Caring for Your Premature Baby After the NICU
Dr. Het Pujara5 min read
After weeks in the NICU, taking your baby home is emotional — joy, relief, and often anxiety about whether you are ready. Most parents are more prepared than they feel.
Before discharge:
The neonatology team will ensure stable breathing, feeding, and temperature control, and teach you any special care — medications, oxygen, apnea monitoring, or feeding techniques. Ask every question, even ones that feel small.
Setting up at home:
Keep the room warm and smoke-free. Limit visitors initially to reduce infection risk. Wash hands meticulously. Learn the signs of breathing difficulty, poor feeding, or lethargy that require a call to the hospital.
Feeding and growth:
Premature babies may feed slowly and need fortified milk or supplements. Regular weight checks and follow-up visits track catch-up growth. Breastfeeding support is available — ask our team before discharge.
Follow-up care:
Developmental follow-up for premature infants is essential. Milestones may be assessed using corrected age. Early therapy referrals, when needed, make a meaningful difference.
Looking after yourselves:
NICU graduation is a parent achievement too. Rest when you can, accept help, and stay connected with your neonatologist’s office between visits.
Feathers Hospital’s 15 NICU supports families from admission through discharge planning and beyond — because the best start continues at home.
Topics
- premature baby
- NICU discharge
- newborn care
- follow-up
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