Hand to Hold, a national NICU family support organization, produced this video specifically for siblings who have a brother or sister in the neonatal intensive care unit. The tour is led by a NICU graduate who explains what a NICU is, about the care babies receive there, the importance of handwashing and what a big brother or sister can do to show their love for their sibling even if they can't visit them in the hospital NICU. Visit www.handtohold.org to learn more. © NICU Parent Network: Hand to Hold
Hear neonatologists, bedside nurses, and other NICU medical staff talk about what they do to care for your baby in the NICU. Includes information on respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, chaplains, and more.
For many premature babies, and even some full-term babies, the NICU provides the support and care they need to transition from the womb to the world. Here are some reasons your baby might need the NICU.
You'll encounter lots of wires, tubes, and high-tech machines in the NICU. Find out what they do and how they help your baby.
Premature and/or sick babies have a greater risk of infection. Make sure you prepare yourself and your baby's visitors for keeping the NICU environment safe and healthy.
An introduction to life in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. Learn how you and NICU staff work together to give your baby the very best care.
Your baby's NICU bed, sometimes called an isolette or a warming bed, keeps her warm and safe. Watch as a NICU nurse explains how this medical marvel works.
Dr. Mitchell Goldstein addresses whether all NICUs are capable of providing the same level of treatment a baby might need.
Dr. Valencia Walker addresses the common question: When can my baby come home?
Learning as much as you can about the NICU can make it seem less scary and more reassuring. This glossary will help you understand the meaning of many of the terms you may hear in your prematurity journey. © NICU Parent Network: Graham's Foundation
These suggestions are tips to help you be proactive for meetings with your baby's healthcare team, so you will feel somewhat more "in control" of your NICU experience. You have every right to be partners in the care of your baby, and you are the best advocate your child has. © TWN
In most cases, you can be with your baby in the NICU at any time. Read on to learn what you can expect.
While your baby is the NICU, you will have lots of opportunities to bond with and care for your baby. Watch this video to learn some of the ways NICU babies benefit from close contact with Mom and Dad.
A young couple shares the fears and joys of having a preemie daughter in the NICU.
Life as a mom of twin preemies, and the early days of caring for your child in the NICU.
Dr. Kara Calkins discusses acceptable visitation practices by friends and family of the baby in the NICU.
Having a baby in the NICU is a difficult time in any parent's life. When you have other young children at home, challenges are multiplied. They need your time and attention, too. One of the most valuable things we can offer our children in times of crisis is clear, consistent information. This resource provides some of the most common questions your child may have and suggestions on how to answer. © NICU Parent Network: Hand to Hold
Understand that as you leave the NICU with your baby, you are a changed person. You believe in miracles. Your baby is one. And you helped make that happen. © NICU Parent Network: Preemie World
Fathers have an important role in the life of their baby. When parents find themselves in the NICU after delivery, fathers often experience a wide range of emotions. © NICU Parent Network: NICU Helping Hands
Pregnant moms-to-be with certain medical conditions can prepare themselves for the possibility their baby will spend time in the NICU. Learn about those final weeks of pregnancy and how to prepare for a possible NICU experience.
Being a NICU mom or dad can be an emotional rollercoaster. Learn about resources and strategies to help you cope.
When your baby's birth is followed by a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, it can have a very real and lasting impact on your mental health. Parents with babies in the intensive care unit are more at risk of depression and anxiety disorders. Learn how to lessen your chances of suffering from anxiety, depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder, recognize the signs that may mean you should seek help and know how to advocate for your health throughout your NICU experience.
A mom that has been through the NICU with two children shares all she has learned about taking charge of her baby's health.
This program helps new moms cope with the uncertainty that can come with having a preemie. "When Baby Arrives Early" shows how to care for a premature infant while in the hospital and during those first few days at home. Healthcare professionals and Moms openly discuss how they face the uncertainty.
Understand that there are many ways to bond with your baby during their NICU stay. © NICU Parent Network: Hand to Hold
There is nothing that prepares a new parent for the premature birth of their baby. Coping with change is difficult under the best of circumstances, but when uncertainty surrounds the health and well being of your baby it can be overwhelming. There are some things you can do while making this difficult transition that will assist you in coping with the unexpected journey through the NICU. © NICU Parent Network: NICU Helping Hands
Understand that there is a chance of PTSD after experiencing time in the NICU with your baby. Learn the symptoms of PTSD and know that there is help available. © TWN
The emotional, physical, financial and psychological impact of a NICU stay often blindsides families. Hand to Hold is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the information, resources and support parents need during and after a NICU stay to ensure the best outcome for the baby and the entire family unit. © NICU Parent Network: Hand to Hold
Understand that being a NICU Dad is no easy thing, and in some ways it may be even more challenging than it is to be a NICU Mom. Learn how some dads cope with being a NICU dad while dealing with other aspects of life as well. © TWN
The loss of a child is one of life's most traumatic events. Having a strong support network where feelings can be shared in a safe and open manner is paramount to the grief process. © NICU Parent Network: NICU Helping Hands
