The PREMATURE INFANT makes her appearance often to the consternation of parents and doctors alike

The PREMATURE INFANT makes her appearance often to the consternation of parents and doctors alike. The mother may have had medical problems or physical trauma, but often there is no adequate explanation for this early arrival.

Not only has there been not enough time for organ-systems to mature -- there hasn't been enough time for the intrauterine learning experiences that may not be duplicated as well outside the womb. Also, the infant may have to be on life support or may have all sorts of too-loud noises bombarding him in the nursery. It doesn't help that the incubator he is in may be old and have a higher noise level, rendering him more susceptible to hearing damage.

It is an accepted fact that growth outside the womb does not equal the rate that would have occurred if the baby was born term, despite every effort of physicians and other caregivers to provide adequate calories and nutritional requirements in special infant formulas if breast milk is inadequate. Brain growth continues at a rapid rate because of a preferential supply of nutrition to the nervous system, but a frequent concern is the adequacy of all elements needed for optimum growth and intellectual development.

After taking care of the premature infant's medical needs, the physician has to ensure that the baby is not only 'intact' but retains his capacity to develop to the fullest. Hence, things like music and infant massage in addition to breastfeeding (with kangaroo care as an early option) and the constant presence of parents who are expected to talk to the baby during long visits while the growing infant still needs to be in the nursery are to be encouraged.

The early use of visual stimuli such as simple pictures or colored objects may help in brain development. Patterns may be presented visually and certain shapes and colors placed within the baby's line of vision. The basic colors of red, black and white are very interesting to young infants, which may explain Mickey Mouse's popularity with them. Many prematures who turn out to be smarter or more advanced than their full term classmates may have had this early advantage. Certainly, the extra attention, skin-to- skin contact and even the procedures in the hospital should be seen as contributing to mental development.

I have had many premature patients in the past whose mothers I taught the elements of mental stimulation, or 'mental feeding' as a national program termed it. This was before there were a good number of studies about the specific results of infant stimulation. I asked these mothers to talk to their babies all the time, sing to them, play both nursery rhymes and classical music, put interesting patterns within their visual range (including up on the ceiling, changing them every few days and going back to the previous ones on a loose schedule) and read to them early, showing them animals and simple shapes or vibrant colors as they did so.

Sometimes I asked these mothers to cut out shapes from colored cardboard or art paper, or use colored wool, or put up wrapping paper with orderly patterns and nice colors. Certainly, I needed to keep track of how these children were doing, so when they came back for their check-up I also asked about their intellectual and social performance and made suggestions for fun and play.

I have had the great satisfaction of several of these parents coming up to me to tell me that these previously premature infants were at the top of their class, or were cited for some special talent, or received special awards, or were early readers, or original thinkers. I always thought that their investment of time and effort in mental stimulation paid off so very nicely.

All suggestions about improving learning in term infants apply to prematures, and parents may need to be early and more intensive with them. Everyone in the family should help, as they will also share in the satisfaction of seeing this child at risk excel beyond their expectations.

* LINKS to PREMATURE INFANT sites

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This Page Was Last Updated On April 22, 2002