Minimal handling of a preterm baby

Minimal handling means the less a baby is touched, the less likely that infection will be transmitted from hands of the people around the baby..Handling preterm babies and disturbing the sick babies will result in deterioration of their condition making them hypoxic..Thus the respiration becomes irregular and when the pulmonary arterial pressure is increased,the right to left shunting also increases and result in hypoxia..

At home:

Only the mother and the main caretaker of the baby and the baby’s mother must handle the preterm baby..

Avoid handling the baby at all times..Handle only when necessary..

You can handle the baby while feeding and also while changing the diaper..

Make sure other people(baby’s paternal and maternal relatives) don’t handle the baby..Explain to them clearly the consequences..

Keep the baby  comfortable on the crib or bed to reduce handling..

You should also restrict visitors from coming and seeing the baby..

At the hospital:

During or before a procedure baby should be cleaned and kept ready with minimal handling..

Before cleaning a sick baby,the nurse should decide whether it is really required to handle the baby..

The baby needs rest,so do not disturb the baby..

Plan the work beforehand to ensure minmal handling..

For example if an x-ray taken is not good but conveys the information that is required,it need not be repeated..The same applies to other medical procedures as well..

 Related article:

How to bring up a preterm baby