First, early detection of health disorders. It is essential for parents to actively consult with doctors to find and mitigate all obstacles faced by the child from an early age. Early mitigation of insufficient nutrition is crucial for optimum brain development.
Second, strengthening immunity to minimize the occurrence of health disorders.
Third, finding early signs of potential in the child. Pay attention to their habits and interests, give them the opportunity to explore and be creative.
Fourth, developing their confidence. All children are vulnerable to lack of self-confidence, especially preemies, because they are often starkly different from others their age. How do we do that? By giving them affection; motivating them to try new things; praising their efforts and successes, no matter how small – and by refraining from giving them negative labels and comparing them with other children.
Fifth, modify their activities and therapies as needed. Prematurely-born children come with various obstacles that force parents to think creatively to maintain the child’s need for exploration, and develop to their potential to the maximum. This include integrative sensory therapy, which allows them to focus, concentrate, and learn better.
Read: ECHO, a solution for limited cancer specialist medical workers
Sixth, maintain the mental and emotional stability and quality of the parents. No matter what type of stimulation is given to the child, it is all useless if the parents cannot maintain their own mental and emotional sanity.
True Example
Parents of all ages face multiple psychological challenges through the ages: mental unreadiness, postpartum emotion, nursing challenges, lack of self-confidence, exhaustion, financial problems, family problems, lack of support from the spouse, stigma concerning premature babies – and naturally, the need to balance care of the preemie with that of their “normal” siblings, if any, so that no child is neglected or left behind. “This is why parents must first be able to manage their own emotional and mental health – to ensure that the child remains in a safe and comforting relationship with their parents and siblings, if any. This is an important reference when they are implementing the six steps, especially the first and second ones,” Irma said.
At the same event, Desi Fatwa, mother of preemie Benazir Shahnaz Alqori, was also present to share their experience. Born with a birth weight of 529 grams after a mere 25 weeks of pregnancy, Shahnaz had to spend the first three months of her life in the ICU. Now, she is a healthy, happy 9th grader who has many achievements that do her parents proud. (est)