Tidligt hjemmeophold (THO) / Early home care

THO is an offer for families with a premature baby to have the last part of the hospitalisation in their own home. It applies to babies who need to wean off tube supplementation whilst your baby learns to feed from a breast or bottle.

THO benefits the whole family and gives them better opportunities for starting a normal family life. It helps ease the transition from hospital to home.

The advantage of THO for your baby is that there are often more peace and fewer stimuli at home, and that you as parents relax more in familiar surroundings.

THO is an offer for families with a premature baby to have the last part of the hospitalisation in their own home. It applies to babies who need to wean off tube supplementation whilst your baby learns to feed from a breast or bottle.
THO benefits the whole family and gives them better opportunities for starting a normal family life. It helps ease the transition from hospital to home.
The advantage of THO for your baby is that there are often more peace and fewer stimuli at home, and that you as parents relax more in familiar surroundings.

The department's doctors and nurses will assess whether the baby is suitable for THO. The assessment is made in consultation with you, and you decide for yourself whether you want to accept the offer and are comfortable with it.

Criteria for THO

Early homestays are offered to families who meet the following criteria:

The baby's current age (GA) is at least 35 weeks, and the baby is thriving and can keep warm on its own. The baby must be completely stable and must have been unsupervised for at least 1 day.
Before THO, the family must have been admitted to the Neonatal Unit, and the parents must have been taking care of their baby in the Baby Café by themselves in the time leading up to THO. The parents agree to either learn to insert a feeding tube themselves or to return to the ward at any time of the day if the baby needs to have a new tube.
The parents must be able to come for a check-up on the ward.
The parents must speak or understand Danish.
The parents are informed that they must seek knowledge/advice on the safe transport of the baby themselves. Reference is made to sikkertrafik.dk.
The parents have received training in first aid.

Before THO, a doctor or THO nurse will instruct you on what to do if you the baby accidentally receives milk into the trachea. You will be given the booklet "How to give first aid to your infant". A THO interview will also be held, and you will be given everything you need in terms of equipment to give tube feeding.

During early home stays, you can contact the Neonatal Unit around the clock if needed.
If the baby is breastfed, we advise against co-sleeping during THO as per The Danish Health Authority's recommendations on co-sleeping. This is because there is believed to be a significant risk that mum may fall asleep during breastfeeding whilst lying down.
A THO baby must have a check-up every 2-4 days, either at the Neonatal Unit or via video conversation. The baby will be seen by a nurse - as well as by a doctor if there is a need for it.

09. januar 2025

Tidligt hjemmeophold (THO) / Early home care

Indledning

Preparing for THO

Home again

Discharge

Contact and questions