After leaving the NICU, how new parents can take care of themselves and their baby while adjusting to family life
Having a baby can be exciting. It can also be overwhelming, especially if your baby needs additional medical care after birth. Babies who need specialized medical care stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). While in the NICU, these babies receive 24/7 care from specially trained nurses. In life after the NICU, they may still need extra care when they go home.
We sat down with Stacey Leslie, BSN, RN, CPN, Pediatric Telephone Case Management, UPMC Health Plan, and Lauren Tomporoski, RN, BSN, NICU Clinical Nursing Manager, UPMC Health Plan, to discuss how to make your child’s life easier when you come home from Newborn Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
take care of the baby
be patient. Babies born prematurely may experience colic (severe crying for no apparent reason) or regurgitation. Because of these conditions, babies may need extra reassurance for comfort. Sometimes a small gesture can help soothe a fussy baby. You can try things like shaking them or walking around with them to ease the restlessness. The bouncing baby seat can also provide movement and give you a little rest.
Follow-up appointments are prioritized. Babies receiving care in the NICU tend to have many follow-up appointments. “Good child visits help prevent disease. At these visits, your baby will receive immunizations and the doctor can track growth; monitor developmental milestones; and discuss nutrition, sleep, and social interactions. Regular doctor visits will keep your Build trusting relationships with your family and address questions and concerns you may have,” Stacey Leslie said.
Lauren Tomporoski adds, “It’s important for the pediatrician to know your child as well as the NICU. You can discuss any concerns you have about your baby being fussy, not eating, or not acting like him or herself. This is also your chance to ask questions.” Live: No question is a stupid question.”
Take good care of yourself
You need to take care of yourself so you can take care of your newborn. means to eat well, enough sleepand make follow-up healthcare appointments.
Eat and drink enough. If you’re breastfeeding, make sure you’re eating enough to stay healthy and hydrated. This will help your body produce milk for your baby. drinking water and other healthy drinks will also help you avoid dehydration.Dehydration can lead to clouded thinking, mood changes, and other conditions [1].
Even if you bottle feed your baby, you still need to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.
enough sleep. You may want to be with your baby all the time, but it’s important to get home and sleep. Whether you had a C-section or a vaginal delivery, your body needs rest to recover after delivery. In the often busy NICU, you are less likely to get a good night’s sleep.
“When baby comes home, you need to be rested and ready,” says Tomporoski.
Schedule and keep follow-up appointments. Seeing your doctor regularly is vital to your overall health. “If you’re feeling down, depressed, uninterested in daily activities, nervous or anxious, your doctor can provide you with resources to help you overcome these issues,” Leslie says.
Tips to Make Life Easier After the NICU
be prepared. When it’s time to bring your baby home, make sure you have a rear-facing car seat This is the right size for your child. Many fire departments, EMS stations, and police departments offer free safety inspections to make sure you have installed your seat properly.
Once you’ve settled in, you might have a hard time getting to the grocery store. Try to make sure you have the basics like diapers, wipes, extra pacifiers and the proper liquid formula (if you bottle feed).
Build a support network. If you have a partner, share the duties of changing diapers, feeding and sleeping. Ask friends, family and neighbors for help when needed. If they’re willing to bring food, do the dishes, or let you take a break, let them do it.
ask for help when needed
If you or your baby need emotional or physical help, you can ask for it. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor or your baby’s pediatrician with any questions or concerns. Parenting groups and classes can also be a source of support that can help you feel more connected. You can also use these networks to find community resources that can help with food, rent, and utilities.
UPMC Health Plan NICU Resources
After you bring your baby home from the NICU, life is full of excitement. But you may also face challenges caring for your baby. This is normal, and there are resources to help you overcome these challenges.
Never be afraid to reach out when you need help. Raising your hand is a sign of strength, and reaching out will help ensure you and your baby get the care you need.
If you are a UPMC health plan member, you have access to helpful resources, including UPMC Health Plan NICU Program. The program provides Free, individualized support for families whose infants are or have been in the NICU (until child turns 1). You can participate for free.
To participate in the program, please call the UPMC Health Plan Care Administration Team 1-866-778-6073 (TTY: 711) Talk to the NICU Nursing Manager.Help available Monday-Friday 7am-8pm and Saturday 8am-3pm
UPMC health plan members also have access to UPMC AnywhereCare* and Advanced Medical Center mineHealth 24/7 Nurse Line** Get help from the comfort of your own home.
If you need help with lifestyle changes, condition management, or behavioral health needs, you can Rely on the support of a health coach. You can also use the RxWell application Become healthy physically and mentally. The app is free for UPMC health plan members age 16 and older. Download RxWell from your device’s app store.
UPMC Health Plan also offers other Mental and Behavioral Health Support Help you get the care you need.
*UPMC health plan members who are located in Pennsylvania at the time of the virtual visit may choose a provider hired by UPMC or a provider from the Online Care Network II PC (OCN), depending on the provider’s availability and discretion. UPMC health plan members located outside of Pennsylvania will receive OCN services. OCN is not affiliated with UPMC. During the COVID-19 emergency, UPMC kids versionUPMC Community Health Options and UPMC For you Members located outside of Pennsylvania will receive OCN services. UPMC AnywhereCare virtual visit services will not be covered by UPMC following the COVID-19 emergency kids versionUPMC Community Health Options and UPMC For you Members are traveling outside of Pennsylvania.
** The UPMC nurse who answers the phone is licensed to assist members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New York and Ohio.Members must be in one of these states when calling UPMC mineHealth 24/7 Nurse Line. UPMC mineThe Health 24/7 Nurse Line is not a substitute for medical care. In case of emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Nurses cannot answer program or benefit questions. For non-clinical consultations, please call the Member Services telephone number on your Member ID card.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get the Facts: Water Drinking and Intake. Reviewed December 3, 2020. Accessed October 28, 2021. cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/plain-water-the-healthier-choice.html
