Parenting in the NICU is best supported when you have access to your baby any time day or night, and for as long as you desire. NICU rules that limit your parenting should not be in place at any time—not during shift changes, not during routine procedures, not during rounds, not because it’s overnight, not for any reason! We wish unlimited parenting was standard policy in every NICU, but it isn’t.
In response to the current COVID-19 crisis, it is not uncommon for NICUs to have new COVID-specific rules in place that make it even more difficult to parent in the NICU. These visitation rules vary widely by hospital and may become more or less restrictive without notice. If you have a baby in the NICU you may find yourself parenting under new conditions now or in the future, and many hospitals are relying on technology to fill the gap as in-person parenting is reduced.
What You Should Know
The benefits of parenting in the NICU do not lessen because we are in a pandemic—YOU are still the most important person to your baby. NICUs that implement rule changes, which impact your ability to parent, should never assume that you are any less interested in partnering with your baby’s providers to understand and actively participate in health care and medical decision making, or that connecting with your baby is any less important to you, or less crucial for your baby’s health. Zoom and FaceTime should only be used as a compliment to in-person parenting.
As a Parent you have the opportunity to advocate for innovation as your NICU considers how best to help you stay connected with your baby and your baby’s team. Here we share 10 ideas for how to stay connected and optimize technology like FaceTime when Parenting in the NICU.
Get Virtual with Your Baby’s Healthcare Team
Every day, usually in the morning, doctors and nurses “Round” on each baby and discuss each patient in detail. Find out when they will round on your baby and coordinate your FaceTime call so you can listen-in, ask questions, gain clarity in understanding, share your preferences and insight, and help determine next steps.
Ask your baby’s nurse for any virtual educational opportunities that you can complete and check off your list for discharge planning, or that may help you to better understand your baby’s emotional and developmental needs now.
Connect with other parents on the unit for a virtual peer support group, ask the social worker or Charge Nurse to help you network with other interested parents.
Virtually celebrate NICU milestones with your baby’s team of care providers.
Call the NICU day or night and as often as you want, to connect with your baby’s Nurses for all of the above and anything else on your mind.
During FaceTime calls you can expect the Provider on the other end of the line to be someone who knows your baby and your baby’s care plan—preferably your baby’s current shift Nurse—and they should be able to answer any questions you have. If not, ask to speak to someone who can.
Get Virtual with Your Baby
Schedule FaceTime calls with your baby and your baby’s Nurse during hands-on care to observe your baby and learn what’s new.
Use FaceTime to converse and observe during bathing, feeding, and routine procedures.
During calls let your baby see your face and hear your voice.
Read, sing, or talk to your baby.
If Your NICU has a Parent Ban In Place We Also Encourage You To:
Continue pumping and delivering your milk to the NICU.
Send in a scent cloth for your baby—this is a lovey or a breastmilk pad or other cotton fabric that has absorbed your smell and that can be left near your baby when you are not together.
Drop off any special clothing, any items you want your baby to have, and clean blankets for sheet changes.