Miracle Babies
For families who have had a premature or sick newborn, going home is a very special milestone. Finally, there’s the green light to take your baby home.
Obviously, it is an exciting time, but alongside the relief of finally leaving the NICU, it can also be quite a daunting experience as you will now have sole responsibility for your baby’s care. You may be feeling a range of different emotions and realise that leaving the hospital brings new challenges in caring for your baby.
One of the biggest hurdles that parents face is being able to transition from being in a situation with 24-hour hospital care to provide the 24-hour care needed at home. You may be nervous leaving the care and guidance of the doctors and nurses who cared for your baby, and at times it can be a little overwhelming taking on full responsibility for all of your baby’s needs.
The NICU journey is extremely demanding and it is common for parents to feel emotionally and physically depleted. When your baby is discharged from the hospital, the constant demands of caring for your newborn and lack of sleep can be exacerbated, but it is important to look after yourself.
Remember that it is okay for you to ask for help from your family, friends or health care providers if you feel like you are overwhelmed or struggling to cope. Health professionals such as your paediatrician, GP or family health nurse will be willing to give any help or support you need and of course feel free to ring the Miracle Babies Foundation (link to: www.miraclebabies.org.au) parent support line any time should you need help on 1300 MBABIES (24 hours a day). More information on going home can be found here: https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/families/at-home/
“When Amiyah was born at 25 weeks, she weighed just 566 grams and her doctors gave her a 30% chance of survival. Thirteen weeks later, she weighed 2.2kg and finally got to come home with us on an apnea monitor. I was scared – she was tiny and rarely cried like a typical baby, much less acted like a three-month-old. It’s nerve-racking at times being a mum to a premmie baby, but I thank God that she is here.”
– Carmela, mum to Amiyah born at 25 weeks
The Miracle Babies Grad Bag is a new resource supporting families in their transition home. This pack includes helpful information and items to provide reassurance and confidence as you find your new normal. The Grad Bag was proudly supported by BabyLove Nappies and is available via participating hospitals.
To request a pack, email info@miraclebabies.org.au.
Miracle Babies and BabyLove Nappies (link to www.babylovenappies.com.au) were excited to launch the Grad Bag earlier this year. Each year, 48,000 babies are born premature or sick and these babies can spend anywhere up to one year in the hospital.
For families finally able to take their baby home, it can be both exciting and daunting. Know though, that we are here.
“Going home represents the new journey of really feeling like a family. Although it can be scary to leave the safety of the hospital and the staff being with you at all times, it is a beautiful time. It is important for new parents to take care of themselves and feel comfortable to ask for help. When I had my second son at 27 weeks, I remember noticing that family and friends seemed unsure about how to react, what to say or what we needed. It is such a sensitive time and while every situation is different, we do encourage extended family and friends to be there to support the new family.” – Melinda Cruz, Founder Miracle Babies Foundation and mum to 3 Premmie Babies
Have a family or friend going through it? Sometimes, from the outside, it’s hard to know exactly what to say or do.
Take a look at some tips from Miracle Babies Foundation to help support a family member or friend going through it: https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/families/in-hospital/extended-family-friends/
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