A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 63
Family and friends
you more time to spend with your baby, your partner and
your other children.
For further
information
and to read more
partner stories,
see our website
The love and care you provide as a dad/partner can make
a difference to your baby’s health and development but it is
also really important to look after yourself. It is hard to juggle
running your home, work and visits to the hospital. Try to look
after the basics, like eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep. You
should also talk about how you are feeling to someone who understands
like our peer support dads who run our NICU Connections for Dads online
Facebook group.
Head to www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au website for more information.
At work
Talk to your boss about the situation. If your employer knows what’s
happening, they may be able to give you more flexibility with your job. If you
have other children at home, you may be eligible for in-home care support check with Centrelink for more details.
If you find it difficult to deal with other people’s questions, you could try
explaining things to a colleague you trust and ask them to pass on this
information to others on your behalf. Sometimes sharing your story with
your team will help to give them a better perspective of what you are
currently going through.
With baby
Discuss opportunities for you to participate in caring for your baby including
feeding, bathing, nappy changes and Kangaroo Care with your partner and
baby’s care team. This can help you and your baby to get to know each other,
to feel more involved as well as help take some of the pressure off your partner.
Keep going
You are a valuable member of the team. It’s important
that you find ways to care for yourself and each
other. You and your partner may benefit from simple
things like going to the cafe together and catching up
over a cuppa to discuss how things are going for you
individually, as a couple, and as a family. This is the
perfect opportunity to check in with each other to see
how you both are coping.
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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