Page 45 - What to Expect

Going home

Life at home

Once you are home you need to be aware that special care and pre-term
babies are very susceptible to any bug that is going around. It is important
to turn away visitors who have colds or have recently been ill. If you are
breast-feeding your baby will receive some immunity to bugs through the
breast milk, but this immunity will stop about four weeks after you stop
breast-feeding. Your baby can generally be immunised at the normal ages.
Talk to your GP, Plunket nurse or neonatal homecare nurse about this.
Encourage hand washing before touching your baby, especially after doing
mucky jobs like gardening and changing nappies. You are probably more
aware of germs and hygiene because you have just spent a length of time
in the Unit where germ awareness was one of the key issues. Gradually
your concern over stringent cleanliness will relax. The same goes for going
into a panic if you hear bells and beeps similar to those in the Unit.
Be prepared for a wakeful baby. Remember all your baby has known is 24
hours a day of bustle, sounds and light. In the Unit, as the baby gets closer
to going home, the nurses try to differentiate between day and night. This
makes the transition between hospital and home easier for the baby.
You may find it useful to keep stimulation at night to a minimum to
distinguish between day time and night time. Try talking quietly but only
when necessary, and keeping the lights dimmed.
When your baby comes home he may be too unsettled to manage with
total silence at first. Soft music or a talk programme on National Radio may
provide comfort. Your baby may also feel more secure with a dim lamp on
in the room. Your baby can usually be gradually weaned off this over a few
weeks.
Life does get easier — just take one day at a time.

Breast-feeding

Taking your baby home from the Unit fully breast-fed is a substantial
achievement, as stress can be a major factor in inhibiting lactation. If you
have managed to keep your milk flow for the length of time your baby has
been in the Unit, well done!

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