Guatemala, November 2025 – When a baby arrives prematurely, their arrival into the world is often very different from what the parents imagined. Instead of returning home with their baby in their arms, many families must first visit a special place within the hospital: the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), like the one located at Hospital El Pilar. There, a period of support, learning, and hope begins.

What is the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) ?

The NICU is a specialized service designed to provide premature babies with all the supportive care they need after being born early. This unit is equipped with high-tech equipment, such as incubators that maintain temperature and prevent dehydration, ventilators that assist breathing, pumps for administering medications, and monitors that continuously record the baby's vital signs . In addition to the technical equipment , the heart of the NICU is its highly trained staff: doctors , nurses and specialists dedicated to the care of the little ones . “ Premature babies are not sick babies . They are babies who were born early, with more immature organs , and we need to learn how to care for and protect them so they can develop in the best way,” explains Dr. Ana Lucía Díez, a neonatologist.

Which babies require admission to the NICU ?

Most admissions are for babies born before 37 weeks of gestation. There are different degrees of prematurity:

·       Late premature infants:34 to 36 weeks.

·       Moderately premature infants:32 to 34 weeks.

·       Very premature: less than 32 weeks.

·       Extremely premature: less than 28 weeks.

Approximately 80% of cases are late or moderate preterm infants, who need support to make the transition from intrauterine life to extrauterine life. The admission of a baby to the NICU undoubtedly represents a huge emotional challenge for families. “ No father is prepared for his baby to be born and unable to leave the hospital. It is a process that is experienced as a grieving process, because it completely changes the idea they had of their life after the birth,” explains Dr. Díez. Ideally, parents should receive psychological support from birth, especially in cases where postpartum depression or intense emotional symptoms are identified .

The role of mom and dad in baby care

Far from being mere observers, parents play an essential role in the baby's recovery . From day one, they are encouraged to gradually become involved: touching the baby , changing him, feeding him, and learning the proper positions to hold him safely. One of the most powerful tools in this process is the Kangaroo Mother Care method , a gift from Colombia to the world. It consists of keeping the baby in skin-to-skin contact with its mother or father, even in some cases while the baby remains connected to medical support . This method promotes bonding, regulates vital signs, improves weight gain, helps establish breastfeeding, and strengthens the baby's development .

Caring for a premature baby when you get home

Hospital discharge marks the beginning of a new stage. Dr. Díez recommends that parents maintain at home the routine the baby had in the hospital and continue with the care they learned. Some key points are:

·       Knowing the warning signs and knowing how to act.

·       Maintain skin-to-skin contact and reinforce breastfeeding.

·       Respect meal and sleep schedules .

·       Administer medications correctly.

·       Avoid visitors in the first few weeks to reduce the risk of infection.

·       Try to establish breastfeeding. “ Brother’s own milk protects against diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity, improves neurodevelopment and reduces the risk of infections and necrotizing enterocolitis,” says Dr. Díez .

“ The most important thing is to empower parents so they feel confident. They are the ones who know their baby best,” the neonatologist emphasizes.

A safe environment at home

Premature babies have immature immune systems, so factors that increase the risk of infection should be avoided. The following is advised :

·       Limit visits and maintain a clean and quiet environment.

·       Adapt to the baby's rhythm , respecting their pace.

·       Train the primary caregiver in CPR and first aid.

·       Continue care until the doctor indicates that the corrected age of 40 weeks has been reached.

Every day counts, and every small step forward is a victory. On World Prematurity Day, Dr. Ana Lucía Díez recalls this year's motto : “ Let’s give premature babies a good start to a bright future.” With love, patience, and support, premature babies can develop fully and continue to grow strong, surrounded by the love of their families.