Proper Nutrition for Premature Babies is Essential

Proper nutrition for babies is essential, especial for premature babies. Each premature baby will have different level of eating habits depending on her level of maturity. As parents and caregivers, there are important factors to keep in mind when feeding a premature baby. For example, a premature baby may or may not cry when she is hungry because her nervous system may not always tell her when she is hungry.

This is why keeping a regular feeding routine will help to know when to schedule her feedings. Because her stomach is so small, it will be required that smaller meals be given more often than trying to stuff her. Keep in mind too that she may have difficulty keeping the nipple in her mouth. As she develops, this skill will be easier to grasp. Sucking motions on bottles are hard, especially for preemies, and since her mouth is so small and the muscles for sucking may be weak, she has to work harder.

Each time you go to feed your baby, it may seem to last a long time. As she grows and gets stronger, this will improve. Her sucking, swallowing and breathing will have more rhythm to it. If your premature baby is prone to fall asleep during the beginning of feedings, or sleeps through feeding times, try to wake her by changing positions or removing her blankets from around her. It is highly important that she receives all of her recommended nutrients through out the day. Feeding can be very rewarding, especially when you see the physical and mental progress of your child.

All babies, especially premature babies need special care and attention. Talk to your health care provider if you notice that your baby's feedings routinely last more than 30 minutes or is taking fewer than five meals per day. Other situations to be concerned about is if your baby is often fussy or distressed during feedings, has trouble breathing during a feeding, is difficult to wake for meals, tires easily, or even has difficulty finishing a bottle.

Other aspects that should be brought up to a health care professional is if your baby frequently gags, coughs, or chokes easily while feeding, refuses to eat, difficult to feed, or arches or stiffens during a feeding. This can give cues to other problems that need to be addressed. With the proper intervention many premature children can thrive physically and mentally as long as their needs, especially nutrition are met.