A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 81
Photo: Polina Tankilevitch, Pexels
Going home
You may want to buy a thermometer to monitor your
baby’s temperature until you feel more confident.
This should be a digital thermometer and you
should place this under your baby’s armpit. Their
temperature should normally be between 36.5 and
37.1°C (97.7– 98.7°F).
If your baby is too hot, take some layers off and check
again. If your baby is too cold, add more layers and
give your baby a cuddle.
If they seem unwell, lethargic or they don’t warm up if cold, speak to your GP
as soon as possible or call the Maternal and Child Health Line in Victoria on
132 229. For other states go to raisingchildren.net.au for a list of hotlines.
Smoking and Vaping
It is very important to remember that babies who have been
in a neonatal unit can have fragile lungs and fall ill easily. If
Information and
your baby comes home to a house where people smoke
support about quitting
regularly, their health can be seriously compromised.
can be found at:
quitnowaustralia.com.au
If you, your partner or someone you live with is finding it
hard to stop smoking, try to only smoke outdoors when
your baby is not around. This is the perfect time to try to stop
smoking for the sake of everyone’s health – including your baby.
Visitors
Don’t be surprised if people aren’t in a hurry to visit. Family and friends
sometimes feel they should leave parents alone to bond or they may think
that the worst is over. This is often when support is needed the most as
parents no longer have the security of hospital staff. There are a few things
to consider when people come to visit you and your baby.
Babies who have been in a neonatal unit are often at higher risk of getting
an infection than other infants. You need to be careful where you take baby
and who comes to visit. You don’t need to stay in your house alone for the first
months after your baby comes home but you do need to take extra care.
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
78
