Care

10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Preemie

The important things you should know before you bring your premature baby home

By Babytalk
 
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How, through breastfeeding, careful traveling, good preparation and more, you can bring your (very) little one home safe - Parenting.com
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1. How does caring for my preemie differ from caring for a full-term baby? Are there any special measures or precautions I should take?

2. What medicines does he need, and how do I give them?

3. What is her gestational age, and how do I use it to monitor developmental milestones?

4. Do preemies have special sleep issues? How much sleep does he need? Should I allow him to sleep as long as he wants to, or should I awaken him after a certain number of hours and try to offer him a feeding?

5. How much and how often does my preemie need to eat? Should I use a "human milk fortifier" or high-protein formula to give her extra protein? How can I tell if she's eating properly and gaining enough weight?

6. How long can a premature baby go between bowel movements and still be considered normal? Should I worry if he goes more than a whole day without having a bowel movement?

7. How do I protect my preemie from illness and infections? What are the signs that she may need to see the doctor because of possible illness?

8. How should I take the baby's temperature? What is the normal temperature range for a preemie?

9. When can I take my preemie out in public, or let him meet extended family and friends?

10. How often should I bring her in for check-ups, and what should I expect at these visits?




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