How to Support NICU Parents

NICU stays typically happen fast and unexpectedly. It can be so helpful to have a list of ways to support and love families who are facing a short or long hospital stay. I asked hundreds of mothers who have had a baby in the hospital how they were supported and the list is SO good. I would never have thought of some of these ideas. Feel free to share with your friends if you know of a family who needs their community to surround them. How to support NICU parents is so important in how they will remember this time with their baby.

1. Bringing a home cooked meal and gift cards to restaurants close by is so helpful. Suggest taking the parents out to eat at a location outside of the campus for a break from the hospital environment.
2. Staying at the Ronald McDonald house is not always an option in all cases.
3. Gift cards for gas is a practical and easy way to support. It can get costly running back and forth every day from home to hospital.
4. Offering to help with child care -offer to have extorted play dates so the parents don’t need to ask for help when it comes to watching their other children
5. Offer to pay for housecleaning is an amazing way to support! You can also organize a small group to go in if the parents are comfortable with the idea.
6. Clean out the fridge when a friend had an unexpected stay in the hospital so the house will be fresh when they return home. Even placing a container of baking soda inside is a helpful idea.
7. Offer to help with the laundry -offer to pick up things at the hospital or wash it at their home, whatever is most convenient for them.
8. Bring NICU friendly outfits for the baby -soft bamboo are the best. Be aware if the baby has a lot of cords or monitors.
9. Offer to water house plants regularly if the stay is long and during the summer months.
10. Check in on the parents -mail a card or send a text to see how they are doing mentally. It can be so taxing trying to juggle life with a newborn.
11. Have a friend group pay for a hotel nearby the hospital if parents live further away. This can be such a relief to have a room just for your family or for one parent to stay at if the other needs to run home.
12. Check in on mail or pick up packages if the parents are staying away from home.
13. Check with the parents if the nursery still needs anything to finish setting up if their baby came early.
14. Check to see if they have a preemie-friendly carseat to bring the baby home.
15. Gift an audible subscription so parents can listen to books during their stay or during feedings.