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A baby who is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy when calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period is called a preterm baby
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Most often, preterm or premature babies weigh less than 2500 grams at birth and are considered as low birth weight babies
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The body of preterm infants is not as well adjusted to survive the outer world as compared to term babies and hence they are likely to have some complications
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At times, premature babies may not be able to suck or swallow. They can be fed through the enteral route however it is best to give human milk as it helps the baby grow faster
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Human milk should be fed to the baby as soon as possible that is within half an hour to one hour after birth. It can lower the risk of hypoglycemia
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While feeding for example in a cot the baby should be placed on right side with its head raised a bit to avoid chances of regurgitation
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Breastmilk is preferred for feeding the premature baby as it aids in promoting gut health and enhances gut motility. It also reduces the chances of infection
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Nursing care is highly important — the baby’s temperature should be monitored twice daily and the weight should be checked to look for signs of over or underhydration
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Preterm babies lose heat easily and must be kept warm using skin-to-skin contact, called kangaroo mother care, or radiant warmers to prevent hypothermia
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Strict hand hygiene, minimal handling, and proper sterilization of feeding equipment are essential to reduce the risk of infections in preterm babies