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Can A Pre-term Baby Be Taken Care Of At Home With Exclusive Breast Feed Alone?
Question: Dear Doctor. I have a pre-term baby girl of 17 days. she was born by c-section delivery. Her weight was 2.1kg at the time of birth which is now 1.8kg today. we have become very tensed so consulted with one pediatrician who suggested for NICU care. we have admitted her for one day. All her reports were normal. They have kept her in NICU for feeding only. They have told to provide mother milk and Nestle Nan. so we have taken out her from NICU, as we can also feed her on the same way at home.They have also suggested to give 3 types of drops -Vi-syneral-zinc, Tonoferon drops and ostocalcium.All reports and prescription is attached herewith. Just for a second opinion, kindly provide your valuable suggestions and also inform how we can increase her weight.
Brief Answer:
Follow as already advised...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I've reviewed all the attached reports.
First and foremost, it seems that you've taken 'Leave Against Medical Advice' during that phase on the 26th of July'18 while the baby was still in NICU. I believe this recently done (August 7th'18) reports of CBC and CRP (not significant level) must have been informed to the Pediatrician already. If not done already, then kindly inform to keep the treating doctor in the loop.
As it comes to feeding, the baby must be exclusively breastfed (preferably by direct or expressed breast milk) until the first 6months of life (be it pre-term or term, there's no alternative to that)...
If the Pediatrician's suggested that Neste Nan, then you may continue it, but again, there's no alternative to breastfeeding at this age.
Another, important thing to keep in mind is maintaining a timetable of feeding in case of pre-term babies. While normal term babies can be fed depending on demand, pre-term babies must be fed as per time-table (the time-gap is different in each baby, so check with the mother and discuss with the pediatrician to set-up a tentative time-table through-out the day)...
Always ensure to feed in an upright position, do tap on the shoulders and feet before and after feeding to help in proper burping.
Along with this, some gentle body massages with standard baby-oil can also be done at home (if it's permissible by the pediatrician).
Strictly follow her treating Pediatrician's advice and continue the drops and other medications whichever is already advised.
Additionally, continue strict periodic weight, body girth measurements under the supervision of the Neonatologist/Pediatrician from time to time to keep an eye on her progress thereafter.
This is a delicate phase, so despite following all these, if there's no marked improvement in feeding, any noticeable lethargy/irritability, further decrease of body-weight, you must not delay any further and consider re-admission in the children's hospital for further investigation as well as management accordingly.
Take Care.
Regards
Follow as already advised...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I've reviewed all the attached reports.
First and foremost, it seems that you've taken 'Leave Against Medical Advice' during that phase on the 26th of July'18 while the baby was still in NICU. I believe this recently done (August 7th'18) reports of CBC and CRP (not significant level) must have been informed to the Pediatrician already. If not done already, then kindly inform to keep the treating doctor in the loop.
As it comes to feeding, the baby must be exclusively breastfed (preferably by direct or expressed breast milk) until the first 6months of life (be it pre-term or term, there's no alternative to that)...
If the Pediatrician's suggested that Neste Nan, then you may continue it, but again, there's no alternative to breastfeeding at this age.
Another, important thing to keep in mind is maintaining a timetable of feeding in case of pre-term babies. While normal term babies can be fed depending on demand, pre-term babies must be fed as per time-table (the time-gap is different in each baby, so check with the mother and discuss with the pediatrician to set-up a tentative time-table through-out the day)...
Always ensure to feed in an upright position, do tap on the shoulders and feet before and after feeding to help in proper burping.
Along with this, some gentle body massages with standard baby-oil can also be done at home (if it's permissible by the pediatrician).
Strictly follow her treating Pediatrician's advice and continue the drops and other medications whichever is already advised.
Additionally, continue strict periodic weight, body girth measurements under the supervision of the Neonatologist/Pediatrician from time to time to keep an eye on her progress thereafter.
This is a delicate phase, so despite following all these, if there's no marked improvement in feeding, any noticeable lethargy/irritability, further decrease of body-weight, you must not delay any further and consider re-admission in the children's hospital for further investigation as well as management accordingly.
Take Care.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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