A Guiding Hand for Families in Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 17
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation and Our Services
Downloadable Tip Sheets
We have developed a range of tip
sheets designed to help you and your
family adjust to having a baby in
hospital. These include:
the
staff in
Tips for Unit
alds
NeonFat
rien Tips for nav
igat
ing the
BY...
nd
do,
SUPPORT
NICU and haSpe
ya
t to R EMOTIONAL
OFFEcial Car
w
mil
e
know it.
r Fa
le tois an
unit
atal
al un
s fo
cause
ruggcan
e
in the neon
onat
a baby
e that
serv
g lptoyou.
ht st
rienc
tion
Tip
Having
a ne
tin
expeig
only
In addi
nts.or
helming u m pare
to he are
...
ay
is in
• Tips for navigating the NICU and SCN
• Tips for Dads with a baby in the
NICU or SCN
• Tips for Family and Friends
• Tips for Grandparents supporting
parents with a baby in the NICU
• Tips for staff in the Neonatal Unit
pp
nts su
pare in the
rand
baby
for G
Tips s with a
nt
pare or SCN
NICU
ts that it
ring paren
• reasu on to feel a mix
is comm ons.
of emoti
a photo
to send
• offeringbaby to the
tion
the
the
s
atulating
• congr ts on their baby’
paren
milestones.
ts
telling paren
• avoiding should be
how they
feeling.
sive
being dismis
ts’
of
a C-sec
s nts
overw
forby
• avoiding ishing paren
’T r when
is m
s, pare
, yo s ba
l stres
’s
issue
and dimin
e tip
– thher from
ty
nts
nd
ONmothe
emotiona
preve
a artum
yone
frie hel npostp
concerns.
hers g
thesmous anxies and D
. of bed.
that
enor
iefout
ever
the usua
erWith
parents us to
with
all d
to otgettin
w ronted th
ne
s’ gr ingvic
This stres
in e –
y,conf
reassuring
anxio
h.many
of our team by re•ntengag
ge
ncer often
ing • it is okay to betheir baby.
ad ns on topics
gone
through ficantly withthe bahaving
TRY
t tobaby’s healt
rsatio
toow TO REMEM
pa conve
or sand pu
hold
their
a co
kn
of a prematu
ced signi the birth
nting than the baby
the
touch or BER TO:
arouve
pare
rere
ease.
As
be redu sickstaff
or
ath;
• Accept that
baby,
. we
feel
touc
imise ndve pa other
understa
Com
or
We’ a can ort from
traum
courseyou
how help them
your
y in
• Avoid conflict
stressful and
max
to help
Of partner
supp
may
or gi erent.
. unit.experienc
BY...
sta
totraumat
and
be
ce. OUR
AGE
this guide
re ic
nts’
l faENC
the right
ask
it can bentfor
s – helps
how
to recognise
different
parents
pare
you are
ataAND
byted when
e crea
the
ay tsemotions.
and ing
parents both
is diff
terfe
d In
re
on
ing going
ng
their
we’v
m
em
in
R
ba
baby
ne
rstan
er
allowi
provid
ey
pa
why
through a
•
or
requires
e in the
a OWEby
th
pa
unde
e e of
rn ns of th
off NICU
in
care
ts ts
paren
That. ’s
ions and ationdiffi
EMP
and
estio
cult time.
e th als
or SCN.
quest
•r Make
jou
en
benefi
sugg
n car
e ba theev
child’s
t or some
.. profe
mssion
. self-care
time
ing
for
ththe
t inform
do
for
oting ndyou
on
cial ink
nce
lco Here
l gifWith
are
hones
healthwe
ntsspe
ks
to recharge
an
• s.
•dprom
Acknowledge
se ng while
ls. so –much
DO
parees
te
e.tfu cia
explanation
ea
Ab are th cerne
–
differe and
that the
breas
attfeedi
tbacnt
clear
uncertai
ereduce
of to
support
stress.
unit:
conittissenormal
sodo
when is not
rting
persp
nts ectiv
oughcan
u onty,
moestthose
requir
atal
t th s ting parentssituation
s tosuppo
takeoverwhe
toto
your fault
als
fork.
also
nfeel
andone
t on
outo warent
and no
pare rd, sthyou
’reyo
thedneon
done
d an
ke theunabl
ca
•sic
spec
• upda
kis
Share
gh
abal
is to blame.
alongsid
rt – re
eof
iveother
your
ca cemen ey throu
n.
ma
pa
who are ureaso
the a thing
thoughts,
t youlmedTa
en bu
are po
a lrange
n’ttests are being
arr
ewil
nalktur thte
Also
s nc
emotion
ver sup
for.Listen
fears
ss and. do
late with no
un journ
harie
s.That’s
n wh
whate
feelings
to your partner
uled
they’re •sched
their
rets
alth, them. It’s
ct we’ve
ld pe
anyod paren
why
with
s.
what
een
rt tha
he
ogothers.
ratu rld
lisstecollated
if any without
an ndchi
ing tips
po
s, e.g .
lov
these
wh g the
is exba
by’
Expe you
have judgement.
th gra
to
d of
’s pr cttheir
ering
advising
ion child
thamtily
• trustin byabout
d sup
Cong the woe birus
eatime
helpthres
s during
low
think
ll ththe
tively y your
an
proceduresand why.
ah
on
their
is
to
e
cio
fa
ac
ga
in
ing
o
ba
tru
tests/
AND
ts.
the
intuiti
HOW
for
e
‘I’m
lled
NICU and
e ren the
lov
int ur pre
inswledg
th d ’ and journe COM
st th ge
thpa
SCN.
s –ingING
ackno
…cance
unity TO GET INVOLV
can expthe
been
E…
ED INparen
Yo
T BY...
YOUR
ts to
gego
worrie
ise andandrns.imm
CARING
u? the A WEL
KDE
BABY:LI
on
MEN
LU
to po ’re led
tVisit
lk’. ho
FOR
yo
es eir
giving
’reyou nefior
IRON
with VIDEyou
esrsaENV
you ow cop
promwishconce
ouw
S
s chart.
to TGINC
blood
mIVE
encouraging
ts GH
aree PROt it’s
to ta for‘Y
th paren
• Read
. l be
baby.
taking
stories and•g?
gtheir ebaby’
iftg’
wil
MI
to their
Com nts’ wh
bu orORT
Ackny’ll
tive waentideass like tha
soon
Tyour
d.tySUPP
sing
IN
usinto
read
asbaby
allowingOR
• en
‘How on
the
foc
wherey stronan injection
know
ua settinging
-s they
hospital allows,
ile th • Iftsyour
TH
t –on
their baby
sp xie supp ing
wr
know
also
patsrethat
waks
ask drean
SUPP
visi
whit. paren
a IVE
your
whilevoice
hwa
spir
if yosom
EFFECT
baby ALhold
engage
ls, do ng the parentinge the
are
speak
letting
inand
y th
an
not
creat
loo STRATE
and will
in family
ing•ep
talk
eac
can
INle,G
be
r.
ION as possib
gare
with
thOTtal
they
• advisi
they
byer.
Ycting
GIESbeTO
He•rere tsscan
ysoothed
ifat
reloca
– saanoth
mea
centred
s docto
when theyble
ir fiitght
HELP
’s sle also
care which
k in ‘I’m heparen
ok
EM
hospiYOU
r ba
SA
• Ask
one
ethintheby
you will
respe
htwhilst
COPE:
their baby’
the bab
providing
cokeep
m
includes helping
to
and
rs. the
suppo
for
sitivert ‘You staff
you with
ingready
nig
to
they’re
Chec u’ or
sosthis.
forta change
s –about
anwith
to
bewithin
ent
dog.youbaby
nce
OID
Connect with
job
opportun
yours
full dity
e po ’ orucinginformed
tieelf
bla
ow
h, m
plim
em... of•time.
nappies, tubes
agoo
to bond
the your
AVother
of yo on th •tintrod
LUmDE
ahead
baby’s
job
Com
lkthem
resem
unco
letting
with
u kn n ge
n parents
condition
• that
BY...
and preparing
ts,du
atta your
Engt
ily
s to as
in theunit
baby.
ir stre
and
s
T INC
castand
l.the
waGH
ea the paren
GUID
estic
caring
le ’t yo entscawh
,be
family
treatmen
and
ing acces as for feeds.
foring
ita
fambut • under
additiona
multip
will
tto
gs
ire
plan,
dn
callon
Focu a gr
ge
• provid inform
ation
spAND
they
•adm
T MI
domyou
Talk
rking ts may
CATE
lin
toskil
Di
give
youyou
know
the
ls.
inl the par
while
OR
galso
ho
emotiona
nurses cer
yourself
ns. • Educate yourself on
pa
t hu
sib
how
ion
baby
stEDU
paren
check
e
much
permissio
PP
din
l
ts
support
–
r
to
withfor
unit.
ing
about
doing
their
l
.
ing
at
ge
n
and
th
tal
your
SU
day
t
sen
paren
a
fo
having
toneona
l.
leahow
le.r? baby’s situation
con
in kangaroo
– itafrom
understan
m breaks
ent
• Tell
h sp
ou AL
n’t baby
. nes
times aita
in. possib
ding.
teach
Atand in
ortake
sto
paring
cuddles
birtho
their
lp TIC
rs and
careare in the
sp baby. doi
themgeso you feelalempower
with
infconstant
mile
ng by is•and
AC
their
your
monitorin
h pa
u did
nsiveg onho
He
baby
ry,
s’y. fea
ordthey
PR
• Try
onbaby’s tsewhat
n forift big fying medic
way.
ed
and
they
bation to touch
toe
ncare stable.
uc mo ge
yopar
to maintain
ing
ent
h
threc
nd
prevent
the dedica
• simpli to help
ssthe paren
th
to
sooth
na
andin caring
re for
expe y’sin.birt
- least
(some
to
kind
do they
lau ledgin
•gasking
pa
callsome
noverwhelm
typeto
sotomcom
sry
the
called
of they
your baby.
baby’s
it is
language
ntbe
soca
ny ate•s.being ts
pregg paren
bab
to•dia
ke
sin–tsit’s en
when routine.
is At
be called
likea
ng to•urhelpin
Write
re
.
nower to ing
their
to the
entio
paupd
ent
about
like
YOU
phone
paren
information
for
eni
t be
m
myour
e ta
care.
wh BENEFIT
MAY
not
par
• Make
eFIND
• Ack Off or gifte pa
List
understand
usroo
ple of
to in yo the
time•ction
to
to
experienc
times the
al
sibl
?
’).s co
to
get
th may
ers
e,and
easier
PROFES
reflectingthe someenough
pon
’/’Dadnt
’sels
rm
em
ring kanga
neFROM
ifytpeo
conne
flow
no
ts in baby
SIONAL
hild
on
sleep andssu
no
re tion
not
y,‘Mum
your
paren
/sh res
rma
HELP
ery
thefrom
journey
their only
Drivetock
ing
IF YOU
meo
pa
so
be OF
• Rea rest.
Helty orANY
theFOLLOW
a tour of
l evScanNCE
the
THE
sondc
er info
ering tri
baby.
This
ing
r gra
natal EXPERIE
and
can
• Try
know far.
ld baby,
l gui • involv
help
ts you
cks. their
to
fee
ing
ING:
• provid
they forI their
s to
keep
tch neo
• Off be on oth
ho
caring
spita
of you
yourtoregular
so paren
can maintain
process
g, lchang
ry ent
or sna
on.
wain the
n ica
to
exercise
is.
• Anger
your
QR code
Will e.g.
par
bathin
alsemotions
and
and con
er to nurse
e ho
projecting
thing
e during
passing
toies
hostility
crit
notbalanced
s –• this
a diti
everyme
g.bab
n ca
ng
erentlyth
Off to driv
views eat
or g bei
where
feedinha
to visit our
he
l – rd
siblning
viding this challengin
• Mood
g y. personal es,diet.
d diff/her in • Physical symptom
y scree
religion ts.
of
ering
pita
protime.
s
ts
idin Wand
beswings
h any
and
sophi
such as tightness
. dle
hos
paren
• Off
website.
trying
han
wit
• Celebrate
l and• offering aeprivac
restlessne
• Avo
theebab
ust ing
the
the
him
esby
QR (philo
ts are
in the
the paren
inform
ssso they
asbaby.
in
tim
onto
m
fi
•
rsts
)
ba
chest,
s
•
paren
e
Talk
nt
ule
ve
etim
hospita
It
nausea,
to
lity
including the
th
family,
entethics
when tfeed
ur
car som
gs,
ortatheir
friends,
qua
anthe par
yosched
Detachm
feedin
and joint pains,muscular
visit hold,ing
u lea
dent
are •the
makinfigrst touch,
ies.
workers Sc
as imp
andand
attenyo
nding tosocial
l breas
nappy
night y
ts to t.ite•. avoid
or
enade
unit rm of
can
bab
change,
isolation
sweats, headache
paren
• Spe them feequalifiing
thewh
sen
edhild
feed,
, weighings
if -te
ptions about
bs
mental
w do
co
coming
s, nit
ay.
baths
health
con
es.
touch
mu
p
off
family
assum
s
full
inform
to
ndc
we
shortness
or
•
Ho
aw
specialist.
ts
hel
r
ent ouyour
breathing
of ine
com
gra about
breath
Sharing
visit
• Scattered
hte? chang
isolett
support
the parenunabl
e to and
and irrational
you are
live fargetting
yourthoughts
and/or a racing
n
the par feelings
nig
onl
are
thought
atio
iting ecan
pulse.
tubes removed.
with child.andtac
before
t if you as
processes
they
und
n our
• Vis
abl theirprovide
sfo
Joi
parents vaccineregularly.
comfort,
con
the
n’t
r
ure
ell.
support
gh
are
ulalting
eas
z
le e.g.
and valuable
consu
unw
in• reg
nity
as possib
ing cou away if
@lltfo littletr
commu
and
muchwh
ping insights
oop
help you
@lifesour online
r your
manage
• Kee
Join
Scan the QR code
staying
you
feelings.
ndation
dating baby and
to access our
@lltfoz
uresfou
• Up
the
tletreas
s.
parent FREE
from Guidebooks
by the the leadand
u
of umore
es.org.a
ded
rg.a
e
treasurte fors.o
CHILD
so tak lifeslittle
be gui
ure
in a stainformati
YOUR
on
always y not be, might be s. slittletreas
FOR
is to
d
l ma
ort life
ONG
uired.
advice k is helpfu – your chil your eff
p if req you.
best
nks
ice all
k hel
r
all, our at you thin or tha
n not
t so seeto look afte
Above es wh ect praise ed to eve
ty
suppor
etim
elm
need nal capaci
Som Don’t exp
may
overwh
m.
otio
d.
too
too
the
r chil
t you
or be
the em
shock
ise tha n’t have ng for you
, recognr child wo to be stro
ally
lifeslittletreas
Fin
ures.org.au
ly you for you
It is like the time
is
This
visiting
BE STR
@lifeslit
the QR
Scan visit our
to
.
code
website
ity
mun
Join our online
community
e com
@lltfoz
our onlin
ion
@lifeslittletreJoin
asuresfounda sfoundat
tion
treasure
@lltfoz
slittle
@life
au
.org.
reasures
lifeslittlet
Download these from our website:
www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au
Online Community Network
Our Facebook and Instagram pages have an amazing community of families
who have all been through a similar journey. Families who join are willing to
share and help each other and this can provide a great source of information
and comfort to you.
Join our community at:
@LifesLittleTreasuresFoundation
@lltfoz
Parent Support Network
This network offers the opportunity to connect
with our trained peer support staff who are
parents with the lived experience of welcoming
a premature or sick baby into the world. We also
provide referrals to community services via this
platform.
Please call 1300 697 736
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
14
