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PARENTING YOUR PREMATURE BABY |
| Things to Know After Discharge |
  Interacting with Your Baby
How do I interact with my baby?
By visiting your baby in the hospital you have been getting to know your baby and your baby has been getting to know you.
Things that parents can do once you are home:
- Talk, read a book, or sing to your baby in a soft voice.
- Draw a picture with a black marker on a white piece of paper. Place it near your baby's crib or infant seat while your baby is awake. Babies like to look at the contrasting colors.
- Touch and hold your baby closely to you.
- Carry your baby in a sling or pack in the front of you.
- Lay on your side on the bed and place your baby down next to you so he/she can see your face. Babies love to look at faces and eyes.
Premature babies are much more sensitive to stimulation. Some signals to watch for that would show that your baby might be getting tired are:
- Turning away from you, or squirming
- Grimaces, yawning, sneezing or sticking tongue out
- Faster breathing
- Crying or becoming irritable, maybe spitting up
- Skin color changes
- Straining as if to have a bowel movement
- Arching of the neck and back
Remember to keep in mind that your baby needs to have short times of stimulation because he/she tires quickly.
How will I know if my baby needs something?
Premature babies may not always cry when they need something.
Ways to tell if your baby may need something are:
- Squirming or moving their arms or legs, becoming more active in their crib
- Facial grimaces
- Crying
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