7 Ways to participate in the care of your baby in the NICU- Dr. Jessica Madden
7 Ways to Participate in the Care of Your Baby in the NICU
Be with your baby in the NICU as much as you can. Most NICUs allow parents to visit 24/7 and some even have beds in babies’ rooms so parents can stay overnight. Some parents night worry about being “in the way” of the doctors and nurses taking care of their baby, but this is never the case!
Participate in “kangaroo care” with your baby on a regular basis– holding your baby “skin to skin” has numerous benefits including keeping your baby warm, helping him or her to feel secure, and keeping your baby’s breathing and heart rate stable. “Kangarooing” is also the perfect way to start to bond with your baby outside of the womb.
“Rounds,” which are when the NICU medical team discusses your baby’s progress and makes plans for the day, usually take place every morning. Try to be present during NICU rounds as often as possible. If you cannot physically be on rounds, try to call in or be present by video at least a few times week
Pump breast milk, if possible, for your baby’s nutrition. Pumping is hard work, but it is very beneficial for babies to receive their mom’s breastmilk – it is easier to digest than formula, helps to protect against harmful bacteria and viruses, and leads to improved developmental outcomes for babies.
Learn who all of your baby’s NICU caretakers are – these include not only doctors (neonatologists) and nurses, but also neonatal nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, social workers, nutritionists (dieticians), pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pediatric interns and residents, and child life specialists.
As your baby grows, you can become more and more “hands on” in participating in care, including changing your baby’s diaper, taking their temperature, changing clothes, and giving your baby a bath. If you are ready to do these things, and have not yet been given the opportunity, please let your baby’s nurse know that you are interested in their care.
Read and learn about your baby’s medical needs. You can find NICU-related information in books and written materials, websites, podcasts, videos, and phone apps for parents of preemies. Some NICUs have parent peer networks in which current NICU families are matched with former NICU families for support and guidance. There are also an increasing number of outside resources including Project NICU, which hosts parent support groups, offers a parent mentor program, donates gift packages, and provides online resources for all NICU parents.