Nurturing Connections: Three Heartwarming Ways to Bond with Your NICU Baby
Welcoming a new life into the world is a joyous occasion, but when a baby finds themselves in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the journey becomes a rollercoaster of emotions for parents. The separation can be challenging, but there are meaningful ways to connect and bond with your little one during their time in the NICU. In this blog post, we'll explore three heartwarming methods that not only strengthen the parent-baby bond but also contribute to the overall well-being of both.
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Read Aloud: Sharing Stories and Love | One beautiful way to connect with your baby in the NICU is by reading books aloud to them, and involving your partner in this activity can make it even more special. Studies have shown that babies can recognize their parents' voices from the womb, and continuing this auditory connection can have a positive impact on their development. Choose soothing and rhythmic stories, and take turns reading paragraphs or pages. The familiar cadence of your voices can provide comfort to your baby, creating a sense of security in the midst of the NICU environment. Additionally, hearing both parents' voices can be particularly beneficial in forming strong bonds, even from a distance.
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Video Recording: A Window to Connection | The time spent in the NICU often involves the crucial process of breastfeeding. While physical proximity may be limited, technology allows parents to bridge the gap and enhance the breastfeeding experience. Consider recording videos of your baby and later watching them during your pumping sessions. According to a study published in the Journal of Perinatal Education, mothers who watched videos of their babies while pumping breast milk experienced an increase in oxytocin levels, the hormone responsible for bonding and milk letdown. This not only strengthens the emotional connection between parent and baby but can also positively impact milk production.
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Smell Your Baby - A Sweet Connection | Another innovative way to establish a connection with your baby in the NICU is actually by smelling each other. Studies, such as those published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, have shown that scent exchange between mother and baby can have calming effects on both. The familiar scent of the mother's skin can soothe the baby, and the scent of the baby on the mother's cloth can provide comfort and a sense of closeness. Typically, this happens naturally but with a NICU stay, parents are often leaving to sleep at home, work, or care for other children at home. One way you can accomplish this in the NICU is by cutting small pieces of fabric into squares about 3 inches long by three inches long. I would make several pairs of these sqares in case you lose a few a long the way in NICU laundry. Place one with your baby in the isolette and one with you (inside your top or bra is best for mothers). Each time you visit the baby, swap out fabric squares with your baby. By doing this, baby can always smell you and when you leave the NICU and need to pump, you can smell your baby. Always select soft, breathable fabrics and be sure to talk with your NICU nurses to be sure this is done safely. Please note babies who are not in the NICU or on oxygen support should not have loose pieces of fabric in their bed. Always discuss with your care team before trying this method. My NICU provided me with the fabric for this and I absolutely loved it.
