Top 12 Associated Content Articles About Premature Babies

Premature babies are a joyous surprise that can involve added stress and complications to a parent's life.

Parents may not be ready for baby yet, and certainly not a premature baby. But there are ways to cope with the surprise of a premature birth, and with the increased health risks and complications.

Parenting a premature baby be challenging in the first hours and days, when it is difficult not to be anxious about baby's health and prospects.

Here are 12 articles published on Associated Content which were written with first-hand knowledge of parenting a premature baby.

Top 12 Associated Content Articles about Premature Babies

1. Parents of premature babies need some gentle
advice from someone who knows what it's like.

2. Parents, especially moms need to take the prodding questions of the doctors and nurses, especially in a teaching hospital, with a one big grain of salt. Prematurity is not explainable half the time, so moms need to first know not to blame themselves.

3. Moms and dads alike, coping with the early birth of a child, need to remember to take care of themselves and each other while their baby works on growing in the NICU.

4. Parents of premature babies need to stay strong and take an active role in caring for their NICU baby, and of working with the doctors in the NICU. The doctors may have medical degrees, but this is your child, and you are his or her best advocate. Don't be shy to state your opinion and ask questions, when baby's health is your top priority during his or her NICU stay.

5. Moms who planned on breast feeding their babies, can still breast feed a premature baby. The doctor will okay the time, but that should not stop the mom from pushing the issue with hospital staff. My son was stuffing his fist in his mouth, and I had to keepencouraging the doctor that it was time, and that we should try to feed him by mouth and start breast feeding.

6. Post-partum moms who do intend on breastfeeding the premature baby will need to invest in some breast pumping supplies. Chances are moms will be home before baby, and moms will need to pump breast milk to feed to baby.