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Preemies - Sweetness And Love Can Help
Monday, January 23, 2012 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
If you are going to be a parent, expect the unexpected. I was a planner. Most details of my life were nicely organized as evidenced by my calendar and to-do lists which were marked up nicely.
Then, I got pregnant. It seemed like minutes passed and I had lost brain cells. I definitely had baby brain. I couldn't wait to meet this little one. Since the day she came into our world, she has rocked it. Plans go out the window by the minute. Most times, I don't mind. It's quite an adventure - lol.
As for my pregnancy, I *thought* I would go early. I remember 4 weeks before my due date. I was certain that I would go any day. Ha. The joke was on me. Not only was I NOT early, I was two weeks PAST my due date before the kiddo decided it was time for her to make her entrance.
Everyone has a story. What is yours?
Although my labor and delivery wasn't a fairy book tale, I'll take it. At the end of that night, nineteen minutes shy of midnight and Valentine's Day, I had a healthy baby girl and I wasn't feeling too bad either.
For others, pregnancy ends a little too soon. For whatever reason, the little one decides it's time to make their entrance into the world.
If and when it does, you may be filled with fear and a range of other emotions from giving birth to a preemie.
What can you do for this little one who may need a little more time to grow?
It's at these unexpected times, you may feel the most helpless. Often times, preemies need medical support and testing to ensure they are developing fully.
When this happens, preemies may be subjected to needle pricks and procedures such as throat suctioning.
Unfortunately, so tiny in size, medications meant to reduce discomfort and pain may not be appropriate for preemies.
Good news, new research shows that there IS something you can do for your baby. It may be as simple as a little sugar and love.
Specifically, this newest information - recently heard via National Public Radio shared that:
"Preemies in three Swiss hospitals were given either sugar water, held tightly, or given both when they had heel sticks to draw blood during their first two weeks in neonatal intensive care units. The babies who got both sugar and an embrace called facilitated tucking suffered the least, compared to babies who got just sugar or who were just held.
Sugar alone worked better than holding alone, according to the study, which was published in Pediatrics. It's the latest of many that have shown that it is possible to relieve pain, even in the very young and fragile. Most preemies aren't good candidates for the pain-relieving drugs used in older children and adults. So it's been a huge relief to parents to know that treatments without drugs can work."
In other words, parents of preemies can advocate for their little ones who are enduring a medical procedure by requesting sugar water for their infant, as well as working with the medical team to hold their preemie tightly during a procedure.
It's may seem like a little thing, but can make a big difference to your baby.
And, when the unexpected occurs, it's nice to know what you can do.
Sometimes, a little sweetness and love can make all the difference.
