Preemie babies have multiple needs, but body heat, warmed blankets, and mother’s breastmilk are very important.
My middle child was two months premature. When I could finally hold her in the NICU, it was a major military maneuver. Between the feeding tube, IVs, oxygen tube, and getting layered down with heated blankets, it took two nurses and myself to position everything. After a half hour in the rocking chair my back began to hurt because I was arched at an odd angle. I didn’t care. I stayed in the chair till my legs went numb, gently and slowly stroking her and rocking, softly singing to her. It was important not to overstimulate her system, so slow and gentle, loving and soothing, were the orders I received and I followed them religiously.
Her good stats jumped substantially and would level up after every visit (I had a toddler at home and came twice a day). They estimated it would take 6 weeks before she could come home. We brought her home after 12 days.