Leaving the NICU with your baby is exciting and moment to celebrate….your baby is healthy enough to go home with you! Still parents are scared by the fact that they are moving baby from a safe and secured conditioned environment where baby is constantly monitored to a new home!
Though medical care team will help you in making this transition easier and comfortable, following guidelines will guide you in what to expect and how to deal with the challenges of home care of preemie.

1. Ready to go home…if baby is on spoon and breast feeds, maintaining temperature and steadily gaining some weight.
2. Care plan of your baby is thoroughly discussed ànd explained in your language well in advance of discharge date by your doctor.
3. Discuss feeding plan properly as per the baby needs and train yourself in feeding your baby with spoon /Palade by spending time in nice and feeding your baby under supervision of medical care team.
4. Ask for some nesting with baby prior to discharge…stay with your preemie for a day or two to gain confidence in care at home.
5. Reach out for help from family friends and health professionals during the stressful few days at home. Getting help will help in spending some time with older siblings and training them to accept the new addition to family in a positive way rather than feeling ignored during this period .
6. Be ready with the baby’s care and emergency kit as per advise from your doctor
7. Practice and continue doing Kangaroo care at home for some period and involve father for same.It helps improve your baby’s health as well as breastfeeding.
8. Put your baby to sleep on the back to reduce risk of SIDS while maintaining a comfortable room temperature for baby.
9. Avoid hugging, kissing and visitors at home .Ensure whosoever visits sanitise properly and change clothes before cuddling the baby
10. Avoid taking the baby out to prevent risk of catching infection till his first vaccination after discharge.
11. Keep in touch with your doctor and follow advise on regular follow ups.
12. Inform friends and family to keep their visits to a minimum or avoid coming over if they’ve been around others or exposed to sickness.
13. Take care of yourself..ensure you have plenty of help from your spouse, family members and friends Go out and enjoy yourself or indulge in mommy pampering time.
14. Mommy,pls ensure you are getting enough sleep and eating properly too …to help your body to recuperate.

STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY!
#DrDeepaAggarwal #bestpediatrician#mayomhospital #premie#nicugraduate#home care