Browsing all posts in "NICU Survival".

When Your Friend Has a Preemie

Did you just find out that a friend or loved one had a preemie and you want to show support but aren’t sure what to do?  Here are some tips from a mother who lost a preemie at 21 weeks and then had a 27-weeker who spent 94 days in the NICU:

Do everything you can [...]

NICU Survival Tip #2

My NICU Survival Tip #2 is something that I didn’t really do myself during the 94 days my girl was in the NICU, but I wish that I would have.
I left my home and stayed with family near my preemie’s NICU during her stay, and I spent all day every day in the NICU with [...]

Attitude is Everything

So, I’m noticing that on a lot of boards or forums associated with preemies, raising children, or being pregnant, there is sometimes vulgarity and often whining or yelling.  I understand the need to release frustrations and to occasionally vent about when things are particularly bad or difficult, but I find it incredibly rude and immature [...]

Due Date Come and Gone?

So, my 27-weeker preemie was in the NICU past her due date, which the nurses had told me was a bit unusual.  From the day we arrived at the NICU I received encouragement that my baby would be home before her due date, because most preemies were.  I never lost hope of that, which is [...]

NICU Nurses Good and Bad

I sometimes wonder if NICU nurses realize how huge of an impact they have on the parents’ NICU experience.  There does not have to be a lot of interaction between parents and nurses if it’s not encouraged by the parents, but even still the attitude, gentleness, and concern a nurse has for each baby is [...]

Ideas for a NICU Care Basket

Many family members and friends of those who have new preemie babies want to provide help and support but aren’t quite sure what is needed or what would be the most appreciated.  Especially during the first difficult weeks or months while the baby is in the NICU, a gift basket is a great idea!
I have [...]

Help Parents Get Sleep

Preemie parents need to get good sleep.  The biggest reason for this is to keep their immune systems strong so that they don’t get sick and are then unable to visit and care for their preemie baby.  It is a terrible thing to not be able to visit your baby because you’re sick.
How can you, [...]

Help Parents Find Shelter

Shelter is an important need, for obvious reasons.  If your friend or loved one has a preemie in a NICU near where you live then please, please open your doors to them!  Offer to let them move in for a few weeks if need be, or let them know that they can stop in any [...]