Contents:
- Medical Video: Low Birth Weight in Infants: Dr. Soliman, CHOC Children's
- Health effects of babies with low birth weight
- Efforts can be made in caring for babies with low birth weight
- 1. Give breast milk
- 2. Contact between skin
- 3. Accompany the baby to sleep
- 4. Monitor baby's health
- 5. Avoid transmission of infectious diseases
- 6. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
Medical Video: Low Birth Weight in Infants: Dr. Soliman, CHOC Children's
Babies who have a low birth weight are generally caused by premature birth conditions, developmental factors in the womb, or even born with a smaller body due to genetics. Whatever the cause, low birth weight babies may have a weaker immune system and have a higher risk of experiencing death while still a baby. Therefore, intensive care is needed for the health of low birth weight babies.
Health effects of babies with low birth weight
If the baby has womb health problems and is born prematurely with a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg, then the baby will be at risk of experiencing the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing due to interference with the respiratory tract
- More susceptible to infectious diseases
- Difficulty maintaining body temperature to keep warm
- Low blood sugar levels
The condition of LBW and premature birth are the main causes of death in infants. LBW can also increase the risk of developmental disorders such as emotional disorders and disorders in maintaining body weight so that it is more easily obese. When adulthood, someone with a history of low birth weight also tends to be more prone to hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.
Efforts can be made in caring for babies with low birth weight
To minimize the risk of developmental disorders and health problems in LBW there is an intensive care method known as the term Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). This method aims to bring the baby closer to the mother and monitor the baby's condition. The following are some ways to treat LBW according to the KMC method:
1. Give breast milk
Breast milk is very important for babies with low birth weight and breastfeeding is the best way to meet the nutritional needs of babies with low birth weight. Giving ASI should be done as often as possible, for example, every four to five hours. Some babies with low birth weight also need mineral supplements and vitamin D in addition to breastfeeding, but need to be consulted with the midwife or pediatrician first to monitor the nutritional status of the baby.
2. Contact between skin
Babies born with low birth weights tend to have difficulty maintaining body temperature so that their bodies tend to have cold temperatures. This is because babies with low birth weight have a thin layer of fat so that it easily causes hypothermia. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers make contact with babies as often as possible by carrying babies using cloth forming like a kangaroo pocket. This makes it easy to monitor changes in baby's health and breastfeeding.
3. Accompany the baby to sleep
It should be done in the first month of the baby's age. Accompanying baby sleep can be done by holding or placing the baby next to the mother. Babies with low birth weight should also be carried or brought near to the baby's mother.
4. Monitor baby's health
Monitor your baby regularly by paying attention to the baby's skin surface, breathing and body temperature. The following symptoms to watch out for in low birth weight babies and immediately consult a doctor:
- symptoms of jaundice: there is a change in color to yellow on the skin and eyes
- shortness of breath or irregular breathing
- fever
- baby looks limp and does not want to breastfeed
5. Avoid transmission of infectious diseases
Transmission of diseases such as flu, diarrhea, and pneumonia are the infections that are most often experienced by infants and the impact will be more severe in infants with low birth weight. Prevention efforts can be carried out by maintaining personal hygiene, cleanliness of the home environment, and cleaning equipment for babies. Special diseases that can be transmitted through droplet air such as tuberculosis and influenza, keep your baby away and minimize contact with patients, because the surface of objects and air contaminated with germs will be very easy to transmit the disease to the baby.
6. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke is a dangerous exposure to babies. The impact on the baby is asthma and respiratory and ear infections. Even in low birth weight babies can cause sudden death syndrome. Therefore, babies need to be avoided from cigarette smoke as much as possible.
The most important thing in treating LBW is the fulfillment of nutrition with breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby. This aims to make it easier for mothers to monitor changes in infants and easier to fulfill nutrition. LBW also needs physical, psychological, and medical support in maintaining health and overcoming health problems that may be experienced.
READ ALSO:
- How to package a baby correctly?
- Vomiting in Infants and Toddlers: Which is Normal, Which Is Harmful
- 6 Causes of Low Birth Weight Babies
