Caring For Your NICU Baby At Home

Every new parent has moments of uncertainty and concern when it comes to their newborn. Even the tiniest gurgles, sneezes or pauses in breathing can make you worry, especially if your child is a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduate. We recently spoke with Destiny Harrell-Washington, DO, a pediatrician with Franciscan Physician Network, about the common questions and concerns parents face after bringing their newborn home from the NICU.

Special Care For NICU Graduates

If you had a baby in the NICU, you most likely have your own set of unique questions and concerns. Dr. Harrell-Washington makes sure she talks about those concerns and answers any questions a parent may have.

“It’s important to talk about any extra vitamins the baby needs, too,” she said. During the third trimester of pregnancy, a mom will build up a lot of iron for the baby, so many NICU babies lack enough iron at birth. “Because of this, we recommend additional nutrients, like a pediatric multivitamin with iron, usually for the first year of their life.”

Why Does A Newborn Stay In The NICU?

A baby might need NICU care for many reasons. Dr. Harrell-Washington said prematurity is a top reason. She noted at certain hospitals, any baby born at 35 weeks or less routinely enters the NICU. A newborn might also need a NICU for feeding issues since many cannot suck by themselves or for breathing problems because they have immature lungs. Sometimes if the mom gets an infection or fever during delivery, she can pass it to the baby and cause an infection.

Premature babies have specific needs depending on when they are born — between 24 to 35 weeks. Some might need specialized equipment like a G-tube for feeding or a trach tube for breathing. Chronic lung diseases can also increase the risk of conditions like asthma. For these little warriors, specific medical care and attention are important.

Caring For Yourself And Your NICU Graduate

Having a baby in the NICU can be emotionally draining for families. If babies end up needing intensive care, it can crush the joy of expecting to take a baby home. Dr. Harrell-Washington said it’s so important to have emotional support during these times — family, friends and other NICU parents can help.

“NICU nurses are amazing,” she said. “They provide great care, compassionate bedside support and help coordinate questions parents might have with the neonatologist.”

Despite the emotions of a NICU journey, Dr. Harrell-Washington said she finds unlimited rewards. She enjoys experiencing the milestones NICU babies achieve, like their first smile or the moment they get their G-tube out. “Watching these tiny champions grow and flourish is a joy like no other.”

Home Care For Your NICU Graduate

For parents gearing up to welcome their newborn home, Dr. Harrell-Washington suggests ways parents can prepare:

• Car Seat Check: Especially for NICU graduates who might be smaller than average, make sure your car seat’s minimum weight requirement matches your baby’s weight.
• Safe Sleep Environment: Create a safe sleep setting for your baby, like a bedside bassinet. Remember, do not let your baby sleep with you in your bed.
• Classes: Many hospitals offer infant CPR and breastfeeding classes. These can be great classes for first-time parents. Find a class at Franciscan Health.

With the right guidance and a little bit of preparation, parents can navigate these early stages with confidence.

Common Concerns With Newborns

Newborns make many different sounds. Throughout the day, they might even have different breathing patterns — ones that can understandably make a new parent pause.

“It’s a phenomenon called periodic breathing,” said Dr. Harrell-Washington. “Periodic breathing is when a newborn breathes really, really fast, then very shallow. Sometimes the baby might even have a brief pause in their breathing.”

While irregular breathing can cause concern, it’s very common in newborns, said Dr. Harrell-Washington. “It typically resolves by about 6 months of age,” she said.

Other familiar sounds a newborn might make include grunting, hiccupping, sneezing and snorting. Many newborns sneeze frequently because of the amniotic fluid still in their system. It’s usually not a sign of illness; they’re just trying to remove that residual fluid.

Gas can also be a challenge for these little ones.

“Newborns are very gassy,” said Dr. Harrell-Washington. To help relieve this, she recommends massaging their stomachs, moving their legs in a bicycle motion, using over-the-counter gas drops, probiotics, or even considering a change in formula if necessary.

Talk to your pediatrician about caring for your NICU graduate. Schedule their check-ups today.