Yes, you can absolutely care for your premature baby (preemie) at home - and your love and care are the best medicine! Premature babies need extra attention, but most thrive beautifully with proper feeding, warmth, hygiene, and lots of skin-to-skin contact. It's natural to feel anxious bringing your small baby home, but with the right guidance, you'll become confident quickly.
Watch: How to Know When Your Baby Is Sleepy 😴 | Baby Sleep Cues Every Parent Should Know
A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are considered premature. The earlier they're born, the more support they need.
What premature babies may have:
The good news: Your baby's brain is growing rapidly, and most premature babies "catch up" by age 2-3 years!
This is very important to understand!
Corrected age = Baby's actual age minus weeks of prematurity
Example: Your baby is now 4 months old but was born 8 weeks early.
Corrected age = 4 months - 2 months = 2 months
Use corrected age for:
Use actual age for:
Don't compare your preemie's milestones with full-term babies of the same actual age - use corrected age!
Call doctor or go to hospital IMMEDIATELY if:
Preemies are vulnerable - don't wait to see if symptoms improve. Jaldi doctor ko dikhayein.
Breast milk is BEST for preemies:
Feeding tips:
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Baby can't latch | Express breast milk and use katori-spoon or syringe (no bottle initially) |
| Weak sucking | Feed small amounts frequently (every 2-3 hours) |
| Falls asleep while feeding | Gently stimulate by rubbing feet, changing position |
| Reflux/spitting up | Keep upright for 15-20 mins after feeding, burp well |
| Weight not increasing | May need fortified breast milk - discuss with doctor |
How to know baby is getting enough:
Important: Burp after every feed! Preemies swallow more air.
This is magical for preemies!
How to do KMC:
Benefits of KMC:
Both parents can do KMC. Fathers doing KMC is equally beneficial!
Preemies lose heat very easily. Target temperature: 36.5-37.5°C
Room temperature: 25-28°C is ideal
How to keep warm:
Check temperature:
Preemies have weak immunity - infection can be very dangerous!
Rules for everyone:
For baby:
When to start proper bath: Usually after umbilical cord falls off and baby is gaining weight well (discuss with doctor)
Until then - Sponge bath:
After bath: KMC or oil massage with warm coconut/olive oil helps warm up baby
Benefits for preemies:
How to massage:
Preemies sleep a LOT - 18-22 hours a day initially!
This is normal - they need sleep to grow.
Safe sleep for preemies:
Feeding and sleep:
Regular check-ups are crucial:
Track milestones using corrected age:
| Corrected Age | Expected Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2 months | Social smile, tracks face |
| 4 months | Holds head steady, laughs |
| 6 months | Rolls over, sits with support |
| 9 months | Sits without support, babbles |
| 12 months | Stands with support, says "mama/dada" |
Most preemies catch up by 2-3 years. Don't compare with other babies - your baby is doing great!
A: Most preemies catch up in weight by 2-3 years of age. Focus on steady weight gain rather than absolute numbers. Your doctor will plot baby's growth on special preemie growth charts. If weight gain is consistent, don't worry about being "smaller" than other babies.
A: For preemies, waking every 2-3 hours is GOOD - they need frequent feeds for growth. This is not a sleep problem, it's necessary! As baby grows and gains weight (usually around 2.5-3 kg), they'll start sleeping longer stretches. Usually by corrected age of 3-4 months, you'll see improvement.
A: Absolutely YES! Father's KMC is equally beneficial. It helps the baby, improves bonding, and gives mother rest. Any family member with clean skin can do KMC - grandparents too! Aim for baby to have KMC for maximum hours daily.
A: Breast milk is best for preemies. If breast milk is insufficient, doctor may prescribe special preemie formula (not regular formula). Never give regular formula without doctor's advice. Even a small amount of breast milk daily is very beneficial - keep trying to express.
A: Vaccinations follow the ACTUAL age (birth date), not corrected age. So your preemie gets vaccines at the same actual age as full-term babies. All regular vaccinations are important - preemies are more vulnerable to infections. Don't delay vaccines.
A: Avoid crowded places and outside exposure for at least 2-3 months after discharge (or until baby is about 2.5 kg and stable). Avoid malls, markets, functions. When you do go out, avoid peak traffic times, keep visits short, and don't let strangers touch the baby.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
Caring for a preemie can feel overwhelming, but you're doing amazing! Babynama's pediatricians are available 24/7 on WhatsApp to answer your questions, track your baby's progress, and support you through this journey.
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