Getting Ready

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

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

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

Use this chart to document important information for emergency contacts. © NICU Parent Network: Preemie World

Understand common precautions to take that are in the best interest of the health of the baby. © NICU Parent Network: unknown