About Baby

Preemie mothers describe their experience with pumping to provide breast milk for their babies, and fathers discuss ways to support the mother in this process.

Dr. Barbara Wesley, a specialist in high risk pregnancies, talks about the importance of breast milk for preemies and the steps preemie mothers can take to provide this critical nutrition for their babies.

Dr. Sue Hall describes TPN and its benefits.

Dr. Sue Hall explains why milk feedings are sometimes stopped.

5 steps to help you breastfeed is a resource with steps to help moms breastfeed their baby. © March of Dimes

How do you hold your baby when you breastfeed? is a resource with illustrations of different positions a baby can be held in while breastfeeding. © March of Dimes

Breastmilk is best for your baby. Here is information on nursing your baby in the NICU and guidelines for pumping and storing milk.

Parents choose to bottle-feed babies for many reasons. This sheet can help answer some of your questions about feeding your preemie with formula.

Feeding in the NICU is a resource with information about the many ways a baby may be fed in the NICU. © March of Dimes

Feeding your baby at home is a resource with information for families about feeding a baby once they're home, including breastfeeding, pumping, bottlefeeding, and spit up. © March of Dimes

Every parent looks forward to the day their baby will be discharged from the NICU, but having the baby home is going to present a new set of challenges for you. The more you can be mentally prepared, the easier it should be. This resource lists some realities you may face once you are home with your baby, and ways you can prepare for your baby's discharge. © TWN

Taking Care of Your Baby at Home is a resource with common thoughts and feelings NICU parents have after leaving the NICU. © March of Dimes

This brochure thanks family and friends for all of the love and support received while the baby has been in the NICU. Now that the family is coming home, they will need continued help and support. The doctors and nurses have provided information on how to keep the family and baby safe, happy and healthy, and there will be some extra precautions taken for the time being. © NICU Parent Network: Hand to Hold

Taking your baby home on medical equipment information sheet is designed to help families prepare to bring home a baby from the NICU on medical equipment. © March of Dimes

Getting ready to take your baby home from the NICU is a resource with information to help families prepare to take their baby home from the NICU, including a checklist. © March of Dimes

Everyday care is a resource with information for families about everyday life at home after the NICU, including crying and fussiness, handwashing, visiting with friends and family, and child care. © March of Dimes

Follow these special safety instructions to keep your preemie safe and healthy at home.

Your preemie's immune system needs time to develop. During this time, germs that don't make you sick at all could make the baby very sick. So you need to give your baby extra protection.

Your baby is finally ready to come home. Turn your nervous energy into positive action. Make a checklist for what you and your baby need before leaving the hospital so that you can create a safe home environment. Here's a list of items to get you started.

Breathing problems are common in NICU babies. NICU staff explain respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other lung problems, and the medicines and devices used to treat them.

Dr. Vedang Londhe explains NEC, or necrotizing enterocolitis.

Dr. Sue Hall discusses the causes of and treatments for a baby going through the withdrawal process.

Dr. Mitchell Goldstein explains what causes jaundicing of the skin and how it can be treated.

Dr. Goldstein, Dr. Walker and Dr. Hall discuss common vision issues among preemies, and how those issues can be avoided and possibly treated.

Learn about preparing for and dealing with surgery if your baby needs it. This program includes information on hospital transfers, pain management, coping, and more.

Dr. Vedang Londhe explains apnea and its current treatments.

Dr. Vedang Londhe defines BPD and addresses how neonatologists are minimizing the risk of developing this disease.

Dr. Sue Hall explains GERD, which is common among premature babies.

Dr. Mitchell Goldstein explains the precautions that are taken for babies at risk for developing hypoglycemia.

Dr. Vedang Londhe explains IVH and why a baby might be at risk for developing it.

Dr. Valencia Walker defines PDA and discusses some common treatments for it.

Caring for your baby with neonatal abstinence syndrome information sheet provides support to families who have a baby with NAS. © March of Dimes

When your baby has a serious health condition is a resource with information for families with a baby who needs surgery, has syndrome or birth defect, or who was born prematurely. © March of Dimes

Preparing for your baby's medical care after the NICU is a resource with information for families to help them prepare for their baby's medical care after discharge. © March of Dimes

Your baby's medical care after the NICU is a resource with information for families about medical care after the NICU, including seeing health care providers, vaccinations, early intervention and developmental milestones. © March of Dimes

This birth defect in the spine and spinal cord happens early in pregnancy. The bones of the spine don't fully form around the spinal cord. This creates a gap where nerves push out from the spine. In severe cases, a sac holding part of the spinal cord comes out of the skin of the back.

Common health conditions treated in the NICU is a resource that includes conditions that a baby may be treated for in the NICU. © March of Dimes

This is a condition a baby is born with. It's caused by an extra bundle of genetic information, called a "chromosome," in the body's cells. Down syndrome affects the body and the brain.

This is a raised, rubbery bump on the skin. You might see it at birth, or it may form soon after a baby is born. It can be bright red or purplish, and it can be very large. Hemangiomas often develop on the face or neck, but they form on other places, too.

When a baby is in the womb, it doesn't use its lungs. The oxygen in its blood comes from its mother. Because of this, an unborn baby has a special blood vessel called the "ductus arteriosis." It connects the baby's aorta and pulmonary artery. Soon after birth, this vessel should close. But with this condition, it stays open. This can cause serious issues.

Dr. Jeanette Whitney discusses the benefits of practicing kangaroo care with your baby.

Dr. Jeanette Whitney explains the importance of knowing your baby's visual cues, such as crying.

Dr. Erin Hamilton Spence emphasizes the importance of sleep for the development of a baby's brain.

Getting to know your baby is a resource to help families learn their baby's cues about when they're ready to interact, their schedules, and how to figure out their baby's age (if they were born prematurely). © March of Dimes

Touching and holding your baby is a resource with information for families about kangaroo care and gentle, still touch. © March of Dimes

Premature babies especially need a supportive environment to help them continue to mature and develop as they would in their mother's womb.

Dr. Vedang Londhe explains what a CPAP machine is, and how it is typically used inside the NICU.

Dr. Vedang Lodhe explains the importance of newborn screenings.

Watch this video to learn how preterm and low birth weight babies can benefit from receiving their regular vaccinations and when they can get their shots.

Dr. Susan Sward explains the purpose of a blood transfusion, as well as why a baby might need one.

Vaccination Schedule is a resource with the vaccination schedule for a child through age 6. The chart is based on information from the CDC. © March of Dimes

Watch this video to learn about how a preventive antibody can protect against RSV in infants and some toddlers and the importance of getting the vaccine.

Tests in the NICU is a resource with descriptions of tests that a baby may have while in the NICU. © March of Dimes

Watch this video to understand how your growing preterm baby develops her senses of smell, hearing, touch, and vision.

Watch this video to understand the signs that signal that your baby is experiencing stress.

Watch this video to see the common signs that show you that your baby is comfortable and content.

Watch this video to hear other parents talk about the challenges of having their child in the NICU.

Watch this video to learn the important role you play while your child is in the NICU

Watch this video to learn the strategies used to help your child feel comfortable in the NICU.

Watch how kangaroo care is used to nurture you and your baby.

All About Me information sheet is a shortened version of the Baby booklet with space for families to fill in information about the baby including, baby's birth, family and the NICU stay. © March of Dimes

In the NICU, the staff takes care of your premature baby's medical needs. But your presence is just as important. Read on to learn more.