Best Parenting Advice Ever for Parents of the NICU Baby

The Best Parenting Advice Ever For Parents of the NICU can help guide moms and dads charter through the rough waters of parenting a NICU baby.

Many parents who have never had a baby in the NICU do not understand what it feels like to have a baby in the hospital for extra days, weeks, or even months after the child was born.

The nine months of waiting for the infant, or multiples, is cut short in one way, and extended in another. Parents of the NICU baby get to "meet" their new baby early, but do not get to immediately enjoy taking him or her home.

Having a baby in the NICU can be a trying, and for some traumatic time.

Here is the best parenting advice ever for parents of the NICU Baby.

Best Parenting Advice Ever For Parents of the NICU Baby: 1. It Could Happen to You

During pregnancy, expectant parents are so concerned with the current health of the mom-to-be and the growing baby, they never even consider the chances of an early birth. This is especially true if it is your first baby.

"Everyone" will tell you that the first baby is "always" late. Parents will be too busy making plans, buyiung supplies, preparing a nursery to think about what would happen if the baby was born early. This does not come up at pre-natal visits either. Expectant coupes need to realize that their child could come early, even when mom is doing everything right.

Best Parenting Advice Ever For Parents of the NICU Baby: 2. Do Not Blame Yourself

When a child is born early, parents of the NICU baby should not blame themselves. Half the time, the reason for the premature birth is unknown. When baby is premature, and needs to spend some time in the NICU, do not dwell on the fact that it happened.

Best Parenting Advice Ever For Parents of the NICU Baby: 3. Be Prepared to See the Medical Equipment

You may have been lucky enough to hold the infant before he or she was rushed off for tests. It could be hours before you are able to see him or her again. When you do walk in the NICU, be prepared to see a lot of medical equipment. When you first see the tiny infant lying helplessly and alone, with tubes and wires stuck in all different places, it's difficult not to get emotional.