Before your baby comes home:
• Speak with the NICU staff at your
baby’s hospital. They are very knowledgeable about what your baby may need when
going home.
• If you clean your home before your
baby’s arrival, (or if you want to brighten up your preemie’s nursery by
painting it) do so before he comes home. This way you can avoid any strong
smells that may linger.
• Clean your house of dust and
germs. Vacuum and dust often, take out the garbage and keep your kitchen and
bathroom clean. Also, tell your baby’s health care provider if you have any
pets. Pet hair can track in dirt and dust.
• If your baby needs oxygen,
carefully observe the cleaning requirements, particularly for the humidifier,
and understand the safety recommendations.
Once your baby is home:
• Your baby should not be exposed to
smoke, aerosol sprays or paint fumes. These irritants can cause wheezing,
coughing, and difficulty breathing.
• Maintain a smoke-free household.
Post signs around your house if you need to so family and friends are aware of
your smoke-free home.
• The guidelines for cleaning and storing bottles,
nipples, pacifiers, breast pump equipment and milk or formula are the same for
preemies as term babies.
• If your baby is on an apnea
monitor, be sure you can hear the alarm from every room in your house.
• Wash hands after blowing your
nose, diapering your baby or handling raw food. Don’t let adults or children who are
sick, have a fever or who may have been exposed to illness, near your baby.
Visit our website here for more great
resources for parents after they bring their baby home from the NICU.
What do you remember being helpful
when you brought your preemie home? What tips would you recommend to new
parents?
Tags: cleaning your home, dust,
germs, going home, going home after NICU, NICU,
preemie, preterm, smoke-free household
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