Bonding with Your NICU Babyby Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger 22 Apr 2008 06:36 AM
Noise and Talking to Your Baby Your baby already has a unique personality. Even newborns have distinctive likes and dislikes that are all their own. One issue that is unique to the NICU is the stress level that noise causes its patients. In fact, many progressive thinking hospitals, have done quite a bit to eliminate noise for infants. However, all this is to say is that your baby might not love the sound of your voice instantaneously. Watch his cues. If he turns towards you while your singing but away from you when you're talking, that is a sign that he prefers your singing. Always use a very soft low voice with your preemie. Remember, babies can recognize familial voices from the womb, so chances are good that your baby knows your mommy! Reducing Stress When you're spending time with your baby, take special note of what seems to calm him. Many babies are calmed by skin to skin contact and in fact, many NICUs encourage kangaroo care as much as is possible. It's equally important however, to take special note of what stresses your baby out. Stress can slow recovery times and the NICU is already a stressful place for baby too! So if he doesn't love the way you're holding him, or the sound of your voice, let it be and don't force it. Your baby needs all his energy to grow and get stronger so he can come home. The important thing to remember is that your baby will eventually be very interested in the outside world, in your voice and in dad's and siblings voices. However, getting better takes a lot of energy. Focus on keeping baby calm and reducing stress. Remember the faster your baby matures, the faster he'll get to come home and the sooner you'll enjoy some uninterrupted bonding time! Related Articles: Surviving the NICU: Questions to Ask You Are Still a Parent in the NICU A Unique Hospital for Sick Babies Volunteer Cuddler Programs Help Preemies Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.
Learn more about Valorie Delp  Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line. Relevantbaby tags User Comments  AvaBaby (63) 30 Apr 2008 12:50 PMI am the grandmother of 2 preemies, one was a 26.5 weeker. Bonding is really difficult, but there are ways to do it. One thing that we found helpful wastrying to make this experience as close to normal as possible. One our little one was doing well enough we wanted to find clothes for her. That was not easy task. Finding clothes for a 2 pounder is tough to say the least. Because of our experience I have opend a little boutique that carries clothing and accessories for Micro preemies to going home. We care some of the cutest little things you will ever see. Dressing our little girl was a very bonding experience. Maybe it will work fo ryou too. Rebecca www.avababys.com AvaBaby (63) 30 Apr 2008 12:52 PMSorry, I really can spell, but couldn't see what I was writing. It goes under the boxes on the right:-} Community Tags baby, clothes, preemie Discuss this article
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Recently, here in the baby blog we have been talking about preemies and the NICU experience. Emotionally draining is an understatement. Bonding is also another challenge as you might not even be able to hold your little one for awhile. NICU babies have unique needs and consequently it's important that you give yourself permission to observe your baby's cues and watch them closely. Your baby might not be interested in the outside world for awhile and actually, that's not a terrible thing. NICU preemies, particularly ones who are sick, need all their energy for recovering. Once your baby is matured and strengthened, he'll be much more interested in the world around him.
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