The topic I picked to discuss this week is preterm and low birth weight infants and the care

available to them. To clarify a low birth infant the infant must weigh less than five and a half
pounds at birth. Very low birth weight babies weight less than two pounds. Preterm infants are
born three weeks before the completion of 37 weeks gestation. Gestation refers to the time
period between fertilization and birth. Small for gestational age infants are infants whose birth
weight is below the normal range compared to the length of the pregnancy. These babies weigh
less than 90% of what a comparable gestational age infant weighs. Small for gestational age
babies can be full term or preterm in gestational age. A study conducted on small for age infants
showed a four times greater risk of death compared to a healthy weight infant. (Santrock, J.,
2013, p. 120). An increase in preterm birth can be caused by many factors. A few examples are,
the mother is 35 years old or older, multiple births, and inducing labor before the due date.
Induction before the due date occurs if medical technology shows an increase in the fetus
survival outside of the womb. Other preterm factors include increased substance abuse by the
mother, substances include tobacco and alcohol, and lastly increased stress. It is important to
note that in our world today the main reason for low birth weight infants is the due to the
mothers health and nutrition. (Santrock, J., 2013, p. 121).
Nurturing preterm infants was the most interesting part of the chapter for me. Two
interventions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are kangaroo care and massage
therapy. Kangaroo care models a mother kangaroo holding her baby close to her chest in a
pouch. In human form, the parent and baby have skin to skin contact with the infant. The infant
is in a diaper upright on his parents bare chest for two- three hours a day. This takes place for a
continuation of time in the early stages of infancy. The benefits of this care is bonding but also it
assists the infant with breathing and heartrate, which babies often times have trouble regulating.
Kangaroo care has been shown to regulate temperature along with the breathing and heartrate.
Preterm babies have also been shown to gain more weight than comparable infants that did not
receive kangaroo care. The book states that research conducted on kangaroo care has shown this
care to decrease the risk of infant death in low birth weight babies. Not only is kangaroo care
encouraged for low birth weight babies but for full term, healthy babies as well. This helps with
bonding. (Santrock, J., 2013, p. 123). An article that I read during research on this topic speaks
about the NICU and how to empower parents and their infants while under such care. Advanced
technology has increased the survival rate of infants born at an earlier age. Premature delivery
for whatever reason forces the infant to adjust to life outside of the womb before they are
physiologically ready. Life inside the womb provided complete support, which included
nourishment and comfort. The premature infant must deal with immature lungs- so support by
ventilation for oxygen supplementation is vital for survival in many preterm cases. The infant is
also at risk for musculoskeletal complications due to lack of muscle tone. The infant is unable to
stay in a flexed posture from the increased gravity and the non-confined space of life outside of
the womb. The NICU team provides positioning in the fetal position to model the womb with a
blanket nest which provides security and boundaries. The constant temperature in the incubator
also models the mothers womb. Overstimulation to the infant from sounds, light, and handling
up the chances of disrupting normal development for the infant. Careful handling and cluster
care provides less disruptions and overstimulation for the infant. Bonding is also vital for the
parents and infant. Providing technology to support life and individualized care for the infant, is

part of the NICU but they offer options to promote bonding for the infant and parent which
promotes health and development. Kangaroo care is one of those options. The skin to skin
contact is encouraged for family centered care. (Zimmerman, K., & Bauersachs, C. (2012, January
1)

Massage is also used to improve the health of preterm infants. Preterm infants are
usually placed in a temperature controlled incubator, which isolates them to a small covered area.
This creates a barrier for the parents to have hands on touching and holding of the infants
compared to the full term healthy infant. Massage has been used throughout the world in infant
care, the United States has as started implementing such care. This involves using a light, even
to moderate pressure through touch. (Santrock, J., 2013, p. 123). In an article that I read, it
explained infant massage with more detail. Infant massage therapists state that massage provides
both stimulation and relaxation for an infant. It benefits greatly with stimulation of the
respiratory system, circulatory system, digestion, and elimination. Preterm infants can benefit
from tactile and kinesthetic stimulation. This article also states that many low birth weight
infants fail to thrive in the first few months of life because the baby and parents are separated and
bonding has not been established. This often happens when the infant has to stay in the NICU.
Today parents are encouraged to stay with their infant for long periods of time and have hands on
care with their infant. Massage is greatly encouraged. Infant massage can be tailored to the
individual infants needs- which communicates love through touch. Infants not only benefit, but
the parents do also. The parents learn to unwind and relax as they are massaging their infant.
Parents over time begin to decipher their infants needs, feelings and moods. This article was
very informative in the benefits of massage in infants. Massage promotes earlier hospital
discharge of premature babies, aids in faster weight gain, improves muscle tone and motor skills,
strengthens the immune system, enhances neurological growth and development, stimulates
brain cells, influencing brain development, helps the baby have longer periods of quiet sleep,
raises the level of blood oxygen, and cause fewer instances of sleep apnea. Another few
examples of the benefits of infant massage include, improvement of sensory awareness, relief
from gas and colic, and my personal favorite, helps the infants cry less and smile more. Long
term benefits also accompany massage therapy in infants, it maintains a strong bond between a
parent and a child that builds a foundation for a loving, open communications between members
throughout their lives. (Moore, R. (2005, December 20).
I enjoyed this chapter and could have greatly influenced my mothering with some of the
tips I learned about infant massage. One of my children had colic, infant massage could have
helped with some of the symptoms of this which includes gas, irritability, and long bouts of
crying (me and him). We both would have been more relaxed and slept better. More smiles less
crying.
Reference List:
Santrock, J. (2013). Birth. In Children (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Moore, R. (2005, December 20). The Joy of Giving Infant Massage. International
Journal of Childbirth Education, 20(4), 34-37. Retrieved February 15, 2015, from

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.libproxy.canton.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
sid=0c68d631-6376-4a96-a64c-4328c3dd4110@sessionmgr4005&vid=3&hid=4108

Zimmerman, K., & Bauersachs, C. (2012). Empowering NICU Parents. International Journal Of
Childbirth Education, 27(1), 50-53. Retrieved February 15, 2015, from
http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.libproxy.canton.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
sid=90b1f018-749c-47ce-a23abaee1ade659e@sessionmgr4005&vid=37&hid=4108

Chapa, H. O., & Sbarra, M. A. (2010). The Paucity of Information on Adhesions After Cesarean
Delivery. Journal Of Gynecologic Surgery, 26(4), 255-260. doi:10.1089/gyn.2009.0077
Albright, C., & Rouse, D. (2011, July 11). Retrieved February 15, 2015, from
http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.libproxy.canton.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
sid=f1c2c539-e50a-4389-80b7-de5db1112fee@sessionmgr4001&vid=2&hid=4108