A Guiding Hand for Families in Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 45
Special Care Nursery (SCN)
Tips for navigating the
NICU and Special Care
With many of our team having gone
through the birth of a premature or
sick baby, we understand how
stressful and traumatic it can be for
parents when their baby requires care
in the NICU or SCN.
With so much uncertainty, it is normal
to feel overwhelmed alongside a range
of other emotions. That’s why we’ve
collated these tips to help you during
your time in the NICU and SCN.
EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU COPE:
• Ask staff to keep you
informed about your
baby’s condition and
treatment plan, but also
give yourself permission
to take breaks from
constant monitoring to
prevent overwhelm.
• Connect with other
parents in theunit
for additional
emotional support and
understanding.
• Write about your
experience, reflecting
on your journey so far.
This can help you
process your emotions
during this challenging
time.
• Make time to get
enough sleep and rest.
• Talk to family, friends,
social workers or a
qualified mental health
specialist. Sharing your
thoughts and feelings
can provide comfort,
support and valuable
insights and help you
manage your feelings.
• Try to maintain some
type of routine.
TRY TO REMEMBER TO:
• Accept that you or
your partner may be
experiencing different
emotions.
• Avoid conflict and
recognise you are
both going through a
difficult time.
• Make time for self-care
to recharge and reduce
stress.
• Acknowledge that the
situation is not your fault
and no one is to blame.
• Share your thoughts,
fears and feelings with
others.
• Listen to your partner
without judgement.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN CARING FOR
YOUR BABY:
• Read stories and sing to
your baby - they know
your voice and will be
soothed by it whilst also
providing you with an
opportunity to bond
with your baby.
• Talk to the nurses
about having kangaroo
cuddles with your baby if
they are stable.
• If your hospital allows,
engage in family
centred care which
includes helping to
change nappies, tubes
and preparing for feeds.
• Educate yourself on
your baby’s situation
so you feel empowered
to help in caring for
your baby.
YOU MAY FIND BENEFIT FROM
PROFESSIONAL HELP IF YOU EXPERIENCE
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
• Try to maintain regular
exercise and eat a
balanced diet.
• Anger and hostility
• Celebrate the firsts
including the first touch,
hold, nappy change,
feed, coming off
breathing support and
getting tubes removed.
• Detachment and
isolation
• Mood swings and
restlessness
• Scattered and irrational
thought processes
• Physical symptoms
such as tightness in the
chest, nausea, muscular
and joint pains, night
sweats, headaches,
shortness of breath
and/or a racing pulse.
Scan the QR code
to access our
FREE Guidebooks
and for more
information
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
lifeslittletreasures.org.au
Join our online community
42
@lltfoz
@lifeslittletreasuresfoundation
