what to do for parents with baby in nicu
Whenever you or your partner can hold your baby against your bare chest. Even if you cant hold your baby for long you may be allowed to place your hand.
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A compact bag to carry pumping supplies or a cute travel bag for clothes would be a nice thought.
. Check with the hospital staff about which family members can see your baby. Hospital cafeterias can get old and expensive pretty fast so organize a meal train with others in her community. Incubators to help babies stay warm oxygen delivery to help with respiratory distress supplemental forms of.
Although the health of our babys is our greatest concern in the day to day life in the NICU it is the little things that medical professionals do that make a difference. All parents will need to buy some new equipment to better care for their child but preemies require extra special gear. When a friends baby is in the NICU.
Prepare for the unexpected. We suggest parents need to hear and internalize 3 important messages that overlap but are each important. The new mom will likely be spending long days in the NICU and like anyone recovering from birth she will be hungry.
If your NICU has anyone able to teach you gentle infant massage it can be a super relaxing bonding activity that youll both love. We know that the NICU is not a place you ever thought you would be. You may need to wear gloves and a mask.
For example you can help wash your babys face change nappies or reposition your baby. Money for a car rental. Everyone who comes into the NICU must wash their hands before they enter.
Extra phone chargers to keep at the hospital or in a travel bag. Avoid places that have large crowds such as churches or grocery stores. Spending so much time in the hospital can be lonely and exhausting says Amber Matyi whose son Luca was delivered four weeks early and spent 24 days in the NICU.
Most hospitals will have a place for you to wash up before even entering the NICU. Always Wash Your Hands. When you cant hold her stay close.
And food is a great way to support a family with a NICU babyyou just need to know the best way to do it. She wishes she had asked loved ones to come and sit with the baby so she could get some rest or take a break. Prepaid room at a nearby hotel.
Some nurses may not be familiar with using these items in the NICU but dont let that. 7 Stock Up on Preemie Equipment. Parents dont just see tubes and wires they see their precious baby and you should too.
Some ideas to include in a care package. If you can plan to be in the NICU when the staff do your babys cares. No matter the diagnosis or the prognosis congratulate the parents.
If your baby has physical therapy activities be sure to ask that you get trained on how to perform them with your baby. Before entering the NICU learn the etiquette from your nurses and doctors. Child care so both parents can visit the NICU together.
So whether youre a nurse a caregiver or a friend remember these helpful acts can provide support for parents of a baby in the NICU. You would do that for any newborn. Give a gift card for companies like Uber Eats Grubhub DoorDash or Seamless so the family can order takeout right to the hospital.
A nice lip balm or hand lotion. Get involved with your babys routines. The support is appreciated and means so much but.
Hospital food gets old fast. Be aware of where you would want your baby treated in a medical crisis. We know there are so many emotions that you are having right now including fear anger anxiety sadness and as confusing as it may be maybe even happiness.
The times you are at the hospital may be the only times extended family can visit your preemie but it is also the only time you can visit your baby. My favorite is this hand sanitizer that I used each and every time after washing my hands for added protection. This concept is also essential for parents of infants in the NICU although their path is complexWe write as clinicians who were also families in the NICU.
Ear plugs for naps in the NICU. Do you find that your baby is slipping all over the place during kangaroo care or do you feel afraid that youre going to drop your preemie making it impossible for you to actually relax and enjoy your cuddle time. Reach out but dont expect a reply.
Most pregnant women never imagine that their baby might need time in a NICU. Bring food food and more food. How can I bond with my baby while she is in the NICU.
Do call and visit. No matter what you say to NICU parents the best possible approach is patience and kindness. Take all the skin-to-skin contact you can get.
Hospital parking pass. Preemie parents from all over the world came together via the Preemie-L group to create a list for nurses and doctors that will help them understand the intricate needs. Call the baby by name.
Preemie parents are ostracized enough so offering tiny bits of new parenthood normalcy is priceless. Dear NICU Parent To begin we would like to say congratulations on the birth of your precious baby. A food delivery service gift card.
They are experiencing the most pain and hardship that a parent can go through so they will behave more like a grieving person than an excited new parent. There will be a sink and antibacterial soap in. Give the parents a night off.
Since the early 1960s dramatic improvement in the care of preterm and term infants has taken place in neonatal intensive care units across our country. You can first learn and then gradually take over your babys care. Understand you and your spouse need alone time with your child.
This is a very personal gift that you can give even if you live far away. Some units require guests to wear hospital gowns. Consider the possibility and think about choosing a hospital based on the level of care offered for newborns.
Or a gift card they can use toward a massage online therapy or postpartum doula support. You are a parent you are not a bad parent and you are a good parent. Children visiting the NICU must be well not sick and should have all their immunizations.
Let the new mom know youre thinking of her and her family. The best thing you can do as a well-meaning friend or family member is to be patient. Useful items include a nursing apron or any cover-up for mom while pumping in the NICU an insulated lunch bag filled with snacks a file box with folders for the mountain of medical paperwork a notebook and folder to track conversations and forms and a chest freezer for breastmilk.
Knowledge has advanced along with the technical equipment to care for these babies. Even when you must visit your babys doctors office ask to be seen in a private examination room while you wait. Notice all the beautiful things about the baby and comment on them.
10 Things You Can Do to Help. Use a baby wrap a Moby wrap or Zaky Zak or a skin to skin shirt. A cozy nursingpumping-friendly top or pair of pjs We love Latched Mama.
If you must send a gift shop for the parents.
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