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Not-So-Tiny Anxiety

Overcoming the Fear of Caring for Your Preemie

By Katherine Bontrager

Dr. Bryan Burke, an associate professor of general pediatrics and neonatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital, says that parents should realize that their fear is natural. "I think it's helpful for parents to realize that their fear, far from being an indication of their incompetence, is rather a sign of the love they have for their child and the good sense to know that they need to learn the best ways to care for their baby," he says.

Smith says parents can help alleviate fears of caring for a premature infant at home by becoming actively involved in their baby's care in the NICU. "Having a premature baby puts parents in a state of crisis and loss of control," she says. "It's easy for parents to step aside while the healthcare team assumes full responsibility of their baby's care. But studies have shown that parents of premature babies who become actively involved in their baby's care have more self confidence, decreased stress and anxiety and [their babies have] a decreased length of stay [in the hospital]."

Becoming familiar with and learning how to appropriately respond to their premature baby's behaviors are all ways parents can take an active role in their baby's care, Smith says.

Smith suggests a number of activities parents can assume from the time their baby is admitted into the NICU and throughout their hospitalization. Regardless of how small or sickly the baby may be, parents can participate in hands-on care to promote early parent-infant bonding. Great bonding activities include kangaro care, allowing the newborn to nuzzle at the breast even before the baby is "ready" to breastfeed, engaging in infant massage, simply touching the child, reading, talking, bathing, changing diapers and additional traditional parenting activities.

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Welcome Home, Little One: Bringing Your Preemie Home
• The Kangaroo Care Method: Safe, Gentle Bonding Benefits Preemies
• Preemie Problems: Learn What to Expect and
  How to Cope
• Talk about it!

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