How to Bond with Your Premature Baby While they are in the NICU

Me with my premature daughter in the NICU.

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No parent is prepared when their baby arrives ahead of schedule and it makes it especially difficult if their new infant must spend time in the NICU. Especially, early babies often require hospitalization that is longer than the mother is allowed to stay. Going home without your precious bundle of joy is not easy, but it is important for the baby to gain strength. No matter how long your child's stay in the NICU is, you can still bond with the baby, even if you cannot do so in traditional ways.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Picture of your family
Special stuffed animal for your baby
Shirt that you have worn for a few hours or blanket you have slept with.
Tape player with tape of your voice

Step1

The NICU can be a frightening place and the amount of time and touch you will get with your baby will depend on many factors. If the baby is not able to be held and rocked you can still do several things. You can talk to the baby, read books, sing, the sound of your voice will comfort and reassure them. You can also record the sound of your voice so that nurses could play it during the night if the baby gets upset.

Step2

When your baby is strong enough to be held and rocked do so as often as possible. NICUs often have hours you are allowed to be there, normally corresponding with feeding times. Try nursing if you and your baby are able, and if not try to be there for as many feedings as possible to bond with the baby. You can leave a shirt that you have worn or a blanket that you have slept with to be kept in the baby's warmer so they can be comforted by your smell even when you are not near.

Step3

You can make the warmer that your baby is staying in a little more homelike too. By hanging a handmade sign with the baby's name and pictures of your family, it will help you feel like you are creating comfort for the baby even in the often sterile NICU.

Step4

The best thing that you can do to bond with your baby during this period of stress, separations and worry is to remain as positive as possible and know that your love and your presence is what they need the most at this time.

Tips & Warnings

Take lots of pictures for you to have so that you have something to look at and comfort you during your times of separation.
Keep a journal of this time. It will help you be able to look at far your baby has come on days when it gets hard.
Make sure that you are getting plenty of rest. You will need it when the baby comes home.
Try to take it one day at a time because it can be frustrating when parent's time line expectations are not met. The doctor's and nurses know best and they know best to ensure when your baby goes home they are healthy and happy.
Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of Postpartum depression and watch out for them. There is a link provided below. If you do notice any of these you should contact your doctor right away.