Читать книгу Sister Lilian’s Babycare Companion: Complimentary and traditional care - Lilian Paramor - Страница 85

•You can ensure that the environment seems less cold and clinical by placing a few cuddly toys, cards and so on in the room, as well as a soft, cuddly toy close to your baby. Talk to staff about what you may bring to ensure the smallest risk of infection and hindrance to their task, while creating a more comforting environment. You will usually find them most amenable to this idea.

•Touch is of vital importance and even if there seems to be very little body surface uncluttered by tubes or plasters, you should stroke your baby as much as possible. In my opinion this can be as important for the survival and thriving of your baby as the ‘pipes’. If your baby is in a closed incubator, put your hands through the working apertures. As his condition improves, ask the staff if you can cradle him, even if only for a few moments at a time. This will mean a great deal to both you and your child.

•Music can be of as much stimulatory benefit to your pre-term baby as any other. Play soothing recorded music and sing or hum to her as well. This is obviously more difficult to implement if she is in a closed incubator, but with the aid of modern technology you should be able to rig up something.

•Talk to your baby frequently too. Remember, he recognises your voice as well as his dad’s! Knowing that you are in close proximity and rooting for him will be important stimulation for your child.

•Breastfeeding is one of the most important gifts you can offer your premature baby. Express milk from the earliest possible time and try especially to give your colostrum, by syringe or tube, to your baby. This is not such usual practice, as the quantity is fairly small and in those first few days she might not be taking sustenance other than through the infusion. Nevertheless, talk to your paediatrician about this, as colostrum is liquid gold, packed with all good things that will help your baby off to a better start.

•It is important that you keep expressing your milk to ensure continued production, even if she does not need it immediately. You can store your milk in sterilised bottles in a freezer or up to 24 hours in the fridge. You will probably find a breast pump more practicable than expressing by hand if the situation continues for an extended period. You can choose between a manual, battery or electrical pump. Different women find different types more suitable and so there is no absolute guideline on which will be the easiest for you. Be careful, though, not to hurt your nipples by applying too strong a vacuum too soon.