September is Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month. It's a time to honor families going through a NICU stay and the health professionals who care for them.
Our twins, Audrey and Antonino were born via C-section. They were 3 weeks early which required them to stay in the Intermediate Care Unit of the hospital's NICU. The twins are now 9 months old but I still find it difficult to look back at those 3 weeks without remembering the fear that I felt. A stay in the NICU can be one of the most stressful experiences in a mom's life and I think that one of the best gifts a NICU mom can receive is hope to help her get through it. Here are 5 things every NICU mom should know that can help her keep going.
You and your baby are in good hands.
Yes, the NICU can be a scary place for any parent but do know that your baby is in the best possible hands. They will be receiving round-the-clock care from experienced doctors and nurses. The NICU nurses will be by your baby's side tending to their needs, reporting to doctors and updating you all the time. We were really lucky that our NICU nurses provided care and support not only to our twins but also to us.
You have a voice.
Seeing your tiny baby inside an incubator, hooked to an IV and monitoring devices can be intimidating which is why it's important to ask questions. If you feel like something is off, speak up. It's not being demanding. It's perfectly normal to want to know more about what's going on with your baby and what options you have. You are an important part of your baby's NICU team, not just a bystander and you have the ultimate say in your baby's care.
You will be surprised at the kindness of strangers.
Breastfeeding and milk supply can be challenging in the NICU. I had low milk supply and could not produce enough milk for the twins but I was overwhelmed by the kindness of our friends, friends of our family, friends of friends and even total strangers who donated milk (sometimes even twice) to our twins whom they haven't even met! Aside from donating their liquid gold, they also offered tips and words of encouragement which were really helpful as I tried to breastfeed my twins.
Your baby will grow.
Most babies are in the NICU because they came early so it's common to see babies with birth weights of 2 kilos or even less. During your NICU stay, you'll always be wondering when your baby will finally catch up. But trust me, with all the care they're receiving in the NICU, your baby will grow so fast. In fact, when I look back at my twins' photos from their NICU days, I find it hard to believe that they were so tiny then.
You are a good mom.
Most NICU moms, myself included, can't help but feel guilty for not being able to carry their babies to term or for leaving the hospital without them. But please know that their coming early is not your fault. I understand the feeling of wanting to be there for your baby 24/7 but you also have to sleep, shower and tend to other responsibilities as well. There is nothing wrong with that. You are doing the best you can for your baby. You are a good mom and you are your baby's superhero.
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