When your baby is in the NICU, it may be hard to think about yourself because you are so focused on your baby’s needs. BUT taking care of yourself can help you stay well and have energy to spend with your baby.

Here are a few ideas to help you take care of yourself when your baby is in NICU

• Try to stick to a daily routine. Take a shower, eat healthy food and regular meals, drink plenty of water and get a good night’s sleep.
• Connect with other NICU families in the parent lounge, in the corridor or through our COCOON PEEPS activities, such as our weekly NICU parent walking group “Walk & Connect”. Other parents may understand better how you are feeling than family and friends, because they are going through similar experiences with their baby.
• Take a break from the NICU and go outside for some fresh air. It’s OK to take time out for yourself and your family.
• Talk to someone about your feelings. This may be someone from the NICU staff, a social worker or a religious or spiritual leader in the hospital or in your community.

What can you do if you need to go back to work when your baby is in the NICU?

If you need to go back to work while your baby is still in the NICU, please let us know. We completely understand that you will have other demands on your time. If you tell us about your work schedule and when you will be coming in to be with your baby, we can save things like cares or baths for when you are in. It is a good idea to discuss your situation with your employer to overcome any barriers before returning to work. 

When your baby is in Butterfly you may feel

• Scared about their medical condition and what may happen in the future.
• Sad about your baby being in hospital and not at home as planned.
• Overwhelmed by responsibilities outside the NICU, like going to work, paying bills, taking care of your other children and taking care of things at home.
• Angry about changes that the NICU makes in your life and the loss of not just giving birth and taking a healthy baby home.
• Guilty that your baby is in the NICU, even though it’s not your fault.
• Conflicted about spending time with your baby in the NICU and also spending time with other children at home.
• Helpless and frustrated because you cannot do more to help your baby.
• Happy about the progress your baby makes and the problems they overcome.
• Exhausted even though you may feel you are not doing a lot physically. Some parents call this “NICU fatigue”.
  

When your baby is in Butterfly, there is no “normal” way to feel. You and your partner may feel differently. Know that many families who have a baby born early or sick share the same feelings that you and your partner have.