. Don't be afraid to ask them questions. It is part of their job to explain to you what is happening. The staff may also be able to direct you to counselling and support services that can help you cope with this experience.

Most mothers of premature infants can provide breast milk for their children. Although your baby may not be able to take the milk from your breast right away, you can pump your breast milk so the baby can still get all the benefits of this ideal food. Studies have shown that the breast milk of mothers who have their infants prematurely is 30 percent higher in fat than the milk of women who give birth at 40 weeks. This means that breast milk will help your baby put on weight and will protect your baby from gastrointestinal infections and other complications.

You can rent a good hospital-type electrical pump to use at home, if you leave the hospital before your baby. The nurses at your hospital or birthing centre can show you how to use the pump. It will help keep your supply of breast milk flowing. Pump eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period if you are not breastfeeding regularly. You can take this milk to the hospital. Even if the baby cannot yet take milk from your breast, you will often be able to help with the baby's feeding. If your baby can't take breast milk yet, save all of the milk you pump, including the colostrum, frozen, in individual portions, for when your baby is home.

If you are breastfeeding, you will need to visit your baby at least every three hours, including during the night. As your baby gets stronger, he or she may be able to come to you. If you are pumping your milk to give to your baby, you can begin as soon as six to 12 hours after the birth. The nurses can show you how to use the breast pump.

If the baby needs to stay in the hospital after you go home, it can be very difficult. Although you have likely been aware of this possibility for a while, like many parents, you may have hoped that you could beat the odds and take your baby home with you when first leaving the hospital. It is normal to feel teary and a little lost if you have to leave the hospital without your baby.

Back to index