Page 38 - What to Expect

During your stay

Some parents find writing down their thoughts, worries and dreams about
their baby is very helpful at working through the stress of having a baby
in the Unit. Making daily notes of how much your baby weighs and how
much milk your baby is drinking can be a nice way of seeing that although
the progress may be painfully slow, there is progress. Ask your baby’s nurse
if they can help you with the nursing and medical notes so you can write
them down too.

Providing clothes for your baby

The Unit should have clothes, quilts and blankets for use while your baby
is there. If you would like to buy clothes for your baby, ask the Unit staff
where the clothing stores are.

Sometimes it is nice for you and your family to see your baby in their own
clothes. This helps you to identify your baby as belonging to you and your
family, and not as a baby on loan from the hospital who just happens to
have your name on the incubator.

It is a good idea to name anything you leave with your baby and tape a
notice on the outside of the incubator informing staff that your baby is
wearing his own clothes. This may prevent his clothes inadvertently ending
up in the Unit’s washing, and may deter them from sprouting little legs of
their own and wandering off. The Unit cannot take responsibility for lost
clothing.

If you become attached to a tiny pair of booties, a wee hat or other
clothing that your baby wore but belongs to the Unit, you may like it as
a souvenir of how small your baby was. Talk to one of the nurses about
exchanging it for some clothing you can provide for the Unit.

Volunteers make the duvet covers, quilts and bed rolls. The work of these
people gives your baby, and you, a more comfortable and attractive
environment. Please think about the next baby that needs the clothing
and blankets. If you find that an item of clothing made it home with your
baby inadvertently, you can return the clothing to the Unit.

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