Special care: ill or premature babies
Neonatal care in hospital
Special care is sometimes provided on the ordinary postnatal ward and sometimes in a specialist newborn (neonatal) area. Having a baby in neonatal care is naturally worrying for parents and every effort should be made to ensure that you receive the information, communication and support that you need. Not all hospitals provide specialist neonatal services, so it may be necessary to transfer your baby to another hospital.
Why babies need special care
Babies can be admitted to neonatal services for a number of reasons:
- they are born early - one baby in 13 (8 out of 100) is born early, and babies born before 34 weeks may need extra help with breathing, feeding and keeping warm
- they are very small and have a low birthweight
- they have an infection
- their mother has diabetes
- the delivery was very difficult or they have jaundice
- they are waiting for, or recovering from, complex surgery
Contact with your baby
The environment of the unit may seem strange and confusing, especially if your baby is in an incubator or on a breathing machine. There may also be tubes and wires attached to their face and body. Ask the nurse to explain what everything is for and to show you how you can be involved in your baby's care. Once your baby is stable, you will be able to hold him or her. The nurses will show you how to do this and your baby will benefit greatly from physical contact with you.
Feeding
To begin with, your baby may be too small or too sick to feed themselves. You may be asked to express some of your breast milk, which can be given to your baby through a tube. A fine tube is passed through his or her nose or mouth into the stomach. This won't hurt them.
Breast milk has particular benefits, especially for sick or premature babies, as it is enriched with proteins (notably antibodies), fats and minerals. If your baby is unable to have your breast milk to begin with, it can be frozen and given to them when they are ready.
When you go home, you can express milk for the nurses to give while you are away. There is no need to worry about the quantity or quality of your milk. Some mothers find that providing breast milk makes them feel that they are doing something positive for their baby.
Find out about expressing your breast milk.
Incubators
Babies who are very small are nursed in incubators rather than cots, to keep them warm. You can still have a lot of contact with your baby. Some incubators have open tops, but if your baby's incubator doesn't you can put your hands through the holes in the side of the incubator to stroke and touch your baby.
When your baby is stable, the nurses will be able to help you take your baby out of the incubator and show you how to have skin-to-skin contact. You should carefully wash and thoroughly dry your hands before touching your baby. You can talk to your baby as well - this can help both of you.
The charity Bliss has information explaining the equipment on a neonatal unit.
Newborn babies with jaundice
Jaundice in newborn babies is common because their livers are immature. Severely jaundiced babies may be treated with phototherapy (light therapy). The baby is undressed and put under a very bright light, usually with a soft mask over their eyes. The special light helps to break down the chemical that causes jaundice. It may be possible for your baby to have phototherapy by your bed so that you don't have to be separated.
This treatment may continue for several days, with breaks for feeds, before the jaundice clears up. In some cases, if the jaundice gets worse, an exchange transfusion of blood may be needed (some of your baby's blood will be removed and replaced with blood from a donor). This is not common. Some babies have jaundice because of liver disease and need different treatment. A blood test that checks for liver disease is done before phototherapy is started.
Find out more about treatment for newborn jaundice.
Babies with jaundice after two weeks
Many babies are jaundiced for up to two weeks following birth. Jaundice can last up to three weeks in premature babies. It is more common in breastfed babies and does no harm. It is not a reason to stop breastfeeding.
It is important to see your doctor if your baby is still jaundiced after two weeks. You should see the doctor within a day or two. This is particularly important if your baby's poo is chalky white. A blood test will distinguish between "breast milk jaundice", which will go away by itself, or jaundice that may need urgent treatment.
Babies with disabilities
If your baby is disabled in some way, you will be coping with a lot of different feelings. You will also need to cope with the feelings of others, such as the baby's father, your relations and friends as they come to terms with the fact that your baby has a disability.
More than anything else at this time, you will need to talk to people about how you feel, as well as about your baby's health and future.
Your GP, a neonatologist (doctor for newborn babies), paediatrician (children's doctor) or your health visitor can all help you. You can also contact the hospital Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or your social services department for information about local organisations that may be able to help. You can contact your social services department through your local authority.
The organisations listed here can offer help and advice - many are self-help groups run by parents:
- Bliss, for babies born too soon, too small, too sick
- Contact a Family, for families with disabled children
- Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), for advice on all types of daily living equipment for disabled adults and children
- Genetic Alliance UK, supporting those affected by a genetic disorder
- Group B Strep Support, preventing group B strep infection in newborn babies
- Mind, for better mental health
Talking to other parents with similar experiences can often be the most effective help.
Worries and explanations
Hospital staff should explain what kind of treatment your baby is being given and why. If they don't, ask them. It's important that you understand what is happening so that you can work together to make sure that your baby gets the best possible care. Some treatments require your consent to go ahead and the doctors will discuss this with you.
It is natural to feel anxious if your baby needs special care. Talk over any fears or worries with the hospital staff. Hospitals often have their own counselling or support services, and a number of charities run support and advice services.
The consultant neonatologist or paediatrician should arrange to see you, but you can also ask for an appointment at any time if you wish. The hospital social worker may be able to help with practical issues such as travel costs or help with looking after children.
Read more information on serious conditions and special needs in children.
The charity Bliss has information and support for parents of babies being cared for in a neonatal unit. You can find out more at:
Bliss: what to expect in hospital
healthtalk.org has video interviews and articles on women talking about their experiences of having a baby in special care.
Article provided by NHS Choices
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