The World Health Organization defines a premature baby as one born before completing 37 weeks of gestation, before 37 weeks, or before 36 weeks plus 6 days.

Home care for premature babies is crucial. When it’s time to leave the hospital and take the baby home, parents may feel unprepared and overwhelmed. Education and guidance from specialists and nurses before leaving the hospital can reassure the family.

Oral, eye, nose, ear, and umbilical cord care is important for the health of premature babies. Premature babies should be fed at regular intervals. If the tongue and oral mucosa are normal and there is no problem that would affect feeding, oral care is not necessary.

Here is information about thrush treatment, umbilical cord cleaning, and nasal care for premature babies who breathe nasally (through the nose) in their first months:

Oral care:

• Before each breastfeeding session, the nipple should be cleaned with boiled and cooled water.
• The baby’s oral mucosa should be monitored for thrush.
• Thrush can appear on the tongue, the lips, the inside of the cheeks, and sometimes in the throat.
• If thrush occurs, the inside of the baby’s mouth should be cleaned with gauze moistened with boiled and cooled water or a solution of sodium bicarbonate. This should be done before feeding.

Eye, nose, and ear care:

• If a baby has trouble breathing while breastfeeding, their nose may be blocked. Special nasal aspirators can be used to clear the nose.
• Milk and nasal drops should absolutely not be put in a baby’s nose.
• If there is no discharge or crusting in the eyes, no special care is needed. If there is, the eyes should be cleaned from the inside out with a clean cotton ball moistened with warm water.
• The premature baby’s ear, the area behind the ear, and the folds of the earlobe should be cleaned with the edge of a clean gauze.
• Absolutely no foreign objects should be inserted into the ear.

Umbilical cord care:

• The umbilical cord dries out and falls off on its own within 8-10 days.
• To prevent infection, the umbilical cord should be kept dry.
• The umbilical cord should not remain inside the diaper.
• If redness, increased warmth, foul odor, swelling, and discharge occur around the umbilical cord, a specialist should be consulted due to the possibility of infection.