NICU stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is a specialized unit in a hospital that provides medical care for premature infants, newborns with health conditions, and those who require close monitoring and support in their first few weeks or months of life. The NICU is staffed with highly trained pediatric doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide specialized care for fragile newborns.

In the NICU, parents can visit daily during visiting hours or unless special accommodations are made. Depending on the baby’s condition, parents can sit with and hold the baby for cuddles and perform skin-to-skin, which in some cases has proven to expedite babies’ recovery duration in the NICU. Research shows that parents who spend time with their premature or sick infants in the NICU can help improve their baby’s growth and neurological development. A parent’s presence can help the baby feel comforted, leading to faster progress and less stress, assisting parents to feel more involved in their care and better prepared to care for them once they are discharged. 

According to the Patient Experience Journal, “Parental involvement and presence have been shown to positively impact infants’ developmental outcomes and parents’ ability to follow a post-discharge care plan. However, in the NICU, parents often experience distress, which can negatively impact a child’s cognitive and behavioral outcomes.” (Taylor et al., 2020) In this article, let’s go over some ways to better help parents prepare for time in the NICU to be comfortable and assist healthcare professionals with the speedy recovery of their new infant.

  • Make the space more personal – 

Having your newborn admitted to the NICU is never a happy circumstance. However, sometimes we’re fortunate that they only have to stay for a few days, while in more unfortunate events, they may be there for weeks, months, or longer, depending on the severity of the health condition. In those instances, it’s essential to make the space your own. Of course, ensure the health care team has room to work, but photos, blankets, pillows, or clippers can make a world of difference. 

  • Celebrate Milestones – 

Celebrate your baby’s progress. Every advancement your baby makes is one step closer to being able to take your tiny one home, so be sure to bask in the excitement. Baby will absolutely feel that!

 

  • Get Involved – 

As your baby’s healthcare team of doctors and nurses cares for it, ask questions and join in on diaper changes, feedings, and anything else they can let you be a part of. This will also ease the team’s minds when it’s time for discharge, as you both will be comforted that you can care for the baby once you touch down at home.

  • Take Breaks –

There’s a good chance most of your time, the first few weeks, will be spent at the hospital with your little one. While you’re there, it is equally important to make time for yourself. Go to the cafeteria for lunch. Go for a walk. Bring a book. Binge a show. Especially if you begin to feel overwhelmed, be sure to step away so that you can return with a clearer mind.

  • Eat and Stay Hydrated –

Eating and remaining hydrated ensures you stay healthy and comprehensive. This will already be a stressful time for you, so while your baby’s healthcare team is taking care of them, you must take care of you.

Use these tips to ensure you have all you need when preparing for a NICU stay. At Adoptions From The Heart, our goal is to always provide clients and families with helpful tools, like this article, to help better prepare them for the expected and the unexpected. For more helpful tips and articles like this one, visit our website and check out some of our other educational platforms. 

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Taylor, K. D., McLaughlin, L., Kuehn, D., Campbell, J., Kohler, J., & Higginson, J. (2020). The impact of parental presence in the NICU on hospital alienation and other distress measures. Patient Experience Journal, 7(3), 44–48. https://doi.org/10.35680/2372-0247.1522