Breast milk is the single best source of nutrition for your baby and will help him grow and thrive. Learn when your baby will be ready to breastfeed, why it's so important, and all about pumping.
Premature babies are often fed intravenously, or through tubes inserted into one of the baby's veins. This 'IV nutrition' is critical for helping your baby get stronger. Learn how this process works, and how you can keep your breast milk supply up so that when baby is ready he can make the transition to breastfeeding.
Preemie mothers describe their experience with pumping to provide breast milk for their babies, and fathers discuss ways to support the mother in this process.
Dr. Barbara Wesley, a specialist in high risk pregnancies, talks about the importance of breast milk for preemies and the steps preemie mothers can take to provide this critical nutrition for their babies.
Watch this video to learn how total parenteral nutrition helps your baby get nutrients through a central line.
Dr. Sue Hall explains why milk feedings are sometimes stopped.
Breastmilk is best for your baby. Here is information on nursing your baby in the NICU and guidelines for pumping and storing milk.
Neonatal Nurse, Mary Bubbers, gives advice on how to prepare the home and other things to consider when a preemie is being discharged from the NICU.
Your baby will be headed home before you know it. From picking the right car seat to home care instructions, be prepared for the big day.
Every parent looks forward to the day their baby will be discharged from the NICU, but having the baby home is going to present a new set of challenges for you. The more you can be mentally prepared, the easier it should be. This resource lists some realities you may face once you are home with your baby, and ways you can prepare for your baby's discharge. © TWN
Understand common precautions to take that are in the best interest of the health of the baby. © NICU Parent Network: unknown
Use this chart to document important information for emergency contacts. © NICU Parent Network: Preemie World
This resource provides tips to help you be prepared for bringing your baby home from the hospital. © NICU Parent Network: Preemie World
This letter is to family and friends thanking them for their love and support while their baby was in the NICU. It also lets them know that even though the child is leaving the NICU, there will still be precautions taken for the time being to keep the baby safe and healthy. © NICU Parent Network: Preemie World
This brochure thanks family and friends for all of the love and support received while the baby has been in the NICU. Now that the family is coming home, they will need continued help and support. The doctors and nurses have provided information on how to keep the family and baby safe, happy and healthy, and there will be some extra precautions taken for the time being. © NICU Parent Network: Hand to Hold
We know that parents usually want their baby to come home as soon as possible. All of the NICU staff's decisions about when to discharge a baby are made with the baby's health and safety as our paramount concerns. We have general guidelines, as shown in this document, but these are individualized as needed in each baby's case. © TWN
Follow these special safety directions to keep your preemie safe and healthy at home.
Your preemie's immune system needs time to develop. During this time, germs that don't make you sick at all could make the baby very sick. So you need to give your baby extra protection.
Your baby is finally ready to come home. Turn your nervous energy into positive action. Make a checklist for what you and your baby need before leaving the hospital so that you can create a safe home environment. Here's a list of items to get you started.
Dr. Sue Hall discusses how to prevent SIDS in your baby.
The NICU is a very controlled and safe place for babies that need special help. Watch this video to learn how this special place is designed to protect and support your baby.
Learn about brain injuries and bleeding in babies. Includes common brain problems, tests, and what to expect.
Breathing problems are common in NICU babies. NICU staff explain respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other lung problems, and the medicines and devices used to treat them.
Watch this to learn about volvulus in infants.
Dr. Sue Hall discusses the causes of and treatments for a baby going through the withdrawal process.
Dr. Goldstein, Dr. Walker and Dr. Hall discuss common vision issues among preemies, and how those issues can be avoided and possibly treated.
Watch this video to see why newborn babies sometimes pause their breathing and how it's treated.
Watch this video to learn what BPD is and how it affects your baby's lungs.
Watch this video to learn why babies get reflux and how you can help them feel better.
Watch this video to learn what bleeding in the brain is and how doctors grade its severity.
Watch this to learn why some babies have low blood sugar and how care teams help them stay healthy.
Dr. Mitchell Goldstien and Dr. Kara Calkins discuss RSV and how it can be prevented and treated, if necessary.
Watch this to learn how doctors treat NEC, a serious bowel infection in newborn babies.
You are an integral part of your preemie's care team. This resource, developed by parents of NICU babies impacted by NEC, offers recommendations for questions to ask to help explain NEC, treatments and your role in caring for your infant with NEC. © NICU Parent Network: NEC Society
Bonding with your baby in the NICU can lower her stress levels and yours. Find out how you and NICU staff can work together to give your baby the best care possible.
Watch this to learn how to properly do a standing transfer for kangaroo holding if a baby is in the NICU.
Preemie parents discuss their experience with providing Kangaroo Care for their babies and provide a few tips for making it easy and comfortable.
Learn how to compile your baby's medical records before discharge for a safe transition home.
Dr. Jeanette Whitney discusses the benefits of practicing kangaroo care with your baby.
Dr. Jeanette Whitney explains the importance of knowing your baby's visual cues, such as crying.
Dr. Erin Hamilton Spence emphasizes the importance of sleep for the development of a baby's brain.
Understand what you may experience with having multiple babies in the NICU and what to expect when transitioning home. © NICU Parent Network: Zoe Rose
This journal is a tool for parents to use in tracking both your preemie and your health and feelings. © NICU Parent Network: Mircopreemie
Premature babies especially need a supportive environment to help them continue to mature and develop as they would in their mother's womb.
Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) represents a group of heart defects that cause serious, life- threatening symptoms, but are often treatable if detected early. Learn about this simple screening test that uses non-invasive pulse oximetry to measure how much oxygen is in the blood; helping to identify babies who may be affected by CCHD before they leave the hospital.
Dr. Sue Hall explains what a PICC line is and how it helps a baby to be treated in the NICU.
Dr. Vedang Londhe explains what a CPAP machine is, and how it is typically used inside the NICU.
Dr. Vedang Lodhe explains the importance of newborn screenings.
Watch this video to learn how preterm and low birth weight babies can benefit from receiving their regular vaccinations and when they can get their shots.
Dr. Susan Sward explains the purpose of a blood transfusion, as well as why a baby might need one.
Watch this video to learn about how a preventive antibody can protect against RSV in infants and some toddlers and the importance of getting the vaccine.
Watch this video to see how your preterm baby's brain continues to grow after birth.
Watch this clip to learn some common reflexes that your baby uses to become comfortable.
Watch this video to understand how your growing preterm baby develops her senses of smell, hearing, touch, and vision.
Watch this video to understand the signs that signal that your baby is experiencing stress.
Watch this video to see the common signs that show you that your baby is comfortable and content.
Watch this video to hear other parents talk about the challenges of having their child in the NICU.
Watch this video to learn the important role you play while your child is in the NICU
Watch this video to learn the strategies used to help your child feel comfortable in the NICU.
Watch how kangaroo care is used to nurture you and your baby.
This booklet shares practical strategies designed to give comfort and help hold onto hope in the weeks ahead. Throughout, you'll find quotes and tips from moms and dads whose journeys were likely similar to your own. Remember that you're not alone - prematurity is more common than people realize, and there are many parents and organizations ready to help your family not only survive, but also thrive. We're here for you and we hope you reach out. © NICU Parent Network: Graham's Foundation
Life after the NICU can be exciting, chaotic, heartwarming, and sometimes scary, but it is always amazing. This resource is designed to help with the transition from hospital to home. © NICU Parent Network: Graham's Foundation
NICU stands for neonatal intensive care unit. Your baby is getting special care. Below are words that you will hear used in the NICU.
NEC is a serious health problem that occurs when part of a newborn baby's bowel (intestine) becomes damaged. Learn more about this condition, including diagnosis, causes, and treatment.
There's no doubt that life with newborn twins is double the challenge. But the joys are also twice as great.
In the NICU, the staff takes care of your premature baby's medical needs. But your presence is just as important. Read on to learn more.
