When your baby arrives prematurely or sick, you are thrown into a whole new world with new expectations, decisions and language. Here's help on parenting a baby in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Building Your Confidence
Becoming an Informed Parent
Getting Close with Your Baby
Holding Your Baby Close: Kangaroo Care
Feeding Your Baby
Caring for Multiples
Paying for NICU Care
Preemies: Table of Contents
Preemies: The Essential Guide etc. to Preemies: An Excerpt
Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu: Important Information for Parents
Resources

Having a baby in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is very stressful for parents. The uncertainty, the highs and lows, and the decisions all take their toll.

Understanding Your Feelings
Which Babies Need Care in the NICU?
The NICU Roller Coaster
Checking on Your Baby When You’re Not at the NICU
You and Your Partner
A Father’s Role
Parents Without Partners in the NICU
When to Seek Professional Counseling

While your baby is in the NICU, you may feel torn between your infant and the needs of your other children. Grandparents, other relatives and friends will want to know how to help.

Supporting Your Other Children
Grandparents and the NICU: Your Special Role
Your Relatives and Friends

The big day is approaching! Your baby is leaving the NICU, either to step-down care or to finally go home. How should you prepare to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible?

Step-Down Care
Preparing for Discharge
Car Safety Seats: Tips for Parents of Preemies
The Big Day
After the NICU

There is no better place for your baby than home with you! But you may be feeling a bit nervous. Remember: All parents feel a little jittery when they take their new baby home.

Crying and Fussiness
Sleeping
Handwashing
Visitors and Visiting
Never Shake Your Baby!
Medications
Equipment
Continuing Medical Care
When to Call the Doctor
The Emergency Care Plan
Reading to Your Baby

Feeding is the central activity between parent and baby. It’s a time when relationships are developed and bonds are strengthened.

Feeding Your Baby: The Basics
Breastfeeding Your Baby
Feeding Your Baby with Formula
Tube-Feeding Your Baby
Reflux in Infants

What is normal development? Learn the milestones to look for up to 2 years of age. Find out where to go for special help if your baby needs it.

The Premature Infant: How Old Is My Baby?
What Is Normal Development?
Getting Services for Your Baby

Once your baby is home, it's time to start enjoying the newest member of your family. Take time to just hold, play with and stroke your baby. Get to know her! And move forward from the NICU experience together.

Enjoying Your Baby
Child Care
Advocating for Your Child
Making the NICU Experience a Part of Your Life

If it becomes clear that your baby's NICU journey seems to be turning away from home, you will need to make decisions about how you and your baby will spend your remaining time together.

The Loss of a Baby

A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be like a foreign country. You need to learn new language, tests and equipment in order to make the most informed decisions for your baby. This glossary can help.

Staff in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Common NICU Equipment
Common NICU Tests
Common Conditions Treated in the NICU
Medical Equipment at Home
Quick NICU Reference Guide

One in every 10 babies born in the U.S. is admitted to a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) because of premature birth or another medical condition. Having a baby hospitalized in a NICU, can be frightening, confusing and overwhelming for parents.

The NICU Family Support Program