NICU Parent Survival Guide
Nobody wants to think about your baby going to the NICU, but it is something to prepare for just in case. Being a parent to a NICU baby is stressful, scary, and at times lonely. It is important to equip yourself with some knowledge to help combat some of those feelings beforehand.
1. Know the NICU Basics:
- Levels 1-4:
Level 1 is not intensive care at all, but rather a Well Newborn Nursery.
Level 2 is for “special care,” or as I call it “Intermediate Care.”
Level 3 gives life sustaining care, or “Advanced Care.”
Level 4 is a regional NICU that provides complex intensive life sustaining care for babies in critical condition or in need of major surgeries.
- Personnel:
Registered Nurses are who you will interact with most, they are the ones doing all basic care throughout the shift.
Neonatologists are the doctors in charge of the NICU. They are Pediatricians who are specially trained in preemies and sick babies.
Nurse Practitioners are RNs with higher levels of education and training in neonatal care. They can do things that doctors can, and that nurses can’t, like prescribe medications or create a plan of care.
Social Workers are there to help families navigate life while having a baby in the NICU.
Pharmacists provide baby with medications they need, and inform team of dosages and possible side effects.
- Some Common Machines and Equipment:
Apnea Monitor- used to alert staff if baby stops breathing.
Bililights- bright blue lights that help treat Jaundice in baby. Also referred to as Phototherapy.
Blood Pressure (BP) Cuff- a machine connected to your baby by a small cuff, usually around the leg/ankle, that records baby’s Blood Pressure at regular intervals.
Cardiopulmonary Monitor- Machine that tracks baby’s heart beat and respiratory rates using little stickers in baby’s chest. These stickers are called “leads.”
CPAP- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure provides your baby with oxygen through small tubes in nose or airway.
Cooling Blanket- used to lower body temperature to prevent problems caused by low oxygen. Babies are rewarmed slowly in the incubator.
ECMO (Level 4)- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation is a machine that take blood out of baby, oxygenates the blood, and returns blood back to baby.
Gastric Feeding Tube/Nasogastric Tube- a tube in baby’s esophagus or nose that leads to stomach which is used to feed babies who can’t take food by mouth.
Incubator- Clear, plastic bed with holes for your arms/hands that work to keep baby warm.
IV- Intravenous Lines are a tube inserted into baby’s vein to provide fluids/medicines/blood as needed.
Ventilator- Helps baby breathe, or breathes for baby, by pushing air into the lungs using an Endotracheal Tube.
Nasal Cannula- Small plastic tubes that sit just inside baby’s nostrils and blow oxygen.
Pulse Oximeter- A small device wrapped around baby’s foot or hand that tracks the percentage of oxygen in their blood.
Radiant Warmer- An open bed with overhead heating to keep baby warm.
2. Learn Visitation Rules and Etiquette:
- Every NICU will have its own unique rules but most will allow and encourage parents can come any time they want.
Most NICUs only allow a maximum of two people at a time, children must be 13 or older, and visitors must be accompanied by a parent unless stated otherwise.
My NICU allowed me and my husband to come at any time, and we could designate 2 guests that could come without us who were given a special code in order to enter. If the guests were not designated, either my husband or myself would have to accompany them.
- Most NICUs require thorough hand washing upon entering. As a parent who visits frequently, this becomes second nature.
- Other common rules can include avoiding taking pictures or looking at other babies to maintain patient privacy, no food or drink, limiting cell phones, and of course, don’t come sick!
3. Participate in Care:
- Participating in “rounds” is a good way to keep up with your baby’s care. Rounds happen usually at start of every shift. During this time you can hear how your baby is doing, any plans for care, and bring up concerns you may have, etc.
- Change your baby’s diapers, or even ask to bathe them!
- Some nurses will let you take baby’s temperatures, and depending on baby’s stability, embrace skin to skin time!
- Have Lactation Consultants help breastfeeding if your baby can. If they can’t, the NICU can supply you with a hospital grade breast pump!
- If breastfeeding or pumping is not your style, try bottle feeding your little one.
- If your baby is there for an extended period of time, personalize the space! Bring pictures/books, blankets, pacifiers, clothes… just remember to ask nurses what is allowed and what isn’t.
4. Managing Stress:
- Learning about baby’s specific condition(s) can reduce anxiety and fear substantially. Ask nurses or use informational handouts instead of Dr. Google.
- Use hospital resources like meditation rooms and chapels, and consider a NICU parent support group.
- Celebrate the wins! Baby’s O2 level is up? Celebrate! Baby is coming off the ventilator and onto a CPAP? Celebrate!
5. Do you Know Someone Whose Baby is in the NICU? Here’s How to Help:
- Give Mama a Pumping/Breastfeed/Formula Package
Include things like nursing pads, bottles, bottle brushes, nipple cream, a hospital grade pump, replacement pump parts, encouraging notes.
- Food, Food, Food!
Never underestimate the power of a homecooked meal. Drop off a casserole, offer to cook their favorite meal, or just keep their fridge stocked with snacks for time home between NICU visits.
- Volunteer Your Time
Run some errands
Do the laundry and dishes
Walk the dogs
Bring in the mail
- Provide Childcare
Watch the children or take them to the park so the new parents can visit baby or just get some much-needed shut eye.
- Listen.
Most importantly, offer a non-judgmental, empathetic shoulder to cry on.
Allow space for silence.
Know the signs of PPD.
Conclusion
Knowing some of what you can expect when you have a little one in the NICU can be empowering, and encourage you to be active in your baby’s care. This experience is hard on anyone who goes through it, so remember to give yourself grace, trust the process, build a support system, and have hope.
