Hello Friend!
First and foremost, congratulations on the birth of your precious baby. I know this might not be the journey you expected, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or even a little scared—you’re not alone. I’ve been in your shoes, and I want you to know that you have so much love, strength, and resilience within you.
The NICU can feel like a whole new world, filled with unfamiliar terms, beeping monitors, and a rollercoaster of emotions. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. This course was created just for you—to help you make sense of everything, to equip you with knowledge, and most importantly, to empower you as your baby’s biggest advocate.
Think of this as your personal guide through the NICU journey. We’ll cover what to expect, how to get involved in your baby’s care, questions to ask, and ways to take care of yourself along the way. My goal is for you to feel confident, supported, and prepared—because you are an essential part of your baby’s care team.
I’m honored to walk alongside you in this journey, and I hope this course gives you the guidance and reassurance you need. You are not alone—you are part of a community of parents who understand and are cheering you on. You’ve got this, and I’m here for you every step of the way.
NICU Guide
The NICU can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Navigating the NICU walks you through what to expect, how to care for yourself and your baby, and ways to feel more confident during this journey.
Navigating the NICU
Module 1: Welcome to the NICU - Tips and tricks on how to survive your NICU stay
- Questions to ask about your NICU baby: List of questions to ask your doctors, nurses, social workers, family liaison & lactation consultantsList of question to ask if your baby needs surgery
- Sample daily NICU schedule
- Personalizing your NICU space
- What should I pack in my NICU bag?
- Tips for siblings
- What to do when you can’t visit
- Keepsake items to ask for
- NICU journals
- Advocating for your NICU baby
- Support from others
- Holidays in the NICU
- Self-care
- Going back to work while your baby is in the NICU
- Affirmations
Module 2: Inside the NICU - Who’s who, what to expect & bridging the knowledge gap
- What is the NICU?
- Levels of the NICU
- NICU vs. PICU
- Who can I expect to see in the NICU?
- What qualifies as a premature baby?
- What does a premature baby look like?
- What does a premature baby act like?
- Adjusted age
- Equipment used in the NICU: Equipment used for breathing support, comfort & temperature support, jaundice, food, fluid & medicine delivery, and monitoring vital signs
- Common procedures in the NICU
- Common medical conditions in the NICU
- Common respiratory conditions in the NICU
Module 3: You and your preemie - Strategies for bonding with your NICU baby
- Understanding your baby’s cues: Ready to interact, overstimulation
- Ways to bond with your NICU baby
- Ways to touch your NICU baby
- Milestones to celebrate with your baby
- Feeding your NICU baby: Cue-based feeding, Signs that your baby is hungry, Tips for feeding success, Benefits of being involved in your baby’s feedings
- Weight conversion chart (pounds & ounces to grams)
- Breastmilk storage instruction chart
- Kangaroo care: What is kangaroo care?Step-by-step to kangaroo care, Benefits of kangaroo care, Alternatives to kangaroo care
Module 4: Bringing home baby - Navigating the transition from NICU to home
- Common discharge requirements
- Questions to ask before discharge
- Car seat test
- Bringing home baby checklist
- Tips for your first few days at home
- What to do when your baby cries
- Tips to reduce your baby’s reflux (GERD)
- Setting boundaries with visitors
- Developmental Milestones
Appendix: NICU support tools - Terms and visual guides for parents
- Glossary
- Acronym cheat sheetNICU staff & care providersHospital units & levels of careMeasurement & age terms
- Breastmilk storage chart
- Weight conversion chart
- Additional support resources
Preemie Parents & Co
Navigating the NICU
