Preparing for home

Having a baby admitted to the NNU is a daunting experience for any parent and at this time it is sometimes difficult to imagine that your baby will be going home. During the course of your baby's stay on the NNU, the staff will encourage you in getting to know your baby and to provide all his care.

Initially, it may be that providing breast milk and being with your baby, talking to him or holding his hand is what your baby's nurse recommends for you to do. As your baby improves the staff will help you to recognise, understand and respond appropriately to your baby. As you become more confident, you will be increasingly involved in planning and giving his care.

When your baby is in a cot and taking some of his feeds from the breast or bottle it is time to think about the questions you might have about caring for your baby at home. Being able to answer 'yes' to the following questions will help parents be best prepared in caring for their baby at home. If you cannot answer 'yes' to the following questions, speak to the nurse looking after your baby and she will plan with you and your baby a programme to help you learn and practise these skills. In addition, think about rooming-in.

If you are breast feeding:

Can you recognise when your baby is hungry? Are you confident in getting baby attached to the breast? Can you recognise when your baby is drinking enough?

If you are bottle feeding:

Can you recognise when your baby is hungry? Are you confident in bottle feeding your baby? Have you been shown how to sterilise feeding equipment? Are you confident in doing this? Have you been shown how to make up a formula feed? Are you confident in doing this?

Giving medications:

Have you been shown how to store, draw up and give your baby his medicines? Are you confident in doing this?

Bathing baby:

Have you had the opportunity to bath your baby? Are you confident in doing this?

Temperature control:

Can you tell when your baby is too warm or too cold? Are you confident in managing your baby's temperature?

Reducing risk of illness:

Have you been given information about how to protect your baby from infection and cot death? Have you been given information about the dangers of smoking around your baby?

Recognising illness:

Can you recognise the signs of your baby becoming unwell? Do you know what to do if your baby becomes unwell? Do you have your Health Visitor's and GP's telephone number to hand?

Support groups:

Do you have the telephone numbers and addresses of parent support groups?