-
Step 1
What to do in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): After adjusting to the NICU environment, it will be helpful for you and your preemie’s health care team if you participate in the care of your preemie. If your preemie is stable, you can assist with feeding and/or bathing. This will teach you how to handle your little one, help you to feel some sense of control over the situation and assist the NICU team.
-
Step 2
Perform Kangaroo Care: Research studies indicate that providing early “kangaroo care,” or skin-to-skin contact with your preemie is helpful for both you and your baby. It is important for you and your partner to hold your preemie skin-to-skin as much as possible. This will allow both of you to bond with your preemie and will provide comfort to him/her. According to the findings of nurse researcher Amy Johnson, moms using kangaroo care reported feeling more confident and comfortable holding their infant, regardless of his/her health issues. Kangaroo care can be provided by moms and dads in the hospital and at home.
-
Step 3
Care for You and Your Partner: While at home, it is important that you and your partner or other family members establish a rotation schedule for the night care of your preemie. This will allow all caregivers to sleep and/or nap.
Be sure that you are paying attention to your own needs for rest, nutritious food and fun. If you and your partner are not healthy, you will have a difficult time caring for your preemie and perhaps even miss important cues (i.e., feeding and pain signals) by your preemie. -
Step 4
Get Parent Helpers: It is often helpful to enlist family, friends or neighbors to assist with chores. Davis and Stein, authors of Parenting Your Premature Baby and Child: The Emotional Journey, recommend creating a list of chores and errands that can be delegated to your helpers. This will help to ease your burden at home and will allow more time to devote to your preemie.
Arrange for a reliable and knowledgeable babysitter to care for your preemie at least once a week. During this time, go out, get a massage, read a book, spend time with friends or family, or take a nap. It is important that you do not perform house work or other chores during this time, which most parents often do. This time is meant for you to relax and enjoy in whatever way is important for you. If you cannot afford to hire a babysitter, ask a family member or friend to help. You can also barter with other parents for childcare. However, you must be prepared to care for their child or children in return. -
Step 5
Go to Preemie Support Groups: There are numerous support groups for parents of preemies. Some of these groups meet in person, while others are online. Attending a support group is helpful for parents of preemies; you will have an opportunity to share your experiences with other parents, while learning information about preemies. Your NICU team can help you connect with a preemie support group in your community.
While caring for a preemie can be a challenge, you will be able to “rise to the occasion” if you are rested and physically and emotionally healthy! -
Step 6
References: Davis, D. L., & Stein, M. T., (2004). Parenting your premature baby and child: The emotional journey. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing. Feldman, R. (2004, April). Mother-infant skin-to-skin contact (Kangaroo Care): theoretical, clinical, and empirical aspects. Infants & Young Children: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Special Care Practices, 17(2), 145-161. Retrieved October 8, 2008, from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database. Johnson, A. (2007, Nov/Dec). The maternal experience of kangaroo holding. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 36(6), 568-573.
