Stepping Into the NICU for the First Time | From a NICU Mama Who’s Been There

If you're stepping into the NICU for the first time, it can feel overwhelming fast. The monitors, wires, alarms, feeding tubes, oxygen, nurses, doctors, and medical equipment can make you wonder what is happening and what you're supposed to do as a parent. In this video, I'm sharing what it feels like to walk into the NICU for the first time from the perspective of a NICU mama who has been there. This is not a medical explanation of the NICU — this is the parent side of it. We'll talk about what NICU parents may see when they first walk into the neonatal intensive care unit, including NICU monitors, oxygen support, feeding tubes, CPAP, wires, alarms, diaper changes, feeding your baby, holding your baby, and learning how to be a parent in the middle of a hospital environment. One of the hardest parts of becoming a NICU parent is feeling like everyone else knows what they're doing except you. You may be scared to touch your baby, nervous about the monitors, unsure what the numbers mean, or afraid to ask the NICU nurses for help. I want you to know that you are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to learn. And you are still your baby's mama or daddy even when the NICU feels unfamiliar. If you are a new NICU mom (or NICU dad), and you recently found out your baby needs NICU care, I hope this video helps make your first days in the NICU feel a little less intimidating. This channel is about everything NICU and PICU through the lens of a mama who's been there — not once, but twice. DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, nurse, therapist, or medical professional. I am sharing my personal experience as a NICU/PICU mama. Always speak with your baby's medical team about medical concerns or questions. #nicu #nicumom #preemiebaby #nicustrong #preemiestrong #niculife