Healthy Living
PREEMIE HEALTH
Preemie Health
As the parent of a premature baby, you will have many questions and concerns. Your baby's healthcare team wants to support you during this time. Know that you are an integral part of the team caring for your baby.

The staff of the Meriter Hospital Newborn Intensive Care Unit has developed the following resource because we believe that informed parents can better care for their newborns. If you have any questions while reading this information, please talk with a member of your baby's care team. They are there to support you.

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Meriter's Newborn Intensive Care Unit
Learn about the services and staff of the Meriter NICU.

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Carepages
Parenting Your Premature Baby
Anticipating the Birth of a Premature Infant
An introduction to the topic, and an overview of this site.
Introduction to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Learn about the people, equipment and abbreviations you will encounter.
Chances of Survival and Disability
Research the chances for survival and disability.
Common Problems and Diseases
This section covers 21 problems and diseases most frequently encountered.
Commonly Used Medications
Find out what your baby's medications are being used to treat.
Understanding and Parenting Your Preemie
Review how you and your baby's care team can assist your baby.
Emotional Support
Discover ways to cope during this difficult time.
Things to Know Before Discharge
Learn when your baby is ready to go home, and about car seat safety.
Things to Know After Discharge
This section covers illness, sleeping, bathing, feeding and more.
Later Problems of Former Preemies
Review the problems you may encounter as your child grows.
Other Topics
Learn ways to support your baby's siblings, and how family and friends can support you.
Resources for Parents
A listing of useful Web sites, organizations and publications.
References
A listing of all references used in developing this Web resource.
About the Authors and Review Board
A summary of this Web resource's authors and review board.
For information on sick term babies or babies with problems in development (malformations), please visit Sick Newborn Health.

This Web section is made possible through grants from The Meriter Foundation, The Perinatal Foundation (of Wisconsin), and Friends of Meriter.

This is an information site only. It does not answer specific medical or health care questions about your child or infant. You should consult your primary health care provider or physician for advice regarding your child's care or condition or with any of your specific questions about such care or condition.