My Baby's in the NICU: Now What?
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Helpful Advice for Parents of NICU Newborns
The first lens in a series of lenses from the NICU Parent Support Site created to provide information, support, encouragement and resources for parents and Families who suddenly find that they have a NICU Baby--a newborn hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The focus of this lens is on helping parents manage their NICU Baby during the earliest phases of the NICU experience--the first few days to weeks or the initial shock period-- by providing information, encouragement and resources to support NICU Parents and NICU Families.
This lens is being developed by a former parent of a NICU Newborn to inform, support and encourage current NICU Parents and their families. This lens also benefits the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program.
Welcome to the Squidoo Lenses for NICU Parents - My Baby's in the NICU: Now What?
A Special Audio Message from the Lensmaster
If you have found this lens, it is likely because you or someone you know and love has a NICU baby, a newborn or a preemie hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit...You can listen to the 1:10 minute audio welcome message from the lensmaster by clicking on the arrow image below and then on the arrow again to start once you get to the new page:
Wishing you strength during this challenging time,
Comfortdoc
____________
Photo Credit: Levi Szekeres. Headphones. Royalty Free Use.
Surviving the NICU - Moment by Moment
Watching the clock tick off the minutes...
- On life's most difficult days
all that we can do
is simply take things
Moment by Moment.
Kirsti A. Dyer
Sometime the best you can hope to do during times of challenge is to take things one minute at at time, one hour at a time, one day at a time.
Photo Credit: Trish Parisy. Retro Clock. Royalty Free Use.
Become an Informed NICU Parent
Learn What You Can to Improve Peace of Mind and Enhance Communication
Becoming an informed NICU Parent is one way of feeling that you are regaining some control over a situation that often feels like it is out of control. Knowing more about what is going on with your NICU baby can improve your peace of mind and reduce the sense of helplessness often experienced by NICU parents.
Being informed can also improve the communication between a parent and the team in the NICU.
Being informed can also improve the communication between a parent and the team in the NICU.
- What is the NICU?
- One way of starting to understand the NICU is by figuring out the level of care the hospital supplies and what name the hospital applies to the intensive care unit for newborns. These articles come from the NICU Parent Support Blog.
- What term do they use for at your hospital for the intensive care unit for newborns?
- There are many different terms used to describe a intensive care hospital that provides care for newborns and infants. Take the quick poll here and let us know what term your hospital uses.
- How do I get around the NICU
- Learning how to navigate the high-tech, almost space-aged environment, filled with strange sounds, monitor, beepers and equipment keeping your newborn alive is very stressful. This sections offers links for information on getting around the NICU.
- Where can I find more information on the NICU?
- This collection of sites offers some of the best and detailed information that I have found on understanding the many aspects of the NICU.
- Surviving in the NICU - The Next Chapter
- Once you are doing looking at the basic information for this lens, take a look at the lens on How to Survive Your NICU Experience for even more information and suggestions.
Ways of Coping: Stay Connected with Family and Friends
CarePages makes it easy to stay connected with family and friends when your baby is in the NICU.
NICU Parent Support Site Series - The Initial Days and Weeks
Information, Resources & Support for NICU Parents to Manage in the NICU
Read the second lens after you have looked at this first one. Surviving Your NICU Experience provides additional advice for NICU Parents and NICU Families who have made it through the first few days to a week.
Complimentary eBook for NICU Parents Available to Download
Freely Available Resource from the NICU Parent Support Site
NICU Parent Support Site Series - The Final Days
Information, Resources & Support for the End of a Baby's Life
These two lenses are ones we never hope NICU Parents will have to use. The focus of these lenses are for parents whose baby is dying, or has died.
These lenses exist because the reality is that nearly 30,000 babies die each year...
These lenses exist because the reality is that nearly 30,000 babies die each year...
Encouraging Moments for NICU Parents
Reflections, Quotes & Words of Wisdom to Help Survive Your Life Challenge
I am a great believer in the power of words. Words have the ability to inspire, encourage, calm, soothe and assist in the healing process. I have long felt based on my own experiences dealing with people facing challenging events or a life crisis that:- Sometimes, it seems that all you need is the right quote, poem or inspirational message at the right moment to help provide perspective, insight and aid in surviving a life crisis.
...it can be helpful to read the words from others who have been there and survived.
Within this lens you will find scattered Encouraging Moments a specially selected collection of reflections, quotes and small bits of wisdom that can be read in a few seconds when you need an Emergency Pick-Me-Up.
Photo Credit: Thorsten Epping. One Moment. Used with Permission.
What is the NICU?
Learning about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
One way of starting to understand the NICU is by figuring out the level of care the hospital supplies and what name the hospital applies to the intensive care unit for newborns. These articles from the NICU Parent Support Blog help parents start understanding more about the NICU.
- What's in a Name? NICU, NNICU, ICN, SNCN, SBCU, SCN, PICU
- There are a variety of different terms used to describe the hospital care for newborns, sick newborns and premature infants (preemies). This informative blog posting takes a look a some of the terms.
- What are the NICU Levels of Care?
- NICU's are designated by the levels of care that they provide, I being the basic and III or IV being the most complex care. This article looks at the classification of the Neonatal Intensive Care.
What term do they use for at your hospital for the intensive care unit for newborns?
Hospital Care for Preemies and Sick Newborns
The blog posting What's in a Name? NICU, NNICU, ICN, SNCN, SBCU, SCN, PICU looked at some of the terms for the NICU . Take a few seconds to let us know the term your hospital uses or add your term to the list.
If you know of others add yours to the list.
1
NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
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ICN - Intensive Care Nursery
1 point
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ICN - Intermediate Care Nursery
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NNICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
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NNU - Neonatal Unit
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6
PICU - Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
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SBCU - Special Care Baby Unit
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SCN - Special Care Nursery
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SNCN - Sick Newborn Care Unit
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NSCU - Neonatal Special Care Unit
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Getting Around the the NICU
Understanding all of the NICU Equipment
Entering the NICU is like entering a high-tech, almost space-aged environment, filled with strange sounds, monitor, beepers and equipment keeping your newborn alive. In addition to the stress of having a sick newborn, the Neonatal intensive care unit is also a potentially stressful environment.
- NICU Equipment
- The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada has created a very interesting and interactive page that will help NICU Parents to better understand by rolling over and click on different images to explore the equipment and their functions.
- The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- An excellent resource and overview of the NICU from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. This online article also includes an overview of fetal circulation.
Encouraging Moments for NICU Parents - Believing Tomorrow Will be Better
Reflections, Quotes & Words of Wisdom to Help Survive Your Life Challenge
- Hope is important because it can make
the present moment less difficult to bear.
If we believe that tomorrow will be better,
We can bear a hardship today.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Photo Credit: Alexander Abolinsh. ONE... TWO... FREEDOM!!! Royalty Free Use.
Updates from the NICU Parent Support Site Blog
Reflections, Ruminations & Resources from a Former NICU Parent and Grief Educator
It seems that there is a problem with the direct RSS feed for the NICU Parent Support Site Blog, so until this glitch is fixed, you can access the blog through the link below:
- NICU Parent Support Site Blog
- The latest reflections, ruminations and resources from respected physician, educator, author and former parent of a NICU Baby from the NICU Parent Support Site Blog.
Read the NICU Parent Support Site Blog
Get Information, Be Reassured and Keep Updated
The blog for the NICU Parent Support Site is written by respected physician, educator, author and former NICU parent. The NICU Parent Support Site blog is written to provide information, encouragement and resources to support NICU Parents and NICU Families.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byEncouraging Moment - Get Ready for the Roller Coaster Ride
Reflections, Quotes & Words of Wisdom to Help Survive Your Life Challenge
The experience of being in the NICU is often described as a roller coaster ride. It is a series of highs and lows, ups and down, times that are exhilarating followed by times when all you can do is close your eyes and hang on for dear life.This passage comes from Dianne I. Maroney, a NICU Nurse, NICU Parent and owner of the website premature- infant.com describes the Roller coaster ride of the NICU:
- For years I had been telling parents, "Having a baby in the NICU is a roller coaster ride."
Although accurate, the analogy pales beside the reality. The range of emotions is beyond imagining.
There is the moment of joy when she opens her eyes peacefully, followed by panic at the slightest hint of trouble.
You can read more from her article on "Helping Parents Survive the Emotional "Roller Coaster Ride" in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit" published on the Prematurity.org site
Photo Credit: Peter Hamza. Rollercoaster. Royalty Free Use.
NICU Parent Support Audio & Podcast Channel
Listen to Audio Messages of Information, Encouragement and Support
A "useful and comforting guide" and "a very powerful creation" one that should be of significant assistance to NICU families from the NICU Parent Support site.
How can I help and care for my NICU Baby?
Suggestions for Participating in Your NICU Baby's Care
Although NICU Parents often feel that they are unable to contribute to their fragile baby's care, there are many things that NICU Parents can do for their baby and for themselves, to let your child know that you care.
- How can I help my baby?
- An article from the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk, VA that includes a section on ways of helping a NICU baby.
- Coping and Caring in Different Ways: Understanding and Meaningful Involvement
- This article originally published in the journal of pediatric nursing provides suggestions for ways that parents can find their own unique paths to meaningful involvement in caring for their infant.
- Journaling Your Way through Your NICU Experience
- Many social workers recommend that parents write down what is happening during their time in the NICU. Journaling is one way of doing just that.
- Music's Ability to Soothe and Nurture the NICU Baby
- A look at how music therapy is being used to positively impact and alter the environment of NICU premature babies and sick newborns.
- Read to Your Baby - Books for NICU Babies Program
- An innovative program from the University of Missouri that provides NICU parents with a way of helping their baby grow and develop while doing something that lets them feel like a normal parent--read their newborn a book.
- Leave a Zaky hand with Your NICU Baby - Providing Comfort When You are Not There
- The Zaky is an award-winning ergonomic, bonding, therapeutic positioning pillow, designed by a NICU Parent especially for premature babies. It is a way of providing comfort to your NICU when you are not able to be at the hospital.
- Use Water Blessing Lables to Turn Water (or Medicine) into Liquid Prayers
- An intriguing concept--clear static-cling labels that can be used to label water or medicine and enhance positive thoughts and healing in the hospital setting.
- Considerations for Touch and Massage in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- An article originally published in Neonatatal Network looks at the benefits and considerations when using touch and/or massage therapy with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- Newborn Medicine - Kangaroo Care
- From Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston an informative article on Kangaroo Care, a technique shown to be beneficial for NICU parents and their newborns. Kangaroo Care is the practice of giving infants skin-to-skin contact with their parents, enabling them to share warmth and natural closeness.
- Touch therapy soothes infants in unit
- An article from the Vanderbilt Medical Center's Reporter from 2002 on the benefits of touch therapy for infants in the NICU setting.
- What can I do to support myself during this challenging time?
- Perhaps one of the most important things that parents can do is to care for themselves. This section offers simple suggestions for taking care of yourself so you can support your newborn baby in the neonatal intensive care.
Journaling Your Way Through Your NICU Experience
Resources for Keeping a Journal for Your NICU Baby
Many parents find writing or journaling their experience to be a way of marking special occasions and finding a way to keep a chronology of events. These are some of the available resources for helping keep a NICU journal.
- Baby: A Keepsake Journal
- From the March of Dimes a beautiful booklet that provides a place for parents to write about their new baby, including milestones, difficult days, days of celebration, hopes and dreams.
- Early Passage: A Journal for Parents of Premies
- A beautifully designed journal for NICU Parents of Preemies to help keep a record of you baby's NICU experience. It contains many thoughtful questions and useful touches such as pockets for photos and mementos.
- Journey's Into the NICU
- This book was created by Leslie Archambault for parents with children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It includes information on the therapeutic benefits of journaling and scrapbooking and provides journal prompts and methods on how to scrapbook this difficult time.
- Hearthworks - My NICU Journal
- My NICU Journal is a book that will help parents record the milestones their preemie accomplishes as he or she improves and grows in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- NICU Diary - A journal for preemie babies
- This special journal was designed especially for moms and dads who have babies in the NICU or Special Care Nursery. Social Workers and nurses often encourage parents to keep a daily journal. This journal is a way to do just that.
Book Recommendation for Parenting a NICU Baby
A Look at Parenting a Premature Baby and Child from Dianne I. Maroney R.N.
Dianne I. Maroney R.N. co-wrote this books of excellent information for to NICU parents written by a former NICU Parent
Baby Tags and Charms for Parents of Preemies and NICU Babies
Here is a list of some of the sites that make jewelry for NICU parents. I have one of the Baby Charmed necklaces. Little Jules even makes jewelry for NICU Babies.
1
Baby Charmed - Personalized Charms
Hand-crafted personalized Baby Charms from fine silver. Each charm is individually hand-crafted with your child's name and birthdate. This designer's baby was admitted to the NICU.1 point
2
Little Jules - Jewelry for Preemies & Moms
Personalized handcrafted jewelry for moms and for preemies. Little Jules was created by a former NICU mother when she couldn't find a bracelet small enough for her premature son.1 point
3
Preemie Purple Hearts - Providing Solace & Community for Families of Premature Babies
Preemie Purple Hearts was designed as a symbol of the unity and strength for the online preemie community--parents, families and hospital staff.1 point
4
Preemie Tags - Personalized Premature Baby Gifts, Preemie Birth Commemerative Gifts
Preemie Tags are designed to commemorate you and your infants remarkable journey through prematurity, the NICU and its aftermath. A percentage of proceeds for every Preemie Tag sale will go to the CNS (Children's Neurobiological Solution) Foundation.0 points
More Resources for NICU Parents to Use with NICU Babies
Here are other products, resources or article about techniques that parents can use to support their NICU babies.
1
Music's Ability to Soothe and Nurture the NICU Baby
Music looks to be another way for caregivers to po more...0 points
2
Books for NICU Babies Program
Encouraging parents to do something normal with th more...0 points
3
Music CD's Used for Newborns in NICU Music Studies
A collection of some of the titles that have been more...0 points
4
Water (or Medicine) Blessing Labels Website
Static-cling water labels can be used to turning w more...0 points
5
Water Blessing Lables Turn Water (or Medicine) into Liquid Prayers
An article discussing the potential uses for Water more...0 points
6
The Zaky - An extra Hand (or two)
Zaky was designed for premature babies that have t more...0 points
How Can I Help a NICU Parent?
Ways for Family and Friends to Support the NICU Family
When a newborn gets admitted to the neonatal intensive care, it can be difficult for friends and family to know what to say or what to do. These articles offer some helpful suggestions.
- What to Say or Do for a NICU Parent
- In this article the author (your lensmaster) gives some helpful suggestions of what to say and what to do for the parents when a baby gets admitted to the NICU.
Coming Soon - My Baby's in the NICU: Now What?
An eBook of Information, Support & Resources for Parents who hold the littlest hands
In addition to information, encouragement and resources, this lens will feature updates about and excerpts from the soon-to-be available e-Book, My Baby's in the NICU: Now What? written by two former NICU parents as the resource we wanted, but couldn't find to support our family, when faced the sudden, unexpected Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission of our youngest daughter. Other Squidoo Resources for Parents of Preemies and NICU Babies
Resources and recommendations from Parents of Preemies and Squidoo Lensmasters
Inspiring and Hopeful Resources for NICU Parents
Resources For Parents Caring for NICU Babies - Preemies & Sick Newborns
A collection of resources to instill hope and be inspiring for NICU Parents.
Music's Ability to Soothe and Nurture the NICU Baby
Using Music in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
One of my few happy memories of our NICU experience is watching my daughter sleeping under the special bilirubin treatment lamps with her "shades" on and listening to "tunes" with her mini headphones. I could almost imagine her lying on the beach in the sun as a teenager listening to music.A recent article this week on using music therapy with preemies brought back this memory...
You can read the rest of the NICU Parent Support Site Blog entry here.
The blog article also includes suggestions for using music in the NICU with newborns.
Music Titles Used for Newborns in NICU Music Studies
The following includes some of the titles that have been used in NICU music studies. Studies have not been done to compare the relative effectiveness of any of these titles.
Before using any of these with your newborn, be sure to listen to the music yourself first.
Before using any of these with your newborn, be sure to listen to the music yourself first.
Music Recommendations to Calm and Soothe NICU Parents
When I think of relaxing music, I think of Steven Halpern.
Steven Halpern, Ph.D. is one of my personal favorites for calming and soothing music. He has been at the leading edge of the growing understanding of the relationship between music, body, mind and spirit. Halpern's recordings are used in hospitals, healing clinics, and leading spas worldwide.
Listen to the audio clips on Amazon to pick your favorites:
Listen to the audio clips on Amazon to pick your favorites:
Recipient of the All4Care Award - Lens & Lensmaster Award 2007 for Charity Work
Squidoo - An Award Winning Series
I am honored to be among the first to receive the All4Care award, a new award for a Lens or Lensmaster who is doing outstanding work for charity sponsored by Janusz Biela.Not only was this lens nominate, but the entire NICU Support Site Lens Series and the CarePages lens were all recognized.
These lenses have been developed to provide information, resources and support for NICU Parents while generating royalties to benefit the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program.
NICU Products on CafePfess
Just a small sampling of the variety of different products for NICU Parents and their babies available at CafePress. You can choose from shirts, tote bags, mugs, journals, magnets, stickers and mouse pads.
NICU grad Toddler T-Shirt
Price: 
NICU grad Infant Creeper
Price:
March of Dimes and Share-Wear on CafePress
Support the March of Dimes with Products for NICU Parents
A variety of products create to support the March of Dimes, Share Your Story community website for NICU Parents. You can choose from shirts, tote bags, mugs, journals, magnets, stickers and mouse pads.
Remember that purchasing these NICU products through this lens benefits the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program.
Follow this link for the Share-Wear Products.
Remember that purchasing these NICU products through this lens benefits the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program.
Follow this link for the Share-Wear Products.
Reader Feedback on My Baby's in the NICU: Now What?
Your place for comments, messages, blessings and suggestions
If you find the information on the site helpful or useful to you or your family, please be sure to pass on the word about the site (email), rate this site and leave a message (Reader Feedback).
Do make sure to add your feedback, comments, blessings and suggestions for topics or improving the My Baby's in the NICU: Now What? lens.
While you are waiting for this lens to develop, subscribe to the NICU Parent Support Blog or the NICU Parent Support eMail List for periodic updates, articles, inspirational messages and NICU resources.
Remember this lens benefits the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program.
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emilysantos
Dec 9, 2010 @ 9:48 pm | delete
- Great lens! At first it may seem like a foreign place, but understanding the NICU and what goes on there can help reduce your fears and let you better help your baby. Only very young babies (or babies with a condition linked to being born prematurely) are treated in the NICU — they're usually infants who haven't gone home from the hospital yet after being born. How long these infants remain in the unit depends on the severity of their illness.
Emily
Business Process Outsourcing Philippines
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Huddysmum
Feb 13, 2009 @ 4:37 am | delete
- A very diverse and interesting array of information and products for families and friends of prems. Visit my website www.BubBornEarly.com for more prem info. and to purchase The BubBE Book - an NICU journal and milestone book.
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herbie66
Jun 12, 2008 @ 5:49 pm | delete
- Welcome to the 'Pregnancy and Baby' Group
( http://www.squidoo.com/groups/pregnancy-baby )
5 stars for your great lens!
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Edmands
Jul 29, 2007 @ 10:53 am | delete
- I wish this lens existed many years ago when my first child spent his first 10 days in the NICU for a respiratory issue. Some of the issues my wife and I had to deal with at the hospital made us choose a home birth for our second child.
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nicu101
Jun 21, 2007 @ 12:29 pm | delete
- Excellent. Loved the music ideas. I'm hoping to use one of them to include in our nicu care packages!
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About the Author
by Comfortdoc
Comfortdoc
I am the parent of a former NICU baby, a physician, health educator, author & founder of the NICU Parent Support Site. For even more info see my longe... more »
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