Sobre el bebé

Las mamás de bebés prematuros describen su experiencia de bombearse el pecho para proveer leche para sus bebés, y los papás hablan de maneras en que apoyan a la mamá en este proceso.

La Dra. Barbara Wesley, especialista en embarazos de alto riesgo, habla sobre la importancia de la leche materna para los bebés prematuros y los pasos que las mamás deben seguir para poder darle esta nutrición tan importante a sus bebés.

La Dra. Sue Hall describe lo que es la TPN y sus beneficios.

La Dra. Sue Hall explica por qué se dejan de alimentar con leche los bebés.

5 pasos para ayudarla a amamantar es un recurso que ayudará a que las mamás amamanten a su bebé. © March of Dimes

¿Cómo debe de cargar a su bebé cuando lo amamanta? es un recurso que contiene ilustraciones de diferentes posiciones para el bebé mientras está amamantando. © March of Dimes

Breastmilk is best for your baby. Here is information on nursing your baby in the NICU and guidelines for pumping and storing milk.

Until now, your baby has been cared for in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). You've started breastfeeding. And you are now ready to move on to full breastfeeding at home. This sheet can answer some of your questions about making this transition.

For a time, healthcare staff will care for your baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There are several ways to feed babies while they're in the NICU. Here's what you need to know.

Parents choose to bottle-feed babies for many reasons. This sheet can help answer some of your questions about feeding your preemie with formula.

When your baby is in the NICU, your main concern is getting them healthy and home. That means feeding your baby and having them gain weight. But feeding babies in the NICU is quite different from feeding healthy babies. Here's what you need to know.

La alimentación en la UNCI es un recurso que contiene información sobre las diferentes maneras de alimentar al bebé mientras se encuentra en la UNCI. © March of Dimes

Alimentando al bebé en casa es un recurso informativo sobre la manera de alimentar al bebé una vez que esté en casa, esto incluye amamantar, extracción manual, biberón y si el bebé regurgita o escupe la comida. © March of Dimes

Cada padre ve con ilusión la llegada del día cuando su bebé será dado de alta de la NICU, pero tener al bebé en casa representa nuevos retos para ti. Entre mejor preparado estés mentalmente, más fácil será lograrlo. Esta lista de recursos presenta realidades que tal vez tengas una vez que llegue tu bebé a casa, y cómo prepararte cuando lo den de alta. © TWN

Cuidado del bebé en el hogar es un recurso para los padres que contiene pensamientos y sentimientos comunes que tienen después de salir de la UNCI. © March of Dimes

Este folleto les agradece a la familia y amigos por su amor y apoyo mientras su bebé estaba en la NICU. Ahora que la familia va a casa, van a necesitar la continuación de esa ayuda y apoyo. Los doctores y enfermeras han proporcionado información sobre la manera de mantener al bebé seguro, feliz y saludable, y se deben seguir tomando las precauciones por un tiempo. © NICU Parent Network: Hand to Hold

El folleto informativo sobre cómo llevar a tu bebé a casa con equipo médico fue diseñado para ayudar a las familias a prepararse para la llegada del bebé a casa con equipo médico al salir de la UCIN.© March of Dimes

Preparándose para la transición del bebé de la UNCI a casa es un recurso que contiene información que ayuda a que se preparen las familias para llevar al bebé de la UNCI a casa, incluyendo una lista de control. © March of Dimes

Cuidado diario es un recurso que contiene información para las familias sobre el cuidado diario del bebé en casa después de la UNCI, incluyendo el llanto e irritación del bebé, el lavado de manos, las visitas de amigos y familia y el cuidado del niño. © March of Dimes

Follow these special safety instructions to keep your preemie safe and healthy at home.

Your preemie's immune system needs time to develop. During this time, germs that don't make you sick at all could make the baby very sick. So you need to give your baby extra protection.

Your baby is finally ready to come home. Turn your nervous energy into positive action. Make a checklist for what you and your baby need before leaving the hospital so that you can create a safe home environment. Here's a list of items to get you started.

El PDA, patent ductus arteriosus, es una de las condiciones cardíacas más comunes en los bebés prematuros. Aprende cómo tratan en la NICU ésta y otros problemas cardíacos.

Los bebés que están en la NICU normalmente tienen problemas respiratorios. El personal de la NICU explica el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria (RDS) y otros problemas pulmonares, como también los medicamentos y dispositivos que utilizan para tratarlos.

El Dr. Vedang Londhe explica lo que es NEC o enterocolitis necrotizante.

La Dra. Sue Hall explica las causas y tratamientos de un bebé que pasa por el proceso de abstinencia.

El Dr. Mitchell Goldstein explica lo que causa la ictericia de piel y como tratarla.

El Dr. Goldstein, y las Dras. Walker y Hall hablan sobre problemas comunes de vista en los bebés prematuros, cómo se pueden evitar y posiblemente tratar.

Aprende cómo prepararte para una cirugía, en caso de que tu bebé la necesite. Incluye información sobre traslados en el hospital, el control del dolor, enfrentar la situación, etc.

El Dr. Vedang Londhe explica qué es la apnea y sus tratamientos actuales.

El Dr. Vedang Londhe define BPD y explica la manera en que los neonatólogos están reduciendo el riesgo de desarrollar esta enfermedad.

La Dra. Sue Hall explica qué es GERD, algo común en los bebés prematuros.

El Dr. Mitchell Goldstein explica las precauciones tomadas en los bebés con riesgo de desarrollar hipolgicemia.

El Dr. Vedang Londhe explica qué es IVH y por qué pueda tener el bebé riesgo de desarrollarla.

La Dra. Valencia Walker define lo que es PDA y habla sobre algunos tratamientos comunes.

Cuidando de su bebé con el síndrome de abstinencia es una página informativa que proporciona apoyo para las familias que tienen un bebé con SAN (síndrome de abstinencia neonatal). © March of Dimes

Cuando su bebé tiene una condición de salud seria es un recurso que contiene información para las familias con un bebé que necesita cirugía, tiene un síndrome o un defecto de nacimiento, o que ha nacido prematuramente. © March of Dimes

Preparándose para la atención médica de su bebé después de la UNCI es un recurso que contiene información para que las familias se puedan preparar para el cuidado médico del bebé, después de haber sido dado de alta. © March of Dimes

El cuidado médico de su bebé después de la UNCI es un recurso informativo para las familias sobre la atención médica del bebé al salir de la UNCI, incluyendo citas con profesionales médicos, vacunas, primeras intervenciones y logros del desarrollo. © March of Dimes

Este defecto congénito en la columna vertebral y en la médula espinal ocurre en el principio del embarazo. Los huesos de la columna vertebral no se forman por completo alrededor de la médula espinal. Esto crea una separación donde los nervios salen de la columna. En casos graves, un saco que contiene parte de la médula espinal sale por la piel de la espalda.

Condiciones comunes de salud tratadas en la UNCI es un recurso informativo sobre tratamientos de condiciones de salud que es posible que el bebé reciba mientras se encuentra en la UNCI. © March of Dimes

Esta es una afección con la que nace un bebé. Es causada por un "paquete" adicional de información genética llamado "cromosoma", dentro de las células del cuerpo. El síndrome de Down afecta el cuerpo y el cerebro.

Esta es una protuberancia gomosa que sobresale en la piel. Es posible que esté presente al momento de nacer, o puede formarse poco después del nacimiento del bebé. Puede ser de color rojo brillante o violáceo, y llegar a ser muy grande. A menudo se desarrollan hemangiomas en la cara o el cuello, pero también se forman en otros lugares.

Cuando un bebé está en el vientre materno, no utiliza sus propios pulmones. El oxígeno de su sangre proviene de su madre. Debido a esto, un bebé nonato tiene un vaso sanguíneo especial llamado "conducto arterioso". Este conecta la aorta y la arteria pulmonar del bebé. Este vaso debería cerrarse poco después del nacimiento. Sin embargo, con esta afección, permanece abierto. Esto puede causar problemas de salud graves.

BPD is a disease in which a baby has breathing problems.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a set of signs that can occur in a baby. It happens when a baby is exposed to drugs in the womb before birth. The baby then goes through drug withdrawal after birth.

Patent ductus arteriosis is a common congenital heart defect. It often goes away on its own. In some cases, a baby needs medicine to help it close. Surgery is an option in other cases.

Babies who are born too early (premature) often have health problems, such as apnea. Apnea is when a baby stops breathing for a bit of time (more than 15 seconds). The baby may also have a slowed heart rate and a drop in oxygen in the blood.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a lung disorder that causes breathing problems in preterm, low-birthweight babies who need breathing assistance. Over time, the damaged lungs can heal, as the baby grows new lung tissue. Read on to learn more.

IVH is a serious condition caused by bleeding (hemorrhage) in the ventricles in the days after birth

When cerebrospinal fluid backs up into the brain, it's called hydrocephalus. Learn about the procedures used to treat this condition in newborns.

Omphalocele and gastroschisis are types of birth defects. They can occur in newborns. They happen when the body structures that are meant to hold the bowel (intestines) inside the belly (abdomen) do not form in the right way during the early weeks of pregnancy.

The esophagus (food pipe) and trachea (windpipe) are 2 separate tubes. In some babies, these tubes don't form the right way during pregnancy. This can lead to tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia.

Periventricular leukomalacia is softening of brain tissue near the ventricles.

A look at the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Pulmonary stenosis occurs when the pulmonary valve doesn't open all the way and blood flow to the lungs is blocked.

Aortic stenosis is when the aortic valve doesn't open all the way. reducing blood flow from the heart out to the body. It is usually a congenital heart defect.

An atrial septal defect is a hole in the dividing wall (atrial septum) between the heart's 2 upper chambers (atria). It may close on its own as your child grows. In some cases, surgical repair is needed.

A ventricular septal defect is a hole between the 2 lower heart chambers (ventricles). This is a heart defect a person is born with (congenital). It can lead to congestive heart failure.

An AV canal defect is a large hole in the center of the heart. This heart defect can usually be treated with surgery.

Tetralogy of fallot is a congenital heart defect involving 4 different heart defects. Surgery can help treat this condition.

Detailed information on surgery for your child's coarctation of the aorta.

The surgery to repair TGA is known as an arterial switch operation. It's done by a pediatric heart surgeon. The surgery lasts about 4 to 6 hours.

With hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart didn't develop correctly. Surgery is needed to repair this congenital heart defect. Read on to learn more.

Tricuspid valve atresia, the tricuspid valve is absent or blocked off. This affects how oxygen-rich blood is delivered to the body.

TOF is a serious heart defect, but it can be repaired with surgery. The surgery may be done when your child is 3 to 6 months old. Or it may be done when your child is 1 to 2 years old.

Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta. It can lead to worsening heart function over time, but effective treatments are available.

"TGA is a heart problem that involves the two main blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. These are called the ""great arteries."""

A PDA is a heart defect affecting 2 arteries. A PDA may close on its own, without treatment. If it does not, your child may be treated with medicine, a heart procedure, or surgery.

Sometimes a baby is born with a heart problem. This is known as a congenital heart defect. The baby may seem healthy and fine. But the defect could cause a serious threat to his or her life. A test called pulse oximetry can help find if there is a problem before a baby goes home from the hospital. This can help a baby get early treatment if needed.

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. Congenital hypothyroidism is when the disorder is present in a baby at birth. If not treated, it can lead to serious health problems.

Coarctation of the aorta is an abnormal narrowing of the aorta. Transcatheter repair is a type of procedure that can help restore normal blood flow through the aorta.

Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a rare heart malformation. The problem is present from birth (congenital).

Detailed information about cardiac catheterization for coarctation of the aorta in a child.

Pulse oximetry is a simple, painless, and quick test. It can't screen for all heart defects. But it may be able to find seven types known as critical congenital heart defects.

Chronic lung disease is the general term for long-term breathing problems in premature babies. It's also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Here's what you need ot know about this condition.

CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a herpes virus. It is very common. It affects people of all ages and in all parts of the U.S. In most cases CMV causes mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can cause serious problems in an unborn baby or newborn.

A baby with hydrocephalus has extra fluid around the brain. This fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Too much CSF can increase the pressure in your baby's head. This causes the bones in your baby's skull to expand and separate. The baby's head may look larger than normal.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common problem in premature babies. It causes babies to need extra oxygen and help with breathing.

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is a problem that occurs in some newborns. It happens during the first few days of life. This condition used to be called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

Hydrops fetalis is severe swelling (edema) in an unborn baby or a newborn baby. It is a life-threatening problem.

Hyperbilirubinemia happens when there is too much bilirubin in your baby's blood. Bilirubin is made by the breakdown of red blood cells. It's hard for babies to get rid of bilirubin. It can build up in their blood, tissues, and fluids.

Hypocalcemia is when a person doesn't have enough calcium in the blood. In babies, it's called neonatal hypocalcemia. Your baby can get it at different times and from different causes.

Low birth weight is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams). An average newborn usually weighs about 8 pounds. A low-birth-weight baby may be healthy even though he or she is small. But a low-birth-weight baby can also have many serious health problems.

Large for gestational age is used to describe newborn babies who weigh more than the usual amount for the number of weeks of pregnancy. Babies are called large for gestational age if they weigh more than 9 in 10 babies of the same gestational age.

Meconium aspiration happens when a newborn breathes in a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds the baby in the womb. Meconium is the baby's first stool, or poop, which is sticky, thick, and dark green. It is typically passed in the womb during early pregnancy and again in the first few days after birth.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome is what happens when babies are exposed to drugs in the uterus before birth. Babies can then go through drug withdrawal after birth.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the large intestine (colon) gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and sometimes kills the tissue in your baby's colon.

The normal length of pregnancy is 37 to 41 weeks. Postmaturity is a word used to describe babies born after 42 weeks. Very few babies are born at 42 weeks or later. Other terms often used to describe these late births include post-term, postmaturity, prolonged pregnancy, and post-dates pregnancy.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) happens in newborn babies. It occurs when a newborn's circulation continues to flow as it did while in the uterus. When this happens, too much blood flow bypasses the baby's lungs. This is sometimes called persistent fetal circulation.

A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature or born too early. The number of premature births in the U.S. is rising. Twins and other multiples are more likely to be premature than single birth babies.

Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye problem that happens to premature babies. The retina lines the back of the eye. It receives light as it comes through the pupil. From there, the optic nerve sends signals to the brain. Retinopathy of prematurity is a problem of the blood vessels of the retina.

Small for gestational age is a term used to describe babies that are smaller than normal for the number of weeks of pregnancy. These babies have birth weight below the 10th percentile. This means they are smaller than many other babies of the same gestational age.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year old. SIDS is sometimes called crib death because the death may happen when a baby is sleeping in a crib. It's one of the leading causes of death in babies from ages 1 month to 1 year. Read on to learn more.

Spina bifida is a birth defect that causes problems with the spine, spinal cord, and the surrounding nerves.

Thrombocytopenia means that a newborn baby has too few platelets in their blood. Platelets are blood cells that help the blood clot. They are made in the bone marrow.

Transient tachypnea of the newborn is a mild breathing problem. It affects babies during the first hours of life. Transient means it is short-lived. Tachypnea means fast breathing rate. The problem often goes away on its own in about 3 days.

Very low birth weight is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces. It is very rare that babies are born this tiny. Only about 1 in 100 babies born in the U.S. are very low birth weight.

Apnea is a term that means breathing has stopped for more than 20 seconds. It can happen in full-term babies, but it is more common in premature babies. The more premature the baby, the greater the chances that apnea will occur.

Birth defects may be caused by inherited (genetic) problems or by environmental things such as exposure to certain toxic substances during pregnancy. Some birth defects can be linked to a direct cause. Other reasons are not as clear.

Imperforate anus is a problem that your child is born with. It happens when your child has a blocked or missing anus.

La Dra. Jeanette Whitney habla sobre los beneficios de practicar la técnica de canguro con tu bebé.

La Dra. Jeanette Whitney explica la importancia de reconocer las claves visuales del bebé, como cuando llora.

La Dra. Erin Hamilton Spence enfatiza la importancia del sueño para el desarrollo del cerebro del bebé.

Llegando a conocer a su bebé es un recurso que ayuda a que las familias capten las señales de su bebé cuando están listos a interactuar, sus horarios y la manera de determinar la edad de su bebé, si nació prematuramente. © March of Dimes

Tocando y cargando a su bebé, es un recurso que contiene información para las familias sobre el método canguro, el contacto suave y el contacto pasivo. © March of Dimes

Premature babies especially need a supportive environment to help them continue to mature and develop as they would in their mother's womb.

El Dr. Vedang Londhe explica qué es una máquina de CPAP y cómo se utiliza en la NICU.

El Dr. Vedang Londhe explica la importancia de las pruebas de detección para los recién nacidos.

Con este video aprenderás como se pueden beneficiar los bebés prematuros y de bajo peso al nacer si son vacunados regularmente y cuándo deben aplicarse las vacunas.

La Dra. Susan Sward explica el propósito de una transfusión de sangre y por qué la pueda necesitar el bebé.

Horario de vacunas es un recurso que contiene el horario de vacunas para el niño hasta la edad de 6 años. La tabla se basa en información proporcionada por el CDC (Centros de Control de Enfermedades) © March of Dimes

Con este video aprenderás sobre la manera en que un anticuerpo preventivo puede proteger a los recién nacidos y niños pequeños contra el VRS, y sobre la importancia de las vacunas.

Pruebas en la UNCI es un recurso con descripciones de pruebas que es posible que le hagan al bebé mientras está en la UNCI. © March of Dimes

Doctors will carefully watch your baby's blood sugar level in the neonatal intensive care unit. If your baby's blood sugar is too high or too low, treatment will bring it back under control.

Here is detailed information about the different equipment you may find in the NICU.

Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It comes from a yellow substance called bilirubin. Here is information about phototherapy as a treatment for your newborn's jaundice.

Many babies have mild anemia within a few months after birth. These cases don't need treatment. But your baby's anemia is more severe. It must be treated to bring the red blood cell count back up.

Aortic stenosis is when the aortic valve doesn't open all the way. This affects how much blood can flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Treatments include balloon valvuloplasty or surgery to repair or replace the valve.

ASD repair can be done with either cardiac catheterization or with open heart surgery. Your child's cardiologist or surgeon will discuss the best treatment for your child with you.

Your child has a heart problem that includes a hypoplastic ventricle. This means that one of the ventricles is either too small or is absent. The most common treatment for this problem is heart surgery. This is often done in 3 stages. This sheet explains what is done during the second stage (stage II). The surgery can help relieve your child's symptoms.

Your child has a defect in the heart called a hypoplastic ventricle. This means that 1 of the ventricles is either too small or absent. The most common treatment is heart surgery. It is often done in 3 stages. The surgery does not fully repair the heart problem. But it can relieve symptoms. And it can increase your child's chances to live a more normal life.

The most common treatment for hypoplastic ventricle is heart surgery. This is often done in 3 stages. This sheet helps you understand the surgery that is done during stage I.

Coarctation of the aorta is an abnormal narrowing of the aorta. Transcatheter repair is a type of procedure that can help restore normal blood flow through the aorta.

NICUs are equipped with complex machines and devices to monitor nearly every system of a baby's body--temperature, heart rate, breathing, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and blood pressure.

Because most babies in the NICU are too small or sick to take milk feedings, medicines and fluids are often given through their veins or arteries.

Babies in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) undergo regular testing so they get the important care they need. Here are several common lab tests. Ask your baby's healthcare provider about them.

Con este video vas a entender cómo va desarrollando tu bebé prematuro sus sentidos del olfato, oído, tacto y visión conforme crece.

Este video ayuda a que reconozcas las señales que te da tu bebé cuando experimenta estrés.

Con este video vas a poder identificar las señales que muestran que tu bebé está cómodo y contento.

En este video escucharás los retos que otros padres tuvieron cuando su bebé estuvo en la UCIN.

Con este video verás la importancia del papel que tienes para tu bebé mientras se encuentra en la UCIN.

Con este video aprenderás las estrategias que utilizan en la UCIN para ayudar a que tu bebé se sienta cómodo.

Mis datos personales es una versión abreviada del folleto Bebé, que tiene espacio para que la familia llene la información sobre el bebé, incluyendo la fecha de nacimiento, información familiar y su estancia en la UNCI. © March of Dimes

Premature babies are at an even higher risk of infection than term babies. This is because babies get antibodies (infection-fighting substances) from the mother when they are in the womb. Preemies don't receive several weeks of antibodies due to being born early.

NICU stands for neonatal intensive care unit. Your baby is getting special care. Below are words that you will hear used in the NICU.

RDS is a breathing problem common in premature infants. Many babies born at under 34 to 36 weeks gestational age have some RDS. Your baby may be cared for in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) or in another part of the hospital.

Premature babies are at risk of ROP. This is a problem that can affect eyesight. ROP is the growth of abnormal blood vessels on the retina (lining of the back of the eye). In severe cases, the blood vessels can detach the retina from the back of the eye.

Meconium is the sticky stool in the intestine at birth. When it gets into a baby's lungs, the airways in the lungs become swollen. Here's what you need to know.

In the lungs, air travels through branching airways called bronchial tubes. These end in tiny sacs called alveoli. Sometimes alveoli rupture (break). This causes air to leak into the space between the lungs and the chest wall. These air leaks cause problems with breathing and can lead to lung damage.

NEC is a serious health problem. It occurs when a part of the baby's bowel (intestine) becomes damaged. NEC is more common in premature infants because the bowel is not yet mature.

Here are images that show the steps for placing an NG tube for your baby.

Here are images that show the steps for feeing your baby with an NG tube.

Each newborn baby is carefully checked at birth for signs of problems or complications.

In the NICU, the staff takes care of your premature baby's medical needs. But your presence is just as important. Read on to learn more.

If your baby has BPD, they will be cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Severe cases of BPD can need a long stay in the hospital. Your baby may still need treatment after going home. This sheet can help you know what to expect when your baby is ready to leave the NICU.

Premature and low-birth-weight babies may be too immature to regulate their own temperature, even in a warm environment. Read on to learn how to safely keep them warm.