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Premature Parents: The First Steps
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Although it is true that as a parent you are probably trying to gain your internal trust, security, and calmness, the truth is that your baby, from the moment he or she was born, has taken on a truly hard battle. Obviously this is not something that is easy on either side, but as you go taking care of the needs of your baby, you will also gain security in yourself and self esteem.
Progressively, and in this order, you will need to learn to change diapers, feed your baby a bottle (if you for some reason cannot breastfeed the baby), breastfeed the baby, but always aware that all the resources that are done will be to improve the experience and offer safety and protection to the baby.
How to Change a Premature Baby’s Diaper in the Incubator
It is very likely that while the baby does not show him or herself to be very active due to the prematurity, you feel afraid of having to change his or her diaper.
Start off first by placing everything you will need inside the incubator. For example: the clean diaper, gauze, etc, otherwise you will have to leave the doors of the incubator open for a longer amount of time and the baby’s body will lose heat, which you don’t want to do.
If your baby is really small, there are not diapers that are made to fit his or her size, so you will have to ask one of the nurses to help you cut it. Watch how the nurse does this, and if you think it convenient, practice doing this at home with another diaper of the smallest size because the next time you change your baby’s diaper, the nurses might even let you cut it yourself.
If your baby is on his or her stomach, you will need to change the position he or she is in, so if you are right handed use that hand to move the baby’s body.
You should use your left hand to protect and accompany the movement of the baby’s head.
Since this will possibly be one of the first barriers you will need to cross in order to care and assist your baby – of learning how to move your child from one place to another, but limiting your movements to the open space of the lateral doors – it is advisable you ask one of the nurses for help so he or she can show you how to accomplish this in the easiest way possible, or if not you can also ask another already experienced mother to help you.
Since I personally felt very insecure when it came to turning my daughter around, I spent several nights practicing how to place my hands by using a little wet curled towel. This way, I was not only able to adapt the towel into the right size but also the approximate weight of my daughter. Anything you do to make yourself feel secure in this sense is what you should do; so don’t doubt in practicing any way that will make you feel comfortable. One other suggestion is to use a rag doll.
In order to move such a small baby from one position to another, what you need to learn is how to place your fingers under the baby’s neck and head, as well as protect his or her back, but with one hand. The other hand (your right hand if you are right handed) will need to be used to rotate the baby’s body and accommodate it into position.
If you go with your husband or partner, you can both make this job a lot easier by helping each other, since incubators have doors on both sides.
When removing your baby’s dirty diaper, keep the following two things in mind:
- Do not allow the sticky part of the diaper touch the baby’s body at any moment, since the baby’s skin can get hurt. (Premature babies have very delicate skin).
- In order to remove the baby’s dirty diaper – your baby will have to be face up -, lift the baby’s hips upwards very softly with your fingers. It is not convenient you grab the baby from the legs. The legs should be leaning on the palm of your hand. And you will need to do the same when placing the clean diaper on the baby. After you have placed the diaper on your baby, close it very carefully. Oil your baby’s body before dressing him or her again. Don’t forget to put his or her socks and cotton hat back on.
- Another suggestion: before changing your baby’s diaper, it is suggested you place your hand over your baby’s comfort area so you can clam him or her down first. It will also help you to feel more at ease.
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