A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 67
Family and friends
Tips for Grandparents supporting
parents with a baby in the NICU
Your precious grandchild has arrived and requires special care in a neonatal unit.
Of course you’re worried for the baby’s health, but you’re also concerned for the parents
and how they’ll cope with the journey ahead of them. It’s natural to want to ease your child’s
pain and anxiety but it’s your ongoing love and support that will make the most difference.
Here are some ideas for how you can express that love and support
in a way that will benefit the parents.
PRACTICAL SUPPORT MIGHT INCLUDE...
• Acknowledging the baby’s birth – sending flowers or
gifting a diary to record milestones.
• Telling the parents what a good job they’re doing
passing on other information and updates.
• Offering to drive parents to and from the hospital and
providing meals or snacks.
aren’t able with the parents consent.
• Keeping in regular contact if you live far away.
and how you admire their strength, dedication and
parenting skills.
• Listening to the parents’ fears and concerns.
• Spending quality time with any siblings – this can help
• Visiting your grandchild when the parents
• Complimenting the baby at each visit – focusing on
family resemblances and their fighting spirit.
• Offering to notify people of the baby’s birth and
them feel as important as the baby.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT MIGHT INCLUDE…
• Reassuring the parents – it’s common for them to
feel guilty or responsible for their baby’s condition.
• Avoiding being critical of your grandchild’s
care in the hospital – babies in the neonatal
unit are sometimes handled differently to
full-term babies.
• Updating your whooping cough vaccine before
visiting the baby and staying away if unwell.
BE STRONG FOR YOUR CHILD
Above all, our best advice is to always be guided by the parents. Sometimes what
you think is helpful may not be, so take the lead from them. Don’t expect praise
or thanks – your child might be in a state of shock or be too overwhelmed to even
notice all your efforts.
Finally, recognise that you too may need support so seek help if required.
It is likely your child won’t have the emotional capacity to look after you.
This is the time for you to be strong for your child.
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Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
lifeslittletreasures.org.au
64
@lltfoz
@lifeslittletreasuresfoundation
