Page 20 - What to Expect

Arrival in the NICU

Tell your other child or children what to expect before they come into the
Unit. Explain what the baby looks like and that he may have a lot of things,
like tubes, attached to him. It may help to prepare them if you can show
them an incubator (on the internet perhaps) and assure them that the way
he looks is perfectly normal for little babies.

Sometimes children get upset by all the things attached to baby. Let
them get used to these at their own speed. Many children are more
accepting and less fearful of the Unit than adults are.

Sometimes role playing at home, with a play medical kit and a small doll
in a suitable or pretend incubator might help your children to understand
what is happening to their brother or sister. If there is a setback, don’t hide
it. Explain simply so they will understand, as they will feel more involved if
you tell them about the baby’s progress. They may even surprise you and
ask “How much milk is baby having today?”.

Please ensure your children wash their hands properly before entering
the Unit. If they, or any other visitor has a cold, cough, or any other illness
please leave them at home as these sorts of bugs can spread rapidly in the
Unit.

What are the general visiting rules?

You may need to have a quiet word with your visitors and explain the NICU
etiquette before they come into the Unit. Some things you can tell them
are that staring at and asking questions about other babies in the Unit can
increase the distress other parents are already feeling. It is also an invasion
of their privacy and some mothers feel embarrassed and nervous if they
are breast-feeding among lots of visitors coming and going. Explaining
this to a friend or family member before they visit will be better than to be
reminded by a nurse in the Unit, and less embarrassing for all.

You may also wish to show visitors photos and tell them a bit about your
baby before they come in. A lot of people have no idea of what to expect
and it can be a bit of a shock. They may need some time to adjust.

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