It is every mother's hope to carry a baby to full term and deliver it in the healthiest and most optimal conditions. Sometimes, however, labor sets in or other complications occur before your due date. If this happens at 36 weeks, the delivery is referred to as a late preterm. A late preterm pregnancy also falls in the category of near-term pregnancies. These are deliveries of infants close to but before the estimated full term period (39-42 weeks). The term late preterm pregnancy specifically refers to infants born between 34 and 36 weeks.

Challenges for Delivering a Late Preterm Baby

A baby born at 36 weeks may look and weigh the same as a full term baby, but they are not yet mature in their overall development. As such, they may have to deal with some physiological challenges as they develop. Be advised that this information is meant to serve as a guideline. You should seek professional advice from a doctor.

• Feeding issues and low blood sugar: At 36 weeks, your baby may not be able to latch, suck and breathe at the same time. This may lead to poor feeding habits. These babies also feed at a very slow pace. This poor feeding can consequently lead to a drop in glucose levels.

• Sleeping issues: Your baby may have difficulties sleeping and have a highly irregular sleep pattern. Complications such as low blood sugar and jaundice can also make your baby lethargic, causing them to sleep for longer hours.

• Breathing difficulties: Breathing difficulties at this age may be occasioned by premature lungs. Premature lungs lack the ability to secrete surfactants which prevent the cells from sticking together. A baby born at 36 weeks may also suffer from apnea. This happens when the baby suddenly stops breathing momentarily. Apnea can be caused by an underdeveloped brain, such that your baby forgets to breathe.

• Body temperature instability: Babies born at 36 weeks are susceptible to temperature irregularities. This happens because of the prematurity of the fat tissues that are necessary for heat generation and retention.
  
  

• Jaundice: Jaundice is identified by yellowing of the eyes or skin. This condition is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a yellow substance formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. An underdeveloped liver is usually the culprit in the development of jaundice in infants at this age.

• Infections: A baby born at 35 weeks or 36 weeks has an immature immune system. This makes them more susceptible to infections. Poor feeding can also exacerbate the situation as babies develop their much-needed immunity from breast milk.

How to Care for Your Preterm Baby at Home

The good news is, in the absence of complications, most babies born at 36 weeks can still be effectively cared for at home. Here are some helpful tips to prepare you for this task. Again, please note that the following information is just for reference. For professional guidance please visit a doctor.

1. Keep your baby warm

It is important to keep your home at an even, warm temperature.

• Clothe your baby warmly: As a guideline, ensure your baby has at least one more layer of clothing than you have.

• Cover your baby's head with a knit hat: The head is a critical heat loss region in the body. Keeping the head covered can assist babies in keeping their temperature in check.

• Skin to skin contact: This can regulate your baby's temperature, heart, ate and breathing. For this to work effectively, undress your baby down to the diapers, undress all the way to your waist and hold your baby against your chest. You can also use a blanket to keep warm.

2. Feed your baby

• Small feedings: Preterm babies can only have small amounts of food at a time. Ensure that your baby has at least eight feedings in a 24-hour period. Sometimes, these babies can sleep longer than full-term babies and have no apparent feeding cues. Always ensure you wake your baby when it is time to feed.

• Feeding tube: In some instances feeding your preterm baby may necessitate the need for a feeding tube. This can be quite overwhelming for the new parents. However, it is completely safe. With little practice, you can learn to make this process seamless and with minimal discomfort to your baby.

• Making use of a breast pump: Pump your breast milk as often as possible. This can increase your overall milk supply. It is also useful in case your baby has latching problems, to ensure they do not get overworked when trying to breastfeed.

3. Protect your baby from germs

It is absolutely critical that you protect your baby from possible infections. Set some ground rules for visitors coming to see the baby. This may seem harsh but it is for the overall benefit of your child. Some helpful tips include:

• Make everyone wash their hands before they hold your baby.

• If someone is ill, don't allow them near your baby.

• Do not allow people to kiss your baby, especially not on the mouth. A mouth can have up to six billion bacteria, some of which can be very harmful.

• Avoid crowded areas

4. Learn infant CPR

This could actually save your baby's life in the event that they develop serious breathing complications. In some instances, hospitals may insist on this as a prerequisite before your baby is discharged.

5. Call doctors or nurses

As a parent of a preterm baby, it is important to closely monitor your child at home and call your doctor if you notice any of these warning signs:

• Breathing complications

• Increased jaundice

• Has trouble feeding

• Your baby is not adding on weight (at least eight ounces after the first week)

• Has a too high (over 380C) or too low temperature (less than 360C)

Although the situation may seem overwhelming at first, over 90% of preterm babies have no long-term health effects. Paying extra attention and care in the early days will essentially make their development much easier. Please remember that this content is intended only as a guide. It is always prudent to seek advice and clarifications from doctors and other health professionals.