A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 45
Your baby and you
Things You Can Do For Your Baby Whilst
in the Neonatal Unit
Caring for your baby can be overwhelming. It’s normal to
feel concerned about how to manage wires and tubes and
knowing when to touch or comfort your baby.
You are the most important person to your baby. They recognise your
voice, smell and you can offer them support and reassurance. This section
provides ideas of how you can care for your baby in the neonatal unit.
Parental voice and singing:
• If your baby is unwell and not able
to be cuddled, using your voice
by reading or singing can help let
them know that you are nearby.
• Singing during Kangaroo Care
(skin to skin) has been found to
reduce babies’ heart rates and
stress levels.
• Early reading for babies helps to
develop language and writing
skills when they are older.
• Some babies may be too unwell
and find touch too stimulating
• Try resting your hands on your baby
and checking their response.
• Use firm strokes rather than light
touch or try supportive holding.
• Placing your hands on your baby’s
feet or belly can help them feel like
they are back in the uterus.
• Place your hand on the bottom of
your baby’s feet and let him/her
gently push against you.
Mouth care with breast milk:
• Some babies are too unwell or too
small to feed.
• Using expressed breast milk for
mouth care provides your baby
with a nice taste and the immune
benefits of human milk.
Feeding:
Touch:
• Touch is very important for
babies as it helps them to learn to
understand their surroundings.
• For babies unable to feed,
offering them milk can provide
a pleasant taste and practice
sucking. Ask your nurse if this is
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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