Premature baby: coming home

To be reassured, parents must remember that if the doctor has authorized the exit of the child – even if the child weighs barely 2 kg – it is because he is in good health. Of course, you shouldn’t hesitate to call the baby team if something is bothering you. Also, stay in touch with the nursery nurse in the PMI sector. Today, we know better how to take care of low weight babies. This is why it is better to contact specialized personnel because those around them, even those of good will, are not always aware of the care to be given to these babies. It is good to make an appointment with the pediatrician 8 days after returning home. This allows you to take stock and … to reassure yourself.

• The return home is often the time that parents choose to celebrate the birth of the child, a little later: they send the announcements, take advantage of the gifts, give good news. The baby finally makes its entry into the family and friendly environment of its parents.

Medical surveillance of the first months

If the baby was very premature, he will be closely monitored medically. Regular clinical examinations will check its development, including a hearing exam, as well as one or two visual examinations in the first two years. If acquisition delays are detected, treatment will be offered (speech therapy, physiotherapy, psychomotor skills). The latter can be done in a CAMSP (Center for early medico-social action) and parents will be helped to stimulate their child. In the event of less prematurity, one or two consultations are generally offered in the year following discharge from the maternity hospital to ensure that everything is fine. Today, children are increasingly followed by a group of professionals organized in a network. In addition, with the pediatrician, you will see everything relating to food, vaccinations – the schedule of which is a little different from that usually proposed – as well as the monitoring of development which also requires special attention. The first few months, do not wait to see if your baby has a fever, coughs, is congested, because he is still fragile on the pulmonary level.

In the months following the premature birth

Throughout the first year, and sometimes even beyond, the question remains in the minds of parents: will my baby have consequences of his prematurity? Will his development be normal? Will he catch up? Catching up depends on the child’s history, age of birth, length of stay in intensive care and his own ability to adapt. Each child is different, each development is individual.

The most premature infants are generally well looked after after discharge from the hospital, but moderate premature infants are sometimes less so. It is important that the latter are identified to form part of specific support networks.

During the first two years, there is a lag between the age calculated from the date of birth, and the actual developmental age. This actual developmental age is called the corrected age. To monitor development, the doctor will always refer to the corrected age which is, ultimately, the age your child would have if he were born at term. This discrepancy, very clear during the first nine months, quickly diminishes as soon as the child has learned to walk, then to speak. This is in no way a delay. A further important step will be the start of primary school with the learning of reading and writing.

In the meantime, we must trust the child, and believe, with the active support of a multidisciplinary team, in his great adaptability.

This article is taken from the book “J’élève mon enfant” by Laurence Pernoud, Horay editions, 2018.