Breast milk is the single best source of nutrition for your baby and will help him grow and thrive. Learn when your baby will be ready to breastfeed, why it's so important, and all about pumping.
Premature babies are often fed intravenously, or through tubes inserted into one of the baby's veins. This 'IV nutrition' is critical for helping your baby get stronger. Learn how this process works, and how you can keep your breast milk supply up so that when baby is ready he can make the transition to breastfeeding.
Preemie mothers describe their experience with pumping to provide breast milk for their babies, and fathers discuss ways to support the mother in this process.
Dr. Barbara Wesley, a specialist in high risk pregnancies, talks about the importance of breast milk for preemies and the steps preemie mothers can take to provide this critical nutrition for their babies.
Dr. Sue Hall describes TPN and its benefits.
Dr. Sue Hall explains why milk feedings are sometimes stopped.
While having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is probably not what you planned, there are still lots of things you can do to make their stay better while they are getting the specialized care they need. Pumping your breast milk for your baby is one of those things.
5 steps to help you breastfeed is a resource with steps to help moms breastfeed their baby.
How do you hold your baby when you breastfeed? is a resource with illustrations of different positions a baby can be held in while breastfeeding.
Feeding in the NICU is a resource with information about the many ways a baby may be fed in the NICU.
Feeding your baby at home is a resource with information for families about feeding a baby once they're home, including breastfeeding, pumping, bottlefeeding, and spit up.
Neonatal Nurse, Mary Bubbers, gives advice on how to prepare the home and other things to consider when a preemie is being discharged from the NICU.
Your baby will be headed home before you know it. From picking the right car seat to home care instructions, be prepared for the big day.
Every parent looks forward to the day their baby will be discharged from the NICU, but having the baby home is going to present a new set of challenges for you. The more you can be mentally prepared, the easier it should be. This resource lists some realities you may face once you are home with your baby, and ways you can prepare for your baby's discharge.
Understand common precautions to take that are in the best interest of the health of the baby.
Use this chart to document important information for emergency contacts.
This resource provides tips to help you be prepared for bringing your baby home from the hospital.
This letter is to family and friends thanking them for their love and support while their baby was in the NICU. It also lets them know that even though the child is leaving the NICU, there will still be precautions taken for the time being to keep the baby safe and healthy.
This brochure thanks family and friends for all of the love and support received while the baby has been in the NICU. Now that the family is coming home, they will need continued help and support. The doctors and nurses have provided information on how to keep the family and baby safe, happy and healthy, and there will be some extra precautions taken for the time being.
We know that parents usually want their baby to come home as soon as possible. All of the NICU staff's decisions about when to discharge a baby are made with the baby's health and safety as our paramount concerns. We have general guidelines, as shown in this document, but these are individualized as needed in each baby's case.
Taking your baby home on medical equipment information sheet is designed to help families prepare to bring home a baby from the NICU on medical equipment.
Getting ready to take your baby home from the NICU is a resource with information to help families prepare to take their baby home from the NICU, including a checklist.
Getting used to life at home is a resource with common thoughts and feelings NICU parents have after leaving the NICU.
Everyday care is a resource with information for families about everyday life at home after the NICU, including crying and fussiness, handwashing, visiting with friends and family, and child care.
Dr. Sue Hall discusses how to prevent SIDS in your baby.
Learn about brain injuries and bleeding in babies. Includes common brain problems, tests, and what to expect.
PDA, or patent ductus arteriosus, is one of the most common heart conditions in premature babies. Find out how this and other heart problems are treated in the NICU.
Breathing problems are common in NICU babies. NICU staff explain respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other lung problems, and the medicines and devices used to treat them.
Dr. Vedang Londhe explains NEC, or necrotizing enterocolitis.
Dr. Sue Hall discusses the causes of and treatments for a baby going through the withdrawal process.
Dr. Mitchell Goldstein explains what causes jaundicing of the skin and how it can be treated.
Dr. Goldstein, Dr. Walker and Dr. Hall discuss common vision issues among preemies, and how those issues can be avoided and possibly treated.
Learn about preparing for and dealing with surgery if your baby needs it. This program includes information on hospital transfers, pain management, coping, and more.
Dr. Vedang Londhe explains apnea and its current treatments.
Dr. Vedang Londhe defines BPD and addresses how neonatologists are minimizing the risk of developing this disease.
Dr. Sue Hall explains GERD, which is common among premature babies.
Dr. Mitchell Goldstein explains the precautions that are taken for babies at risk for developing hypoglycemia.
Dr. Vedang Londhe explains IVH and why a baby might be at risk for developing it.
Dr. Valencia Walker defines PDA and discusses some common treatments for it.
Dr. Mitchell Goldstien and Dr. Kara Calkins discuss RSV and how it can be prevented and treated, if necessary.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a serious illness and can cause great harm and even death to your premature infant. If your baby has been prescribed RSV Prophylaxis (you may know this under the medication name Synagis), this resources provides a simple way to "Revvin' Up for RSV Season" each month.
You are an integral part of your preemie's care team. This resource, developed by parents of NICU babies impacted by NEC, offers recommendations for questions to ask to help explain NEC, treatments and your role in caring for your infant with NEC.
This resource, developed by Stephanie Vaughan, the founder of The Morgan Leary Vaughan Fund, explains what NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) is and the various support resources available to parents of a baby with NEC.
Caring for your baby with neonatal abstinence syndrome information sheet provides support to families who have a baby with NAS.
When your baby has a serious health condition is a resource with information for families with a baby who needs surgery, has syndrome or birth defect, or who was born prematurely.
Preparing for your baby's medical care after the NICU is a resource with information for families to help them prepare for their baby's medical care after discharge.
Your baby's medical care after the NICU is a resource with information for families about medical care after the NICU, including seeing health care providers, vaccinations, early intervention and developmental milestones.
Common health conditions treated in the NICU is a resource that includes conditions that a baby may be treated for in the NICU.
Bonding with your baby in the NICU can lower her stress levels and yours. Find out how you and NICU staff can work together to give your baby the best care possible.
Preemie parents discuss their experience with providing Kangaroo Care for their babies and provide a few tips for making it easy and comfortable.
Learn how to compile your baby's medical records before discharge for a safe transition home.
Dr. Jeanette Whitney discusses the benefits of practicing kangaroo care with your baby.
Babies that arrive early need extra special care. Prepare for your child's stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, and get tips on bonding with your special needs baby and bringing your preemie home.
Dr. Jeanette Whitney explains the importance of knowing your baby's visual cues, such as crying.
Dr. Erin Hamilton Spence emphasizes the importance of sleep for the development of a baby's brain.
Dr. Mitchell Goldstein discusses potential health problems in babies from head to toe.
Understand what you may experience with having multiple babies in the NICU and what to expect when transitioning home.
This journal is a tool for parents to use in tracking both your preemie and your health and feelings.
Getting to know your baby is a resource to help families learn their baby's cues about when they're ready to interact, their schedules, and how to figure out their baby's age (if they were born prematurely).
Touching and holding your baby is a resource with information for families about kangaroo care and gentle, still touch.
Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) represents a group of heart defects that cause serious, life- threatening symptoms, but are often treatable if detected early. Learn about this simple screening test that uses non-invasive pulse oximetry to measure how much oxygen is in the blood; helping to identify babies who may be affected by CCHD before they leave the hospital.
Dr. Sue Hall explains what a PICC line is and how it helps a baby to be treated in the NICU.
Dr. Vedang Londhe explains what a CPAP machine is, and how it is typically used inside the NICU.
Dr. Vedang Lodhe explains the importance of newborn screenings.
Dr. Kara Calkins discusses the immunization guidelines that are adhered to within the NICU.
Dr. Susan Sward explains the purpose of a blood transfusion, as well as why a baby might need one.
Vaccination Schedule is a resource with the vaccination schedule for a child through age 6. The chart is based on information from the CDC.
Tests in the NICU is a resource with descriptions of tests that a baby may have while in the NICU.
See how your preterm baby's brain continues to grow after birth.
Learn some common reflexes that your baby uses to become comfortable.
Understand how your growing preterm baby develops her senses of smell, hearing, touch and vision.
Understand the signs that signal that your baby is experiencing stress.
See the common signs that show you that your baby is comfortable and content.
Listen to other parents talk about the challenges of having their child in the NICU.
Listen to hospital staff and other parents describe the important role you play while your child is in the NICU.
Watch the strategies used to help your child feel comfortable in the NICU.
Watch how kangaroo care is used to nurture you and your baby.
This booklet shares practical strategies designed to give comfort and help hold onto hope in the weeks ahead. Throughout, you'll find quotes and tips from moms and dads whose journeys were likely similar to your own. Remember that you're not alone - prematurity is more common than people realize, and there are many parents and organizations ready to help your family not only survive, but also thrive. We're here for you and we hope you reach out.
Life after the NICU can be exciting, chaotic, heartwarming, and sometimes scary, but it is always amazing. This resource is designed to help with the transition from hospital to home.
