About
the Book:
This is a practical workbook
It has been written to help Mums and Dads in the scary situation of expecting or having a premature baby (or just “prem”).
It gives key information needed to understand the prem and the NICU (the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).
It describes practical steps and tasks that help parents be central in the team that is helping their prem.
This book is a tool to encourage and empower parents.
This book is organised into chapters for you to look up easily. Though they have an order, you can read them in any order you like.
If your prem is already born, then the most important information you will find quickly and easily on BLUE PAGES. These are “front page summaries” of what you want to know, and you can start by reading only these.
You will then know where to look for more details, in the pages that follow.
Read the other sections as you need them.
If you are likely to have a premature baby, try to read this book before your baby is born. Getting the first hours of life right will help you and your prem.
This is a workbook, so you will see spaces where you can write things down. For example, your own prem’s details, treatment, and some of your own reactions. There are suggestions of things to do or observe. You will find this helpful in this difficult time. I encourage you specially to work through the chapter on “Emotions”. Seeing these things written down will help you face them. This is important for you to be able to better help your prem, and cope better for yourself!
Some information may seem new or surprising to you. Your NICU staff might also be surprised by what is here! However, every statement has firm scientific evidence behind it. A number inside brackets in the text, e.g. (2), refers to the “Fine Print Page” at the end of each chapter. This has comments by Dr Nils Bergman, and the scientific references. The fine print page is for you if you want more detail, but it is also addressed to your doctor or nurse who can look up the evidence for what is being said.
I welcome your feedback and suggestions to make this book more helpful.
Jill Bergman
jill@kangaroomothercare.com
- Contents:
How To Use This Book
Introduction
The First Few Hours
How Prems Are Different From Full-Term Newborns
What Parents Can Do To Help Their Baby
Emotions And Coping
Skin-To-Skin Contact
Breast Milk And Breastfeeding
Ways Of Feeding Prem Babies
Breastfeeding Your Prem
How The Brain Develops And Works: Neuroscience
Protect Sleep
Separation And Stress
Developmental Care
Technology
Problems Prems May Face In The Nicu
Long Term Problems Prems May Face & How Skin-To-Skin Contact Can Help
How Friends And Family Can Help
Going Home
Parenting
Compassionate Care For A Dying Baby
Resources
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