Although preemies get sick more often than other children, parents can follow a few simple steps to keep their baby healthy.
Wash Hands Often
Washing your hands is the best and most important way to keep your premature baby healthy. Hand washing removes the germs that you come into contact with as you go about your daily activities. Wash your hands whenever they get soiled and after every diaper change or a trip to the bathroom. Other important times to wash hands or use hand sanitizer include:
When school-aged children return home from schoolWhen returning home from any outingAfter pumping gasAfter handling raw foodsAfter handling another babyAfter sneezing or nose blowing
Ask About the RSV Vaccine
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be devastating for premature infants. Although the virus causes just a bad cold in healthy adults and children, it can cause difficulty breathing in preemies and is the number one cause of rehospitalization. Hand washing is the first line of defense against RSV, but your child may also be eligible for an RSV prevention medication called Synagis. Often called the RSV vaccine, Synagis is not a true vaccine but contains manufactured antibodies to the RSV virus. The shots are administered monthly throughout the RSV season to protect your preemie against the bug. Not every preemie needs the RSV shots, and insurance companies only cover this expensive therapy for babies who are at the highest risk of serious complications. Your premature baby may be eligible for RSV prevention if he or her:
Was less than 35 weeks at birthWill be less than 3 to 6 months old at the start of RSV seasonHas a heart condition or chronic lung diseaseHas other risk factors, including multiple births, exposure to tobacco smoke, exposure to school-aged children, or a family history of asthma
Get Your Flu Shot
Like RSV, the flu can make premature babies very sick. A flu vaccine is available, but it is only approved for babies older than 6 months. If your preemie will be less than 6 months old during flu season, it’s up to you to protect him or her from the flu. Parents, caregivers, and older siblings should all get the flu shot to avoid catching the flu and then passing it on to the preemie.
Avoid Crowds
It is a great joy when a new baby is born, and friends and family will all be anxious to meet the new arrival. If your baby was born premature, though, your baby’s health should be your top priority. Avoid taking your new baby to crowded gatherings, and have visitors wash their hands as soon as they come into your home. Until your baby is stronger and your pediatrician gives you the green light to venture out of the house more frequently, avoid taking your baby into crowded places. Newborn babies who were born prematurely should stay away from:
Shopping mallsChurch or gym nurseriesLarge family gatheringsSchools and daycare facilities
Don’t Smoke
Exposure to tobacco smoke puts your baby at risk for a number of conditions, including RSV and other respiratory illnesses. It’s best for you and your baby if you don’t smoke. If you do smoke, there are steps you can take to minimize your baby’s exposure and reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses:
Never smoke inside the home.Never smoke in a car with your baby inside.Wear a jacket or long-sleeved shirt when you smoke. After you smoke, remove the jacket and wash your hands.Until your baby is older, don’t visit the home of anyone who smokes inside.
