premature baby in nicu going home, yippee preemie baby going home

Before being discharged from the hospital, Your premature baby must meet several basic requirements to ensure good health and fewer medical problems. Some Nicu wards require a minimum weight for discharge, but more often the NICU staff will evaluate the baby on these three most important criteria:
1. Can the baby maintain body temperature in an open crib for at least 24-48 hours, depending on how premature the baby was at birth?
2. Can the baby take all feedings by bottle or breast without supplemental tube feedings?
3. Can the baby gain weight steadily?
Going Home and preparation for the homecoming.

Well you have baby clothes for the hospital which you have been using so what about specialist equipment. Here are just a few add ons to give your preemie baby a good head start you can use. A Tiny traveller you put it in car seat remember car seats are not made for premature babies so a tiny traveller fits snug inside allowing straps to be altered and baby is fully supported without unnecessary bangs and jolts to the head when traveling in the car.
If you are not breast feeding then buy smaller sized preemie teats you can get these with bottles such as Dr brown.A preemie sized dummy/ pacifier if you are going to allow your baby to have one.It will help your baby settle, a newborn sized dummy can make your baby gag. A warm coat and hat.

 Long term problems at home for premature babies.

Each baby is different and has different care needs.  Not all preemie babies will have problems here are just a few to give you a better understanding of what does effect preemie babies.

Apnea. Premature infants commonly have episodes of apnea, or pauses in breathing, that improve as they mature. Babies will not be discharged if the apnea causes a slow heart rate or a change in color. However, some nurseries send infants home on apnea monitors if the infants have mild apnea that does not cause a change in color or heart rate or require stimulation to make the baby breathe again. Other nurseries may monitor preemies until the breathing pattern reaches maturity
Other breathing problems. Preemies commonly have respiratory difficulties and need supplemental oxygen or a mechanical ventilator. Most recover and do not require supplemental oxygen by the time they graduate from the NICU. However, some develop a more chronic lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which involves scarring and inflammation in the lungs. Infants with BPD may need supplemental oxygen and medications for prolonged periods even after discharge. They can be sent home on oxygen or medications to help their lungs function better.

If your baby will need oxygen after leaving the hospital, equipment for administering it at home and in transit will be coordinated before discharge. Infections. Like other organ systems, the immune system of a premature infant does not function as well as that of older kids or adults. This places premature babies at risk for contracting infections (especially viral ones) after discharge.

Although preemies can become infected with many different viruses, they're particularly vulnerable to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common viral infection in young kids that's often mistaken for a cold or the flu. Although RSV causes few problems in adults and older kids, in preemies it can lead to severe illness, breathing problems, or even death, and is a common cause for rehospitalization of preemies.

Friends and family visits. Everyone will want to share in the good news that baby is finally at home but...

1. Never let anyone visit if they have an infection or virus. you are going to have to watch out now the last thing you need is for baby to be whisked back in hospital isn't it.

2. No smoking around baby at all.

3.If any one smokes outside get them to wash their hands before being allowed to hold your tiny baby.

4. Don't feel bad when parents with other preemies stop you in the street and start to say oh my baby sitting up now,  is walking now, is talking now.Your baby is an individual and has come though many hurdles to get this far he or she will catch up eventually .

For premature baby products with choices galore visit the Cheeky Chums store at http://cheekychumsonline.co.uk