Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Home Treatment

After being treated for necrotizing enterocolitis, your newborn can leave the hospital when he or she has been feeding well enough to stay at the same weight or gain weight. Before you take your baby home, be sure you know:

• How much and what to feed your baby so that his or her intestines heal and grow normally. Most newborns can be fed regular formula or breast milk. But if your newborn had surgery, he or she may need to eat a special formula.
• How to care for your newborn's colostomy or ileostomy. For more information, see:

  Bowel disease: Caring for your ostomy.

• The symptoms of an intestinal blockage, such as throwing up, a swollen belly, or any change in bowel movements. Contact your doctor immediately if your newborn has any of these symptoms.
• How to care for your newborn's incision.
• How often you need follow-up visits with your doctor.

If you think that you will need help caring for your newborn, talk to your doctor about contacting a pediatric home health agency. A home health agency can provide medical care for your baby in your home.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: May 5, 2009
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Jennifer Merchant, MD - Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
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