Navigating the NICU: A Nurse's Guide for Parents
Featuring Landry
With Lauren Zatezalo, OT student, and Melissa O'Neal, OTR/L
What is the NICU, and what can parents expect when their baby needs specialized care? In this episode, we sit down with a NICU nurse to discuss the NICU environment, common challenges families may face, and the medical equipment and care teams parents are likely to encounter. We also share practical ways parents can support their baby, participate in care, and navigate the NICU journey with greater confidence.
About Landry
On this episode we talked with Landry, who also happens to be the older sister of co-host Lauren. Landry has worked for the past 6 years as a NICU nurse and has worked at two different level 4 NICUs.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
- The NICU environment includes regular care times (or touch times) every 3 to 4 hours where nurses change diapers, feed, assess, and take temperatures. Parents will also see occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, and a team of doctors who round together to explain your baby's plan and progress.
- Common challenges for NICU parents include managing stress, anxiety, and overwhelm, balancing your own physical and emotional recovery from birth, managing pumping and breastmilk supply since most NICU babies cannot breastfeed, and navigating setbacks when you thought your baby was going to come home.
- Parents can and should be involved in their baby's care times and touch times. Ask your nurses questions as many times as you need, write down questions when you think of them, and ask for a head to toe explanation of all the wires and equipment connected to your baby.
- Skin to skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is an option in the NICU for some babies. Ask your nurse if and when your baby is ready for it. Kangaroo care has been shown to support bonding, regulation, and development.
- Sleeping arrangements vary by hospital. Some NICUs offer sleep rooms on the same floor for parents of critical babies. Ronald McDonald Houses are a nonprofit that provides housing to parents with children in the hospital. Try to be at bedside for doctors rounds whenever possible.
Show Notes and Resources
Ronald McDonald House Charities: find a chapter near you (ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org/find-a-chapter). Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital: Kangaroo Care in the NICU (hopkinsmedicine.org/all-childrens-hospital/services/maternal-fetal-neonatal-institute/neonatology/about-our-nicu/kangaroo-care). Cleveland Clinic: Kangaroo Care (my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/12578-kangaroo-care). Nationwide Children's Hospital: Medical Equipment in the NICU (nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/resources-for-parents-and-kids/nicu-resources/medical-equipment-in-the-nicu). March of Dimes: Resources for NICU Parents (marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/neonatal-intensive-care-unit-nicu). Hand to Hold: nonprofit support for NICU parents (handtohold.org).
From This Episode
Walking into the NICU can feel overwhelming. Machines, monitors, and so many unknowns. If you are in the midst of a NICU journey, or you are preparing for the possibility, this conversation is here to help you feel more encouraged, informed, and supported.
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