Special care for low birth weight babies

First and foremost the babies breathing must not only be established but also well maintained. Secondly, his body heat has got to be maintained. Thirdly, he must be adequately fed. Fourthly, he must be protected against infection. Lastly, any kind of physical tiredness should not be inflicted on him. It is customary for a senior obstetrician and a child specialist to be present in the labour room when such a delivery is anticipated. It is a practice to clamp the low-birth-weight baby’s cord fairly late and to squeeze it to be the baby’s side before it is ligated. This gives the baby a good deal of extra iron stores. Once the doctors are convinced that he is breathing properly and fluid and blood have been sucked out of his throat and mouth, he is immediately removed into a pre warmed incubator in which his body heat can be preserved; he can rest without external disturbance and against infection. Most Centers nurse the incubator babies without clothes so that it is easy to notice development of jaundice, cyanosis etc. Visitors are not allowed. His mother is only permitted to come and touch him. He is not given a bath until he is at least 2 kg in weight. As for feeding, breast-feeding should be the choice.