Page 26 - What to Expect

During your stay

As your baby gets a bit older you could try:

A mobile
A small nursery music box for your baby to listen to during wakeful
times
A small soft toy left where baby can see it. The nursing staff may
need you to put the soft toy in a plastic bag to limit the chance of
infection, so please check with them first

Reading to him.
Remember to ask his nurse before bringing anything in.

How do I go about doing basic cares?

There are basic cares you and your partner can do for your baby. The nurse
will be able to show you how to do these. These cares include:
Eye and mouth cares

Changing nappies and soiled clothes
Taking his temperature
Cleaning the incubator

Sponge-bathing your baby
Feeding your baby, even if this means holding the syringe while
1ml of milk drips down the nasogastric tube.
To ensure your baby’s safety, only nursing and medical staff are allowed to
take your baby out of, and return him to, his incubator.
Maybe you feel as though you could never feel comfortable touching,
holding or even bathing such a small human being. Set yourself small daily
goals such as holding the nasogastric tube when your baby is having some
milk, taking his temperature the next day, wiping his bottom the following
day, moving gradually through the parent-craft skills until everything
comes easily and you are an expert!

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