Hints and Tips

  • Put together an expressing kit to take with you wherever you go. Include sterile containers your labels and a pen. Keep together in a cooler bag, ready for use. Don’t forget to take your pump with you.
  • Try and learn all you can about the medical equipment, medical conditions and staff that are helping care for your baby. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, the NICU/SCN staff have a wealth of knowledge and are there to help you. If you don’t understand something ask for it to be explained again and try and write down questions as you think of them.
  • The NICU can be a very noisy place and the equipment’s alarms will at first drive you crazy. You will eventually tune them out and remember there are many false alarms.
  • Spend time reading stories to your baby. Your baby would have spent month’s in-utero listening to your voice and it can be a truly special time for the both of you to share.
  • Ask if you can take some hand/foot prints if your baby is stable enough. You may also be able to arrange to have hand and foot casts made.
  • Ask if you can keep mementos such as your baby’s first hospital bracelet, a clean tiny sized nappy, phototherapy mask, old leads, Blood Pressure cuff etc – in time you will look back and wonder how it was ever too big for them.
  • Keep a journal of your baby’s progress and your feelings while you are in the NICU. Journals become a great keepsake and you will be able to look at it and see how far your child has come. You can include information such as;
    • Weights and measurements
    • Vital signs such as heart rate and oxygen saturation
    • Feeds
    • Medications
    • Graduations such as moving from Level 3 to Level 2 or coming off a ventilator to CPAP
    • Tests or procedures
    • How you and baby were feeling
    • Try to write down all your baby’s “firsts”
      • First touch
      • First cuddle
      • First time you do your baby’s “cares” e.g. change their nappy
      • First time wearing clothes
      • First time you heard a cry
      • First time you could breast feed or bottle feed
      • First time you see your baby’s face with no tubes
      • First real bath
  • Some units allow you to provide your own clothes when the baby is stable enough to be dressed. For most mums seeing their baby dressed for the first time is a truly memorable moment
  • NICUs and SCN can be very warm so remember to dress appropriately. Avoiding long sleeves can be beneficial especially when it comes to washing your hands/arms throughout your visit.
  • If your baby’s bedding is being changed you may be able to help the nursing staff and have a hold of your baby too. You may be able to place your hands in the humidicrib, lift your baby up in your two hands all while their bedding is changed by their nurse. It may only be a very short time but this often is the first time a parent gets to “hold” their baby and a treasured memory.
  • Take lots of photographs and video footage of your baby. Some parents have taken pictures with their baby and an item that will give people an idea of their size later on. WE have seen photo’s of mum or dads wedding band on their baby’s wrist/arm, with a doll, matchbox car, stuffed animal, coke bottle, mobile phone.
  • Celebrate every step and milestone however big or small. Your baby may have finally reached 1kg, come of CPAP or been in hospital 100 days. Photos, video footage, balloons or even a cake for those extra big events.
  • The routine hand washing can leave your hands very dry and cracked in a short amount of time. Invest in a good hand cream to help with dry hands from continual washing and keep a hand sanitiser in your purse for the times when you touch money, hand rails etc
  • Get as much rest as possible, try to drink plenty of water and eat well
  • If your baby is stable ask to spend time with your baby having kangaroo care. This special cuddle can help your baby maintain a stable heart and breathing rate and develop better physically and mentally.
  • If your unit has a parent’s room, make use of it to read, watch television and chat with other parents.
  • Say “hello” to other parents in the NICU/SCN and make time to chat with each other. Share your experiences with other families and you will benefit immensely from each others support. You will find the friendships and support networks formed in hospital a great comfort once you have been discharged home as well.
  • Discuss with your baby's nurse a schedule to have regular time with your baby, ringing in the morning to find out how baby has been and what time the feeds are likely to be.
  • Leaving your baby in hospital can be a very emotional time. Do whatever it takes to help you feel ok even if that means calling the hospital numerous times a night to check how your baby is doing.
  • If you feel you need a break from visitors coming to the NICU/SCN don’t feel guilty. Your family and friends will understand so don’t be afraid to tell them you need a break.
  • At first you may be hesitant to get involved in your baby’s care due to their size or medical condition however you can both benefit immensely from the contact and bonding. Your baby’s nurses will be able to help and show you what to do which might include changing their nappy, cleaning their mouth or even choosing their clean clothes.
  • While your baby is sleeping spend time just watching them. Watching their facial expressions and activities will help you get to know your baby and their little personality.
  • Most units have a room set aside for expressing or breastfeeding. It’s a wonderful place to spend time chatting with other mums who are going through the same experience as you.
  • Try and take some time out for yourself. Spending a day or afternoon away from the hospital can give you a much needed rest from the stresses and intense NICU environment.
  • During your visit you can even take a short break away with a walk around the hospital campus, or a quite cuppa in the cafeteria. This can offer a welcome break during the long and tiring days.