What should I do if a premature baby spits up milk?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on October 22, 2024
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For premature babies who experience spitting up, first pay attention to the feeding position. During feeding, make sure to hold the baby up with their head higher than their buttocks, which facilitates the smooth passage of milk through the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, if the baby vomits, first pick the baby up and gently pat their back to help release some of the residual gas in the stomach, which can reduce spitting up and vomiting. Also, during feeding, be mindful not to feed too much at once; feeding small amounts more frequently can also help prevent spitting up.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What should I do if a premature baby has poor gastrointestinal health?

In the process of premature birth, due to the incomplete development of various organs and the nervous system, a series of complications may occur in various systems. If there is currently gastrointestinal discomfort after premature birth, it still needs to be adjusted in many aspects. Firstly, during the feeding process, it is recommended to pay attention to the feeding scale of the formula, and it is also necessary to maintain the cleanliness of bottle feeding. If frequent diarrhea and other gastrointestinal conditions occur, some probiotics for the intestines can be applied for adjustment, or some antidiarrheal medications can be used for symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Preterm labor signs

Premature birth refers to delivery between 28 to 36 weeks plus 6 days of pregnancy. Due to the lower body weight and immature organ development of the fetus, premature birth can lead to decreased survival rates and increased morbidity in newborns. The signs of impending premature birth include the following aspects: First, the occurrence of regular contractions, which are the most common sign of premature birth. If intermittent lower abdominal pain occurs, it should be taken seriously, and fetal heart rate monitoring may be necessary for assessment. Second, the appearance of blood in the vaginal discharge often indicates that the fetal presenting part is descending, which is also a sign of premature birth. Third, a physical examination may reveal shortening of the cervical canal and dilation of the cervix, suggesting the possibility of premature birth. When these conditions occur, they should be taken seriously, and medication may be necessary for treatment. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What does it feel like when the cervix opens prematurely?

Under normal circumstances, if preterm labor is already confirmed and the cervix is fully dilated, it is generally considered inevitable and preparations for the active resuscitation of the newborn should be made. Typically, if the cervix is fully dilated due to preterm labor, regular abdominal pain may first occur along with discomfort in the lower abdomen, indicating strong uterine contractions. After the uterus contracts, this leads to continuous dilation of the cervix until it expands to ten centimeters. Once fully dilated, the next steps in treatment are carried out, closely monitoring the condition of the premature infant after birth and providing symptomatic medication if necessary.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Preterm birth refers to how many weeks?

Premature birth refers to a baby born after the pregnancy has reached 28 weeks but before completing 37 weeks. Most of these babies weigh less than 2500 grams at birth and have poorer adaptive abilities compared to full-term babies. They require special care. Feeding premature infants can be challenging. They generally need to be fed breast milk or formula every two to four hours. Start by feeding once or twice; if there is no vomiting for six to eight hours, continue feeding some milk. Also, position the baby's head to one side to prevent inhalation of vomit.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
45sec home-news-image

How to care for premature infants

The care of premature babies is very important. Since the physical resistance of premature babies is weaker than that of full-term infants, premature babies generally need to be placed in incubators to maintain body temperature. If an incubator is not available, methods such as using a hot water bottle for warmth can be employed, or putting cotton hats on the babies. During feeding, breastfeeding is an option. For very small babies who have poor sucking ability or uncoordinated swallowing functions, or for babies who are ill, the mother can express her milk, which can then be fed to the baby via a tube through the nose. Artificial feeding is also an option.