Due to all the problems eveyone had with the old gallery we have started a new website where you can create your own gallery easily. It was a big deal to find an appropriate package that was free. But we wanted to make it as easy as possible. The only hitch is that you will need to register again but it takes a few moments. Read the FAQ and you should be just fine.
All old albums are still fine to access and even put pictures in. It is just closed to new albums. - Terry
Here is some news that I thought you might be interested in.
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For immediate release
INCREASED INFANT DEATH RATE DUE TO RISE IN PREMATURE BIRTHS
March of Dimes Calls for Surgeon General's Conference and Report on Prematurity
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., JANUARY 24, 2005 -- Commenting on today's new government report explaining the 2001-02 increase in infant mortality, Nancy S. Green, medical director of the March of Dimes, called for a Surgeon General's Conference and a Surgeon General's Report on Prematurity, and issued the following statement:
"The infant mortality rate is an extremely important figure, as it is one of the most accurate measures of the health of society. This was the first rise in the infant mortality rate since 1958, and it may be a harbinger of worsening health conditions for America's babies. The infant mortality rate in the United States is worse than that of most other affluent nations.
"Given the persistent increases in low birthweight and preterm births, the 2001-2002 increase in the infant mortality rate dismayed us, but it didn't surprise us. Specifically, the new report indicates that 61 percent of the increase in the infant morality rate can be attributed to increases in births of the smallest and earliest infants.
"Prematurity (birth before 37 completed weeks gestation) has become a common, serious, and growing problem in the U.S. Premature births increased 29 percent from 1981 to 2002 and prematurity now affects about 12 percent of all live births. In 2002, more than 480,000 babies were born prematurely.
"Premature birth is now the number one health risk for America's newborns. It is the leading cause of death in the first month of life. Babies who survive often suffer lifelong consequences, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, blindness and hearing loss.
"A Surgeon General's Conference and a Surgeon General's Report would focus much needed attention on the growing problem of prematurity and low birthweight and further explore the needs of women, babies, and their health care providers in the prevention of prematurity."
"Explaining the 2001-02 Infant Mortality Increase: Data From the Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set," National Vital Statistics Reports, Volume 53, Number 12, from the National Center for Health Statistics, was released today.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a multi-year, $75 million campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.
Hi, This post is regarding a Premature Infants Study going on right now, through June 2.
If you would like to be a voice for the cause, and wouldn't mind spending 5-10 minutes doing a phone interview/survey, please email me, Lisa at lcrodocker@hotmail.com.
Participants will be awarded $15 for their time and involvement. You will also have the option of being on other panels, later on down the road if you choose. It is an excellent way to be a part of medical solutions. Have a nice day!
The length of a normal pregnancy or gestation is considered to be 40 weeks (280 days) from the date of conception. Infants born before 37 weeks gestation are considered premature and may be at risk for complications.
Description
More than one out of every ten infants born in the United States is born prematurely. Advances in medical technology have made it possible for infants born as young as 23 weeks gestational age (17 weeks premature) to survive. These premature infants, however, are at higher risk for death or serious complications, which include heart defects, respiratory problems, blindness, and brain damage.
Causes & Symptoms
The birth of a premature baby can be brought on by several different factors, including premature labor; placental abruption, in which the placenta detaches from the uterus; placenta previa, in which the placenta grows too low in the uterus; premature rupture of membranes, in which the amniotic sac is torn, causing the amniotic fluid to leak out; incompetent cervix, in which the opening to the uterus opens too soon; and maternal toxemia, or blood poisoning. While one of these conditions are often the immediate reason for a premature birth, its underlying cause is usually unknown. Prematurity is much more common in multiple pregnancy and for mothers who have a history of miscarriages or who have given birth to a premature infant in the past. One of the few,and most important, identifiable cause of prematurity is drug abuse, particularly cocaine, by the mother.
Infants born prematurely may experience major complications due to their low birth weight and the immaturity of their body systems. Some of the common problems among premature infants are jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes), apnea (a long pause in breathing), and inability to breast or bottle feed. Body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate may be difficult to regulate in premature infants. The lungs, digestive system, and nervous system (including the brain) are underdeveloped in premature babies, and are particularly vulnerable to complications. Some of the more common risks and complications of prematurity are described below.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the most common problem seenin premature infants. Babies born too soon have immature lungs that have not developed surfactant , a protective film that helps air sacs in the lungs to stay open. With RDS, breathing is rapid and the center of the chest and rib cage pull inward with each breath. Extra oxygen can be supplied to the infant through tubes that fit into the nostrils of the nose, or by placing the baby under an oxygen hood. In more serious cases, the baby may have to have a breathing tube inserted and receive air from a respirator or ventilator. A surfactant drug can be given in some cases to coat the lung tissue. Extra oxygen may beneed for a few days or weeks, depending on how small and premature the baby was at birth. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the development of scar tissue in the lungs, and can occur in severe cases of RDS.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a further complication of prematurity. In this condition, part of the baby's intestines are destroyed as a result of bacterial infection. In cases where only the innermost lining of the bowel dies, the infant's body can regenerate it over time; however, if the full thickness of a portion dies, it must be removed surgically and an opening (ostemy) must be made for the passage of wastes until the infant is healthy enough for the remaining ends to be sewn together. Because NEC is potentially fatal, doctors are quick to respond to its symptoms, which include lethargy, vomiting, a swollen and/or red abdomen, fever, and blood in the stool. Measures include taking the infant off mouth feedings and feeding him or her intravenously; administering antibiotics; and removing air and fluids from the digestive tract via a nasal tube. Approximately 70% of NEC cases can be successfully treated without surgery.
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is another serious complication of prematurity. It is a condition in which immature and fragile blood vessels within the brain burst and bleed into the hollow chambers (ventricles) normally reserved for cerebrospinal fluid and into the tissue surrounding them. Physicians grade the severity of IVH according to a scale of I-IV, with I being bleeding confined to a small area around the burst vessels and IV being an extensive collection of blood not only in the ventricles, but in the brain tissue itself. Grades I and II are not uncommon, and the baby's body usually reabsorbs the blood with not ill effects. However, more severe IVH can result in hydrocephalus, a potentially fatal condition in which too much fluid collects in the ventricles, exerting increased pressure on the brain and causing the baby's head to expand abnormally.
To drain fluid and relieve pressure on the brain, doctors will either perform lumbar punctures, a procedure in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canal to drain fluids; install a reservoir, a tube that drains fluid from a ventricle and into an artificial chamber under or on top of the scalp; or install a ventricular shunt, a tube that drains fluid from the ventricles and into the abdomen, where it is reabsorbed by the body. Infants who are at high risk for IVH usually have an ultrasound taken of their brain in the first week after birth, followed by others if bleeding is detected. IVH cannot be prevented; however, close monitoring can ensure that procedures to reduce fluid in the brain are implemented quickly to minimize possible damage.
Apnea of prematurity is a condition where the infant stops breathing for periods lasting up to 20 seconds. It is often associated with a slowing of the heart rate. The baby may become pale, or the skin color may change to a blue or purplish hue. Apnea occurs most commonly when the infant is asleep. Infants with serious apnea may need medications to stimulate breathing or oxygen through a tube inserted in the nose. Some infants may be placed on a ventilator or respirator with a breathing tube inserted into the airway. As the baby gets older, and the lungs and brain tissues mature, the breathing usually becomes more regular.
As the fetus develops, it gets the oxygen it needs from the mother's blood system. Most of the blood in the infant's system bypasses the lungs. Once the baby is born, its own blood must start pumping through the lungs to get oxygen. Normally, this bypass duct closes within the first few hours or days after birth. If it does not close, the baby may have trouble getting enough oxygen on its own. Patent ductus arteriosus is a condition where the duct that channels blood between two main arteries does not close after the baby is born. In some cases, a drug, indomethacin, can be given to close the duct. Surgery may be required, however, the duct may close on its own as the baby develops.
Retinopathy of prematurity is a condition where the blood vessels in the baby's eyes do not develop normally, and can, in some cases, result in blindness. Premature infants are also more susceptible to infections. They are born with fewer antibodies which are necessary to fight off infections.
Diagnosis
Many of the problems associated with prematurity depend on how early the baby is born and how much it weighs at birth. The most accurate way of determining thegestational age of an infant in utero is calculating from a known date of conception or using ultrasound imaging to observe development. When a baby is born, doctors can use the Dubowitz exam to estimate gestational age. This standardized test scores responses to 33 specific neurological stimuli to estimate the infant's neural development. Once the baby's gestational age and weight are determined, further tests and electronic fetal monitoring may need to be used to diagnose problems or to track the baby's condition. A blood pressure monitor may be wrapped around the arm or leg. Several types of monitors can betaped to the skin. A heart monitor or cardiorespiratory monitor may be attached to the baby's chest, abdomen, arms, or legs with adhesive patches to monitor breathing and heartrate. A thermometer probe may be taped on the skin to monitor body temperature. Bloodsamples may be taken from a vein or artery. X rays or ultrasound imaging may be used to examine the heart, lungs, and other internal organs.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the types of complications that are present. Itis not unusual for a premature infant to be placed in a heat-controlled unit (an incubator) to maintain its body temperature. Infants that are having trouble breathing on their own may need oxygen either pumped into the incubator, administered through small tubes placed in their nostrils, or through a respirator or ventilator which pumps air into a breathing tube inserted into the airway. The infant may require fluids and nutrients to be administered through an intravenous line where a small needle is inserted into a vein in the hand, foot, arm, leg, or scalp. If the baby needs drugs or medications, they may also be administered through the intravenous line. Another type of line may be inserted into the baby's umbilical cord. This can be used to draw blood samples or to administered medications or nutrients. If heart rate is irregular, the baby may have heart monitor leads taped to the chest. Many premature infants require time and support with breathing and feeding until they mature enough to breath and eat unassisted. Depending on the complications, the baby may require drugs or surgery.
Prognosis
Advances in medical care have made it possible for many premature infants to survive and develop normally. However, whether or not a premature infant will survive is still intimately tied to his or her gestational age:
21 weeks or less: 0% survival rate
22 weeks: 0-10% survival rate
23 weeks: 10-35% survival rate
24 weeks: 40-70% survival rate
25 weeks: 50-80% survival rate
26 weeks: 80-90% survival rate
27 weeks: greater than 90% survival rate
Physicians cannot predict long-term complications of prematurity and some consequences may not become evident until the child is school--aged. Minor disabilities like learning problems, poor coordination, or short attention span may be the result of premature birth, but can be overcome with early intervention. The risks of serious long term complications depend on many factors including how premature the infant was at birth, weight at birth, and the presence or absence of breathing problems. The development of infection or the presence of a birth defect can also effect long term prognosis. Severe disabilities like brain damage, blindness, and chronic lung problems are possible and may require ongoing care.
Prevention
Some of the risks and complications of premature delivery can be reduced if the mother receives good prenatal care, follows a healthy diet, avoids alcohol consumption, and refrains from cigarette smoking. In some cases of premature labor, the mother may be placed on bed rest or given drugs that can stop labor contractions for days or weeks, giving the developing infant more time to develop before delivery. The physician may prescribe a steroid medication to be given to the mother before the delivery to help speed up the baby's lung development. The availability of neonatal intensive care unit, a special hospital unit equipped and trained to deal with premature infants, can also increase the chances of survival.
Key Terms
Apnea
A long pause in breathing.
Dubowitz exam
Standardized test that scores responses to 33 specific neurological stimuli to estimate an infants neural development and, hence, gestational age.
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
A condition in which blood vessels within the brain burst and bleed into the hollow chambers (ventricles) normally reserved for cerebrospinal fluid and into the tissue surrounding them.
Jaundice
Yellow discoloration of skin and whites of the eyes that results form excess bilirubin in the body's system.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
A condition in which part of the intestines are destroyed as a result of bacterial infection.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
Condition in which a premature infant with immature lungs does not develop surfacant, a protective film that helps air sacs in the lungs to stay open. The most common problem seen in premature infants.
Retinopathy of prematurity
A condition in which the blood vessels in a premature's infant's eyes do not develop normally, and can, in some cases, result in blindness.
Surfactant
A protective film that helps air sacs in the lungs to stay open. Premature infants may not have developed this protective layer before birth and are more susceptible to respiratory problems without it. Some surfactant drugs are available. These can be given through a respirator and will coat the lungs when the baby breaths the drug in.
Further Reading
For Your Information
Periodicals
O'Shea, T. Michael, et al. "Survival and Developmental Disability in Infants with Birth Weights of 501 to 800 grams, Born between 1979 and 1994." Pediatrics 100 (December 1997): 982-986.
Trachtenbarg, D. E. and T. C. Miller. "Office Care of the Small, Premature Infant." Primary Care 22 (March 1995): 1-21.
Taken from the advice of the local NICU unit. WARNING! Please refer to your Doctor before doing any of the exercises outlined in this article. It has been written by a qualified physiotherapist, however each child is individual as are their needs. This is for your information and principles apply. Please download and print it. Next time you go to the doctor show him/her and discuss their opinion on the information below.
The purpose of this booklet is to help you, as parents, handle your new baby in the best possible way for your baby’s development.
The activities I suggest are not to be considered to be work or a set of exercise which should be done at certain times every day or for a certain length of time each day.
They are a way of handling and playing with your baby at all times and are best incorporated into his/her daily activities, eg. at nappy change times, at bath time or before or after a feed.
For convenience I will refer to your baby as a boy but of course these instructions apply equally to girls.
WHY DOES MY BABY NEED PHYSIOTHERAPY? The Physiotherapist’s main concern is MOVEMENT and making sure that people move correctly - the way the body was designed to move.
So, one of the major functions of the Physiotherapist in the Nursery is to help babies who MAY be at risk of having future movement problems to learn the correct patterns of movement from the start.
It have been shown that there are particular groups of babies who are more likely to have movement problems than others. There are:
Premature babies and most especially babies whose birth weight is 1500 grams or less. Babies who have had a bleed into the brain tissue before, during or after birth. Babies who have suffered Birth Asphyxia, ie. severe breathing difficulties at birth.
Not all these babies will have problems but because the risks are higher for them, it is best to teach them the correct way to move from the beginning.
There are many simple things that you as parents can do with your baby every day - every time you touch your baby - to help him.
PREMATURE BABIES I will briefly explain some of the reasons why premature babies need Physiotherapy.
It is wrong to believe that because your baby has been born early he has been given a head start in life.
The opposite is in fact true.
A premature baby has two ages. His actual age which is his age since he was born and his corrected age, ie. the age he would be if he was born on time.
If he is 6 months old but he was born 2 months early, his corrected age is 4 months and he can only be expected to do what a 4 month old baby is doing - not a 6 month old baby. He needs extra help to learn all the things he has missed out on by being born early.
The last eight weeks that a baby spends “in utero” are very important for developing what is called “physiological flexion” or the foetal position.
When a baby is born on time (at term age) he is nicely bent up and his back rounded, his arms forward, his legs bent up towards his tummy, his chin tucked in and his head forward. This is because he has become more and more “squashed” in the few weeks prior to his birth and he has been forced into this bent up position. Over the next 6 weeks gravity will eventually pull his arms and legs down, so he becomes straighter or more extended. when a baby is born early, he hasn’t had time to become “squashed up” and to develop this “flexion. So you will notice that your baby is quite straight.
Another reason why it is difficult for your premature baby to achieve this foetal position is because he has to be able to pull his legs and arms up against gravity, which is a difficult thing to do. He is generally not strong enough to do this so he stays extended instead. He will eventually adopt a frog-like position which is easier for him but not necessarily ideal for the development of good movement.
This foetal position has been proven to be very important for a baby’s development of normal movement. He will not automatically develop this position with time. He has to be put there and kept there so he can learn that this is the correct way to be.
Once he has learned to do this, he has a good stable base on which to build more complicated movements.
A premature baby as very little ability to control his movements so we have to do it for him. He movements are usually jerky and erratic and these may even continue when he is asleep.
If, however, he is put into the foetal position and kept there as securely as possible he will feel more stable and will be able to use his energy on more important things than controlling his arms and legs.
We must aim at teaching your baby to be able to have quiet peaceful sleep and quiet restful awake times and not jerky sleep times and frantic distressed awake times. This is called being able to return to base.
Another reason why your premature baby needs Physiotherapy is because he will not be a strong as a baby born at term.
A term baby has had plenty of exercise in the 8 weeks or more before his birth, by kicking and pushing against the walls of the uterus. He has been able to move around a little in a nice secure environment gradually building up his muscle strength without becoming distressed by being able to move too much. So we have to give your premature baby some walls to kick against so that by the time he reaches term age he is as strong as he would be if he was born on time. I will explain how we can do this a little later.
Other Babies at Risk of Movement Problems If your baby has suffered what is called an intraventricular haemorrhage (a bleed into his brain) or birth asphyxia (severe breathing problems at birth) he may experience movement problems immediately, or maybe later in his first year of life.
It is very difficult to tell whether he will, so it is best to teach him correct postures (positions) and movements and to prevent him from developing incorrect ones.
The principals for handling your baby are the same as for the premature baby.
What Can We Do? You, as parents play a very important role in the development of your child and from the time he comes off a ventilator it is essential that you participate in this care.
Babies learn by repetition, so the more often they have the right information going in, the more likely they are to learn.
So we can teach babies by:
Correct position Correct handling A movement programme AIMS Until your baby is about 6-8 weeks post term (or 6-8 weeks corrected age) you must remember the following things whenever you feed your baby, change his nappy, play with him, put him down to sleep or put him down to peel the potatoes! That is - ALWAYS!
You Want His Head in the midline. It should be allowed to flop sideways or to flop backwards. Shoulders forward and hands towards the midline. Legs bent up towards his chest and his knees and feet towards the midline. You want him to be bent up (flexed) as much as possible whether he is lying on his back or on his tummy or on his side. You want his to be symmetrical. It is not until a child is about 18 months to 2 years old that you should be able to tell whether he is going to be left or right handed. So, until then, if he can do something with one leg or one, arm, he should be able to do the same with the other.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WHILE YOUR BABY IS ON A VENTILATOR?
There isn’t a great deal that you can do to help your baby’s future movement while he is being ventilated.
The nursing staff and the Physiotherapist do everything they can to ensure that your baby is positioned in the best way possible. At this stage the most important thing to him is that his lungs are working the best they can and that he gets the oxygen that he needs.
If the function of his lungs is not compromised, then all or some of the aims (mentioned above) can be achieved in his position. Often though, this is difficult because of the many tubes, drips and boards which are essential to his medical care.
In the Incubator When your baby has graduated to an incubator you can participate more in his care.
If your baby has a plastic box around his head it is because he still needs extra oxygen. The headbox makes it difficult to perform a movement programme, but it is now possible to position him more effectively and by using nappy rolls or a boomerang pillow you can help to maintain that position. (It is best to check with Physio or the Nurse who is looking after your baby before changing his position).
Remember that he is learning all the time, even when it seems he is doing nothing. Remember also that he must learn how to be still before he can learn to move properly. So, correct positioning is effective treatment.
If your baby is not in a headbox he may still have extra oxygen going into his incubator and so, once again, good positioning is the best thing you can do for him.
One he has reached term age he may also be able to start a gentle movement programme, but this must only be commenced under the supervision of the Physio.
If your baby has no extra oxygen going into the incubator and he is just lying around waiting to grow, you can commence a movement programme, not forgetting that when you have finished, you put you baby back in a good position.
The best way to lift your baby while his is in the incubator and later when he graduates to a cot is to turn him onto his tummy first and then lift him as in Fig 3.
If you lift him while he is face up you can see that gravity pulls him down into extension which is the opposite of what we are trying to do. However, if you turn him over first, gravity helps to pull him into flexion.
How to use the Baby Boomerang Pillow in the Incubator We use the Boomerang pillow in the incubator to:
Maintain a position To provide support To provide some resistance to the baby’s movement.
It can be used in many ways. The tapes can be tied at different lengths making it adjustable for different positions.
Whenever the baby is lying on his back the curve of the pillow should be placed under his head and arms of the pillow should be placed under his shoulders.
When the baby is on his side his head is placed on one arm of the pillow and the other around his back. The back tie is when pulled under the baby and tied to the front one.
With the baby lying on his tummy resting on his knees and elbows, the pillow is placed around his bottom and tied under his tummy.
On his tummy also the pillow may be placed under the baby’s tummy. Once again he is resting on his elbows and knees.
After your baby leaves hospital the boomerang pillow has two main functions:
Whenever your baby is on his back, eg, at nappy change time, place the pillow under his head. When his is in the car capsule place it around his head to stop his head from rolling around.
The Movement Programme - Start at Term Age. This is a small series of exercised designed to help you handle your baby the best way possible, to teach your baby good quality movement and to prevent movement problems.
It consists of 4 simple activities which take about 5 minutes. It is best done just before a fee. This will make our baby more wakeful for the feed and it is best done on an empty stomach.
Don’t wake your baby between feeds to do this as his sleep is very important.
All movements should be slow and smooth and should be repeated approximately 12 times.
Activity 1 With your baby’s nappy off and lying on his back, put one hand under his head and hold it in the midline. With your other hand hold his arms across his chest. Tuck his chin in and slowly sit him up. Now lower him back slowly. By doing this you are teaching your baby to keep his head in the midline, to get his shoulders forward and to get his hands to the midline, so that later he will be able to reach for toys and take them to his mouth.
Activity 2 With your baby lying on his back, place the curve of the boomerang pillow under the bump of the baby’s head (not under his neck) and the arms of the pillow under his shoulders. Let your baby hold onto your thumbs, hold his elbows and hands with your fingers then slowly each his shoulders forward bringing his elbows and hands together. This is to teach your baby to get his shoulders forward and to get his hands to the midline. It also prevents shortening of the muscles which pull his shoulders back. Activity 3 With your baby lying on his back on the boomerang pillow hold his hands across his chest. Hold his knees bent up towards his chest and gently roll his legs from side to side. In this activity you are teaching your baby to hold his head in the midline and to get his feet in the midline. You are also stretching his bottom muscles.
Activity 4 One of the most important things you can do for your baby is to put him on his tummy for play, He is born with an automatic reaction called protective side turning, which makes him turn his head to the side to breathe. Lying on his tummy is essential for his development. Up until he is about 6 weeks corrected age he should lie with his legs bent up under his tummy. After that time he should be allow to straighten them and he should lift his chin up off the bed.
In this position you can massage his back from top to bottom using 2-3 fingers of both hands and down his legs and arms. Massage both sides of his back together so you are stimulating symmetrical development. Tummy lying is also a good position if your baby has wind. Swaddling As explained earlier in this booklet, a baby and especially one who has been born early, has very little control of his movements.
It is essential that for a least 6 weeks after a baby’s due date (ie, 6 weeks corrected) that he is wrapped tightly in a bunny rug or a sheet in summer.
If this security is not given to your baby he will not sleep as well, startle often, his movements will be jerky, he will become distressed and he may experience feeding problems.
He may get his hands out of the wrapping, but this does not mean that he wants to be unwrapped, He is not yet capable of a decision like this and really would prefer to be cramped up in a safe confined space until his brain develops enough to allow him to have some control over his movements.
Wrap him tightly with his hands up near or touching his face, his legs bent up on his tummy and with his neck supported.
Other Handling Suggestions A good position to play with your baby or to bottle feed him is sitting on the floor with your legs bent up, or sitting on a chair with your legs bent up resting on another chair and with your baby resting in the crook of your legs.
This puts the baby in a good position with his head in the midline (between your legs), his shoulders forward and his legs bent up.
It also leaves you with two hands free to play with him - or to feed him - especially if he is difficult to feed. Still keep him wrapped in this position and encourage eye contact with your baby.
A Note on Bouncers and Baby Walkers It is my opinion that “bouncers and baby walkers are not good for your baby.
Because the baby is lying flat on his back and banging up and down on a bouncer, he is discouraged from bending up and worse that , he is encouraged to straighten out.
It is acceptable to place a term baby on a bouncer for short periods but it is definitely not advisable to use one for a baby who is likely to have movement problems.
Baby walkers are dangerous and unnecessary and can in fact delay your baby’s development.
A child must stand on his toes in order to push a walker. If he is left in a walker for long periods this may lead to shortening in his Achilles tendons at the back of his ankle which can be very difficult to correct and may even require surgery.
DO YOUR CHILD A FAVOUR. Once your child has reached about 8 weeks corrected age, the best place for him when he is awake and not being cuddled is on a rug on the floor with lots or toys. Put him on his tummy and from there he will learn to roll over and back again, to sit, to crawl and to develop as normally as possible.
Posted by asworkmanon 2005/2/13 15:26:20 (4962 reads)
Hello!
I am a proud mom to a former 23 weeker baby girl, who is now 3 years old.. who dealt with such complications of ROP, IVH grade 4, BPD and tracheal malacia needing a tracheostomy and whom came home on c-pap a year after discharge.I wanted to say hello and tell you about our site and forum, a easy fun friendly forum which is easy to catch up and no emails unless you request them..
www.prematurebaby.org is our home site and our forum http://s8.invisionfree.com/prematurebaby/index.php? all of our members are parents/grandparents of preemies young and old. We also offer a high risk pregnancy forum. I know how preemie life can be and it seems the only ones who know best are other preemie parents. We Invite you to see our site and get to know our members. We have a positive outlook on preemies and share our joys and success's and support each other during times of need. I hope you stop by!
Posted by Leeindaon 2004/9/26 22:57:32 (6918 reads)
Hey ya'll! Its Kayleesmom again. I had a thought.Have any of you ever thought of having dolls made after your preemies? I had a doll made that has Kaylees exact measurements, weighs the same as her and is so darling. I have the website if any of you are interested. Kaylee's doll was $70, she is anatomically correct and comes with a hat and diaper.She is a preemie mom also, she had 2 preemies one of which did not survive. I hope this is of some help.
littlemomma0919@hotmail.com
if your interested give me a hollar and I'll give you her website.
There is a popular belief that preterm infants, those born before 37 weeks gestation, are positively affected by touch. It is important to both parents and practitioners to understand the context of this touch. When a baby is born significantly before his or her “due date” this newborn is subject to more poking and prodding than a full term baby would typically receive. Infants are subjected to a battery of tests and measures to ensure their safety and health. These babies are at a high risk for developmental delays, such as weak fine and gross motor skills, slow cognitive skills, late developing language skills, as well as attention and behavioral disorders.
Here are some links to site that discuss this subject. These sites are not connected to us in anyway but we have included the addresses for your convenience. Please feel free to add your link if it related to the subject.
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