My role in caring for my baby on the unit 

This section will guide you through practical information, helpful tips, and ways you can be engaged in your baby’s care during their stay on the neonatal unit.  

If your baby was born prematurely or sick, they were probably taken away from you soon after birth.

Arriving in the neonatal unit can make many parents feel like they aren’t doing what parents should do for their baby. Parents often feel helpless and worried. This is completely normal.

Health professionals understand that it is really important to support families to parent their baby when they are on the unit.

They also know that it is really important that you always know what is happening with your baby, and that you have the information you need. This type of care for you and your family is called ‘family-centred care’ and ‘family-integrated care’.

You can read more about being a parent on the neonatal unit, including how to be a partner in your baby’s care, comfort holding, touch and skin-to-skin, and changing your baby’s nappy.

Information on being involved in your baby’s care and procedures on the neonatal unit is also available, including procedures in neonatal care, the role of parents in comfort and pain relief and working together with the neonatal care team.

Scent squares and muslins
Smell is an important sense for all neonates, as it plays a key role in their comfort and bonding. Babies are born with a strong sense of smell, and familiar scents help them feel safe and secure. The scent of their parents’ skin can soothe and calm them. 
On the unit, scent squares and muslins are available, or you can provide your own to offer a familiar, comforting smell. These cloths can be placed next to your skin during visits or even while at home, and they will hold the scent of the caregiver. This helps your baby feel more at ease, especially when they are separated from you. Familiar scents also improve feeding and sleep patterns by providing comfort and reducing stress.

Premature baby clothing
Premature clothing is available in a variety of sizes from different retailers.  
Some retailers that sell premature clothes are: 
Tesco: size 2lbs / 907 grams 
Argos: size 2lbs/ 907 grams 
Next: size 3lbs/ 1.360 kgs 
Asda: size up to 3lbs/ 1.360 kgs 
Marks and Sparks: size 3lb/1.360kgs 
Sainsburys: size 2lbs/907 grams 
Super Dinky: Special outfits for NICU baby
Matalan: size 3lbs/ 1.360 Kgs 
John Lewis: size 3lbs/1.360 kgs 

Nappies
Asda has partnered with Pampers to offer free nappies for all premature babies from its 254 instore pharmacies across the UK. 

The nappies are available free of charge and parents can pick them up by visiting an Asda pharmacy, which are open from 8am – 8pm Monday – Saturday and 10am – 4pm or 11am – 5pm on Sundays. Parents can find their nearest pharmacy by visiting the Asda website. 
Huggies Micro/Nano Preemie are available as follows:
Nano Preemie: up to 2lbs 
Micro Preemie: up to 4lbs 
Preemie: up to 6lbs    
 
Pampers Preemie nappies come in three sizes for babies weighing less than 500g up to 1800g. 
P3 <500g 
P2 <1000g 
P1 <1800g 
SO <3000g 

Colostrum
Colostrum is the first milk you produce after your baby is born. It is yellow in colour, thick in consistency. 
Colostrum is beneficial for many reasons including: 

  • supporting your baby’s immune system
  • supporting your baby’s gut development 
  • brain development 
  • improving long term health outcomes 
  • encourages progression with feeding and support’s your milk production 
  • supporting your baby’s pain relief if given as mouth care during procedures

In the first few days it is normal to only get small drops of milk, so expressing by hand means that you are able to catch these small, but precious drops of colostrum for your baby. 

Skin to skin
Skin to skin is vital for both you, and your baby. The power of human touch can influence our physiological, psychological, development, and growth.  

Discuss with the team how they can support you and your baby to have skin to skin contact. Skin-to-skin contact – Baby Friendly Initiative 

Read more on the benefits of skin-to-skin.

(EBM) Expressed Breast Milk
EBM (Expressed Breast Milk) is incredibly important for neonates, especially those who are premature or have medical conditions. Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for babies, as it contains essential nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes that support their growth and immune system. It helps protect neonates from infections, reduces the risk of certain diseases, and promotes healthy brain development.  

For preterm babies, EBM is even more crucial, as it helps with weight gain, improves feeding tolerance, and reduces the risk of complications like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Additionally, breast milk supports the bond between mother and baby, even when the baby can’t breastfeed directly.  

EBM ensures that babies receive the best possible nutrition while in the neonatal unit, setting the foundation for healthy development as they grow. 

This can also be incredibly challenging, so please ensure you look after yourself and ask for support if you need it. 

Check-list

Your checklist:   
Large Drinks Bottle 
Closed travel mug 
Favorite snacks 
Pillow blanket
Comfortable clothes, pj’s etc that allow access for skin to skin and expressing Slippers 
Phone Charger  
Tablet Charger 
Head phones 
Eye mask 
Ear plugs 
Breast pads  
Maternity pads 
Big knickers 
Nipple cream 
Lip balm
Moisturiser 
Books/audiobooks 
Pen and paper 

Baby’s checklist 
Muslin clothes for skin to skin and NEST
Blankets for skin to skin
Photos of family 
Small toys/teddy’s 
Books to read to baby 
Nappies 
Milestone cards 
Clothing, baby grows, hats and vests