For Parents From Parents

• If you have been told that your baby may need to spend time in the neonatal unit, talk to your midwife or medical team about visiting the neonatal unit in advance.
• Virtual tours of the neonatal units across the West Midlands are available on the websites of each hospital. 

• There will be lots of mixed emotions on the neonatal unit, it is a rollercoaster, with ups and downs.  These feelings are common and will be different for each family.
• Your routine is individual to you and your family’s needs, manage your time as you need to.
• If you’re not on the unit, be assured, staff will be in touch if they need to.  You can call the unit whenever you need to.
• The sounds and environment will feel unfamiliar, and you might feel unsure about asking the team, but it is important for you to understand what is happening to your baby. Ask about anything you don’t understand .
• It’s really warm on the neonatal unit – wear comfortable clothes, or layers, so that you don’t get too hot. 
• Your baby loves the sound of your voice. Reading, singing or just talking to your baby will do wonders for their development.  (Every child in England and Wales is entitled to a free Bookstart pack before they are 12 months old.
• You may want to celebrate your baby’s milestones and ‘firsts’.  The charity Bliss has developed a series of baby milestone cards, your neonatal unit may have some or they are also available on the Bliss website.
• Listen to and be involved in the ward round as often as you can – this is when the doctors are reviewing your baby each day. You know your baby best and your input into this discussion is invaluable. If you are not sure when it is, ask one of the nurses.
• You will be given a Neonatal Journey document.  This has been designed with neonatal parents, to empower you to become partners in your baby’s care, working with the neonatal team to help them to support your family.  This is for your baby to keep during their neonatal journey, staying with them if they move to a different neonatal unit, to support staff to understand your baby and your family's needs.

This short video looks at what to expect when your baby is admitted to the neonatal unit:

These online courses have been designed as a supportive resource for families experiencing neonatal care for their baby or babies.

• You are an essential part of the team caring for your baby, it’s important for you to be involved with their care.   It’s okay to ask for support with cares. If it feels overwhelming, don’t feel like you have to do it all, staff will help you, at your own pace. 
• When you have a baby who needs neonatal care, your feeding journey may be different – for many babies, when they are ready, breast feeding is possible. Talk to your baby’s nurse or the infant feeding specialist about this.
• It can be difficult when starting to express, if you can’t remember how to use the pump ask a member of staff or even another mum, chances are they’ve been there and it’s a lot to take in.
• If you’re asked if you want training on how to tube feed, you might feel daunted at first, but you’ll be okay. If you have any questions your baby’s nurse will support you.

• Be kind to yourself!
• This is a journey. There will be ups and downs. Take each day as it comes.
• Take lunch, snacks, and water, you need to keep your energy up. Look after you!
• Chat with other parents, you never know, they may become lifelong friends who know exactly what you have been through.
• On the neonatal unit, there will be access to wellbeing support services who will be available to speak to you. Make the most of this, if only to decompress and talk about your journey as you’re living it. Just talking to somebody independent can make things feel a little lighter. 

Babies can move around the network of neonatal units in the West Midlands as part of their journey.  There are lots of different reasons this might happen.  If you are uncertain of anything, ask questions – all questions are valid, talk to the staff looking after your baby.

• When getting ready to leave, be prepared for a mix of emotions.  Think about what contact you would like with friends and family in the early days and weeks. Think as well about how you might let people know if you need fewer visitors .
• As your baby grows, they may also be able to enjoy a sensory toy, ask your baby’s neonatal team about this and what is appropriate at each stage of development.
• There are some really useful articles on the  Bliss website on preparing to leave the neonatal unit.

This short video looks at preparing to go home: