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Parent Support

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Coping Skills

  • Coping skills are tools you can use to support your mental health during challenging life situations such as having your baby in the NICU. Please find some examples below that may be useful

  • It is okay for NICU parents to take breaks from the NICU. In order to still feel connected some hospitals can set up video cameras to see your baby while away from them. In order to feel a sense of control NICU parents are often able to decorate their NICU space to make it feel more personal. In addition, nurses often let NICU parents help with tasks such as taking their baby’s temperature and changing their diapers.

  • In order to keep your baby safe be sure to wash your hands, get your baby vaccinated, and stay away from them if you are sick

  • Self-compassion is the process of providing kindness and understanding towards yourself. This can be achieved through soothing music and yoga. When time is limited, you can provide supportive self-talk and kind words ("I know this is hard and I know I will get through it")

  • Meditation helps us to elicit kindness and friendliness to ourselves and others around us. Through this site, you will learn three helpful meditation practices: NICU Noises Meditation, Baby & Me NICU Meditation, and Tonglen NICU Meditation

  • As breathe in, breathe in calming air. Look at your baby, and let go of any stress or pain. Be in the moment with your baby, using focus and attention to feel connected. Watch your baby move their fingers and toes, and know your presence is a comfort to them. If thoughts come in, put them on a cloud and watch the cloud float away.

  • You are not in this alone. Your friends and family are important sources of support in this trying time. CaringBridge is an easy and ad-free way to share health updates and news about your baby, including milestones, with your entire network of support–all in one place.

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Coping Skill
Meditation
Milestones
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Peer Mentors

  • A peer mentor is a NICU graduate parent who provides support to current NICU parents

  • A peer mentor will: provide encouragement and understanding during the whole process, provide a safe environment for honest thoughts and feelings, offer helpful resources for coping, and give advice from personal experience 

  • You can request peer mentors through nationwide services using the following links:​​
     

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Orientation to the NICU

  • Asking nurses and your team about NICU policies can help you be fully informed of your rights and resources, such as requesting nurses who will more regularly be assigned to your baby for and asking for a social worker for support.
     

  • While there are many important members of the NICU team, two in particular are the neonatologist and the neonatal nurse. The neonatologist diagnoses and treats your newborn and make decisions regarding the treatment plan. The neonatal nurse stays by your side to give medications, answer questions, and provide constant support for your baby. Click the button below for more information on medical personnel
     
     

  • A few important questions to ask your NICU team include, "what support services do you offer in the NICU for parents?", "how can I bond with my baby?", and "what precautions can I take to avoid infections?". Click the button for more important questions to ask your care team. 

     

  • The picture below can help orient you to the NICU equipment that your baby may need during their NICU stay.

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Information for Non-Birthing Partners

  • Below are some suggestions for how best to navigate the NICU as a non-birthing parent:

    • Support your partner by helping prepare breast milk

    • Be understanding and encourage your partner's self-care by stepping up in your caregiving role

    • Be open with your partner about how you're feeling

    • Discuss with your partner what information you are comfortable sharing with others

    • Advocate at work for your own needs and time-off
       

  • If the non-birthing parent identifies as a father, the following podcast link may be helpful as it discusses the NICU experience from the perspective of a father,  mental health issues that affect NICU dads, and ways to connect with other NICU dads

Peer Mentors
Questions
Partners
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Transitioning out of the NICU

  • Check in with your care team and partner so you know what medicine and equipment you may need at home. It may help to become comfortable operating the equipment on your own.
     

  • Consider spending a night at the NICU before transitioning home. That way,  you can practice caring for your baby independently while knowing your care team is available if needed 
     

  • Feeding your baby on your own may feel intimidating. Click the button below for helpful tips for feeding your baby after the NICU, such as how to properly warm the baby's milk or formula.

     

  • It is helpful to be aware of the early intervention programs available to address developmental delays like speech and language difficulties or motor skill weakness. The link below serves as an introduction to early intervention resources.
     

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