Preterm infants can thrive and fulfil their potential just like their full-term classmates with the help of these measures.
Compared to their full-term counterparts, preterm newborns, or those born before 37 weeks of gestation, experience particular health concerns. However, it has been demonstrated that a number of techniques dramatically improve their long-term health results. Giving preterm children an exclusively human milk diet is one strategy whose important function is coming to light more and more. This strategy, when combined with other care methods, can put preterm infants on a healthier path that lasts into adulthood.
Dr. Shruti Jain (PT), a Certified Lactation Consultant, Childbirth Educator, and Programme Manager for NeoLacta Lifesciences’ Save Babies initiative, has outlined the top six strategies for enhancing preterm infants’ long-term health outcomes. As follows:
Only Consume Human Milk
The most important method for enhancing preterm newborns’ health outcomes may be an exclusively human milk diet. Breast milk is a plentiful supply of vital nutrients and immunological elements required for the growth of the newborn. To maintain a diet free of products based on bovine milk, such as baby formulae, in the absence of the mother’s milk, pasteurised donor human milk should be utilised.
Kangaroo Mother Care
KMC includes parent and preterm baby having skin-to-skin contact. The baby’s heart rate is stabilised, oxygen saturation levels are increased, longer stretches of sleep are encouraged, and exclusive breastfeeding is supported by this technique.
Care For Development
Developmental difficulties are frequent in premature newborns. Their neurodevelopment can be supported by implementing developmental care techniques in the NICU, such as limiting exposure to excessive noise and light, encouraging a secure and supportive environment, and supporting age-appropriate sensory experiences. In order to track the baby’s growth and development and to identify any possible health concerns early, regular paediatric checkups are also necessary. Early treatments can address developmental delays or impairments, such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
The Proper Diet At The Appropriate Time
Preterm babies miss out on the third trimester of pregnancy, which is a crucial time for nutritional buildup, particularly in terms of protein and energy reserves. Preterm newborns should follow a high-protein, high-energy diet in the first few weeks of life to match foetal development rates and make up for the nutritional deficiency after delivery. Fortifiers are given to breast milk to increase the total nutritional value of the meals in order to accomplish this. Recent developments have made it feasible to have fortifiers that are based on human milk that guarantee an exclusive diet of human milk even while fortifying meals.
Vaccinations
Vaccination upkeep is essential for avoiding infections, especially in premature infants who may have immature immune systems. Their young immune systems increase the danger of problems, thus timely immunisations can protect kids from infections that can be prevented by vaccination and lower that risk.
Family Encouragement And Support
Enhancing results and fostering a caring atmosphere may both be achieved by including families as active partners in their child’s care. Infants’ cognitive and emotional development is aided by early, regular emotional stimulation and support. Your preterm baby’s long-term cognitive results can be considerably improved by reading, singing, and chatting to them.
While travelling with a preterm newborn may be difficult and unknown, these techniques provide practical ways to improve their long-term health. The core of this diet is only comprised of human milk, which offers unrivalled nutritional and immunological advantages that no other food source can match. In addition to this, kangaroo mother care, frequent observation, suitable diet, immunisations, and family support may all work together to produce an environment that is favourable for the healthy growth and development of premature newborns. Preterm infants can thrive and fulfil their potential just like their full-term classmates with the help of these measures.
Disclaimer: The medical data is provided solely for general educational reasons. Although every effort has been taken to assure the accuracy and dependability of the information presented in this material, it should not be used as a substitute for advice from a qualified medical expert. Always seek the advice of a licenced healthcare professional for a diagnosis, a course of treatment, and any potential medical issues.
