NICU visiting help

When my son was in NICU I was in hospital for 3 days after he was born then had to go home. I spent as every day there getting picked up about 9 then having people pick me up on their way home from work.. between 4/5 weekends I’d be there til later. It was very difficult especially having to be up every 3/ 4 hours to make sure i pumped but when i wasn’t there I got pictures for updates and i was constantly phoning them xxx

When my son was in the nicu they did have the option of staying 24/7 but you would have to sleep in a recliner. But it was very hard for me personally to stay so late so I would visit every single day for about 6-8 hours a day. Starting about 6 pm so I could be there for the night feedings and cares. I loved to hear his weigh ins. It was the only thing that kept me sane. During his month and a half stay

when my daughter was in the nicu, I was discharged on day 2 from the hospital but since i have 2 other kids, I wasn't able to spend as much time with my baby in the hospital but I did manage to go everyday atleast for 2 hours in the morning or in the afternoon I would of stayed longer but I couldn't due to having to take care of my other kids but my insurance helped with transportation to and from the hospital each day so that was a blessing and the nicu in the hospital she was born had an app where I was able to see her through real time on a camera that they would put on top of the incubator 24/7 and would just turn off during feedings and changes. that really helped my nerves when i wasn't there but don't feel guilty your baby won't forget about you and even if your not able to stay the same hours each day just know that your doing that best you can and baby is in good hands. Just be in the moment when your there and soak up all the goodness. your doing great mama!!

Your son won’t forget you, when you walk into nicu everyday he’ll hear your voice and his stats will level out. We were in nicu for 10 weeks with my 28 weeker and I treated it like a job, I’d get to the hospital for 8.30, rounds were at 9/9.30ish and then I’d stay all day, have a break for lunch- it’s important to remember to eat, and then I’d go home about 4.30/5ish. It’s exhausting so please be kind to yourself and just focus on eating, sleeping and cuddling your baby. Stay strong and I hope you get to go home with your baby soon

My twins were born at 32 weeks and stayed in NICU for about a month, and I also have a 3 year old at home. I visited while my 3 year old was in daycare and timed my visits around their feeds. If possible I'd stay for 2 feedings, like the 10am feed and 1pm feed. I was also pumping so it took a while, I might leave at 2:30 or 3. My husband would try to visit around 9pm after work and after our older kid was in bed. There were a few days I couldn't visit because of an ice storm or illness. That was really tough but I would call to get the updates from the nurses. It is a tough time but give yourself some grace! Soon you will be able to be with them 24/7 at home. ❤️

My daughter was born at 27 weeks and discharged one week before her due date - 85 days total stay. I was discharged from hospital 2 weeks after her birth and had to frame it as “free childcare on the NHS” to stop me from losing my mind. It’s easier to leave their side when you have to do something like go to the toilet or take a phone call, but on average you know what moment you feel strongest to leave their side. I had 24/7 access and accommodation on site when my daughter was in NICU so I’d go in and stay cuddling her for hours.

My little guy was 33weeks too. 46 days in the NICU. We lived close enough to the hospital that I could pretty much come and go. We have a dog at home that couldn’t be alone for more than 5hrs and husband was saving paternity leave for when he came home. I went every morning from 8-12, kind of like went home for lunch. Clean something, hang out with dog, walk him and such. Then go back from 1-4, go home to meet husband, then we’d go back together from 5-8. And we repeated that daily. But again, I live 15 minutes from our hospital. So I feel like that change my capabilities drastically. We tried to make sure to be there for feedings specifically because that was his “issue”