A Guiding Hand for Families in Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 39
Special Care Nursery (SCN)
Keep going
You are a valuable member of the
team, and you need to find ways to
keep going. You and your partner
may both benefit from simple things
like going to the hospital cafe, having
a cup of tea/coffee together and
discussing how things are going and
how you both are coping. Talk to
staff if you are finding it hard to sleep
properly or have other problems.
They may be able to give you some
useful advice. Your GP may also be
able to help.
Source: © Copyright Bliss 2011
When things
become
too much
It’s natural to
be anxious and
worried about your
partner and new
baby. If you find yourself
experiencing some of the
symptoms below, and they’re severe
or prolonged in nature, then the
best thing you can do for yourself
and your family is to seek help.
Some of the symptoms that may
indicate its time to seek help:
• Unreasonable anger, aggression
and hostility
• A sense of numbness and
detachment, of ‘being outside of
oneself’, distant and isolated from
the world around you
• Changes in appetite, eating and
drinking patterns
• Physical symptoms such as
tightness in chest, nausea,
muscular and joint pains, night
sweats, headaches, shortness of
breath, stomach problems and
racing pulse
• Feeling sad or depressed
Resources for dads
• www.pillarofstrength.com.au
• www.sms4dads.com
• www.howisdadgoing.org.au
• www.mantherapy.org.au
• www.mensline.org.au
• www.beyondblue.org.au (Dadvice)
• www.matherapy.org
(see 24-Hour Cotside Assistance The Baby Manual For Dads)
• The Dad Factor: by Richard Fletcher
A book on how the father-baby bond
helps a child for life
• Difficulties concentrating and
forgetfulness
• Intolerance, mood swings,
jitteriness, jumpiness and
restlessness
• Disturbed and restless sleep
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
36
