This is for all parents who have that hard task of visiting your baby in the NICU.  My daughter was in the Neonatal Intesive Care Unit for a week when she ws born and I have to say that it was the hardest thing to go thru.  I got

Thought it's hard to be there and see your little one in the incubator, they need you!  Your touch and words are very important to your child.  Studies have proven that by talking, and holding(if possible) has greatly reduced time that a baby has to be in the NICU.  Find out programs to hold your baby.  In the hospital where I had my girl they had a program where I could hold her skin to skin.  And the nurses there incouraged it very much. 

Talk to the medical team and tell them that you want to be informed.  Even if you can not do alot with your baby, this can help that felling of helplessness that mom can get.  It helped me to know what medicine she was getting, how much, when, and to watch the nurse give it.  Also I made sure that they gave me or my husband a report on my daughters activites, upcomng tests and the results.  The more you know, the better you will feel and can also make desicions with them.  Be sure to ask questions, after all you do have alot of say for the care of your little one.

Find out what you can do and do it.  Change the diapers, feed them, whether a bottle or feeding tube (if not automatic).  Change the clothing.  There was alot that we could do with our baby.  It was as if we were home, but not. 

Bring things in for the baby, clothes, toys, pictures.  This is very important too.  It helps to bring a stronger bond between you and our baby.  Also, if permiting spend as much time as you can.  Don't be afraid about the visitng hours.  Unless they tell you, the nurses want to have you there. 

And last, talk to people, the nurses, other families.  The more support you have in the NICU, not just the family, the easier it is.  I know for me it was very comfoting to be able to talk to the nurses and a few moms.  Just seeing other families caring for their babies really brought me comfort.

Praying also helped alot.  It's very hard not to be able to bring home that bubdle of joy when they come into the world.  But time to does pass and that sadness will turn to joy.  I heard this from one of the counselers in the NICU and they told me that "your baby is just special"  She said that her son loves to look at pictures of him when he was in the NICU.  She said that it made him feel so special and proud to be where he was today.   Now I look back at my healthy little girl and am so greatful for all that the staff let us do to be her parents while she was in there.