NICU support question

sjones10

We are gathering ideas on better was we can help our area NICUs. What support did you NICU do that you liked and what do you wish you had that didn't? Any suggestions are great! TIA.

PhillyGal34

our NICU didn't have any buddy system or groups, I wish they did. I felt lost and scared and it wasn't until they had a presentation by a grad who had a son who was born at 23 weeks and was doing awesome that I met anyone. I was in such a fog and so scared and felt like I would bother anyone else if I talked to them.  A mom came over and hugged me and we've been friends ever since.  Her daughter was in NICU for 12 days and her twin sons were in for a few months (while my son was there) so she had experience that helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I wish they had a formal set up.  My husband and I made sure that we reached out to two really young NICU parents who came in a few days after us and had a son next to ours. 

 Our NICU did give us an awesome binder that answered a lot of questions we had.  Since I was hospitalized the days before he was born and we knew he'd be in NICU they gave it to us early so we could read it and know what to expect.  I wish we would have gotten a tour though. The shock of everything was overwhelming the first time I went to see my son