Neonatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar (glucose) level in newborns) can affect your baby depending on the age when they’re born. Low blood sugar can occur in babies born late preterm (35-37 weeks gestation), full term (39-40 weeks gestation), and late term (41 weeks gestation) babies who are otherwise considered healthy.
Learning that your new baby has a health condition can be scary but feel empowered in this situation. There are things you can do to assist with improving your baby’s blood glucose. Baby uses glucose to fuel their body, create energy, and maintain a normal temperature. So, blood sugar is pretty important, and it can be managed.
Experts recommend the following activities to help baby keep a stable amount of blood sugar:
- Hold baby skin-to-skin against your bare chest
- Nurse or bottle feed baby frequently, especially if you see baby opening their mouth like they’re ready to nurse
- When breastfeeding, support baby’s latch onto your breast when they seem interested in feeding or are hungry
- Supplement with donor milk or formula as needed
When these actions aren’t enough to help baby with their blood sugar level, your otherwise healthy baby may be transferred to the NICU until their blood sugar is stable. Baby may even receive glucose gel or sugar through an IV.
How Concerning is Neonatal Hypoglycemia?
In the U.S., low blood sugar levels affect approximately 1 in 6 newborns. Most often, babies who need support stabilizing their blood sugar are born between weeks 35 and 37. Your baby may also struggle with blood sugar issues if you have diabetes.
Your nurses will talk to you about holding your baby skin-to-skin, which is shown in research to help baby gain and maintain a stable blood sugar level. Try to breastfeed your baby as soon after birth and as often as possible. Nestle baby against your warm skin when they’re not nursing—this is a great time for baby to bond with their other parent.
Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Care After Birth
- Baby stabilizes their breathing
- Baby can hold a steady body temperature
- Baby’s blood sugar levels remain stable and in a normal range
- Baby begins breastfeeding
- Baby is most likely to continue to nurse at home
Help Your Baby Start and Stay Skin-to-Skin
If you want to breastfeed your baby exclusively, placing them skin-to-skin at birth and remaining skin-to-skin gives you the greatest chances for success. Try these additional tips to promote starting and sustaining nursing:
- Place baby skin-to-skin on your bare chest at birth
- Feed your baby as soon after birth as possible
- Keep baby skin-to-skin for an hour or more—this if often referred to as the “golden hour”
- Position baby’s bassinet next to your bedside in your hospital room
- Watch for baby’s hunger signs—being restless, putting fingers and hands to mouth
- Avoid pacifiers until baby is regularly nursing at your breasts
- And for you mom, eat healthy snacks frequently and drink lots of water to maintain and increase your breastmilk supply
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