Approximately 7% of children born in Spain are premature babies, according to data from the Spanish Society of Neonatology, which is still valid. A newborn is considered premature in those cases in which the birth occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. In these situations, it can occur between 28 to 32 weeks, for those very premature; or when it occurs before 28 weeks, in the most extreme cases.
Although medical advances have allowed the birth of premature babies to take place successfully and for these babies to develop and grow appropriately, they have certain differences from others born at the optimal time. These distinctions can be observed mainly in their appearance and behavior, so parents should be appropriately informed and able to adapt.
One of the first aspects that can be seen in premature babies has to do with the proportions of their body. Since this person will have less body fat, this will make their skin appear thinner and the blood vessels will be easily visible. In addition, it is the reason why they have a greater risk of contracting diseases such as colds, since they do not have that protection. A larger-looking head will also be identified, with more marked features.
Regarding the way they behave, premature babies are not characterized by their crying, which, in fact, is usually very soft, because their respiratory system is not yet prepared. This can also translate into respiratory problems.
A premature baby can cause great worry and stress in parents, who are worried about the health of the newborn and how this condition will influence its development. However, you will have to arm yourself with patience and trust in the specialized medical personnel, who will ensure your well-being. That is why, at first, they may not be able to spend as much time as they would like with their newborn, due to the special medical attention that they may require. However, it will be temporary.
Feeding is something that must be determined by the medical staff, since it will largely depend on the condition and capacity of the baby. This will be one of the many indications that will be received from the health team. One piece of advice is to ask them as many questions as possible to have everything as clear as possible when leaving the hospital.
During the first weeks, it is not advisable to expose the baby to the outside world; it is best to limit these outings as a precaution against possible infections or viruses that the baby may contract.
