A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 75
Going home
Self-Care: Preventing fatigue and exhaustion
When your baby comes home, it is important to have realistic ideas of what
to expect. You could find yourself already exhausted due to work, outside
family life and having to travel back and forth from the hospital. It is easy
to get overwhelmed so just remember that it is very important to take time
out for yourself – not only when your baby is in hospital but when your baby
comes home.
Remember, happy healthy parents make for a happy family! Before your
baby comes home, it might be worth sitting down and thinking about what
activities keep you well and talk about the importance of these with your
partner and family.
Ideas for Self-Care at home:
• Getting a long stretch of sleep
• Spending time with your partner
• Catching up with family and friends
• Exercising
• Reading
• Listening to music
• Meditating
• Journaling
• Taking a long relaxing bath
We know how important it is to look after yourself as a parent with a baby in
a neonatal unit so we have developed our Little Bag of Calm especially for
you. The bag includes milestone cards and mindfulness activities as well as
tips and tools all aimed at encouraging self-care.
Order A Little Bag of Calm from: www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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