Parents and Young Siblings of Premature Infants

Techniques for breastfeeding premature infants and infants with special needs and medical needs are discussed.

This booklet provides tips to parents who are preparing to bring their infants home from the NICU.

This book is the key to providing family-centered, developmentally supportive guidance in the months after the NICU. Professionals will deepen their understanding of the emotional and physical challenges of the NICU experience, and they will get in-depth guidance on how to support parents effectively.

This book is intended to help preemie moms navigate their preemie rollercoaster rides and achieve a sense of power and control over their situations, rather than succumbing to feelings of isolation and anxiety.

A young girl describes her excitement of having a new brother, but she is very frustrated that her parents have to spend a lot of time with him in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

With a focus on the parent being an important member of a premature infant’s care team, this DVD explains the practice of skin-to-skin contact for premature babies, or kangaroo care, and how it benefits both the parents and the infant.

Video Duration: 29 min

This book provides an overview of kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin contact between an infant and a parent, including how to do it and the benefits for the infant and the parents.

This two-part DVD explains the reasoning behind skin-to-skin contact for newborn babies, or kangaroo care, and how to care for an infant using this method. Part I of this DVD is also available in Spanish.

Video Duration: 78 min

A young girl visits her baby sister in the NICU and learns how the doctors and nurses take care of her sister.

This comprehensive book contains information about taking care of a premature infant, including feeding, medical complications, life at home, and much more.

This DVD explains what parents can expect while their infant is the NICU, including understanding a premature baby’s signals and the best ways for parents to take care of their preemie. Introduction to the development of preterm infants for parents. Based on current research, the program shows parents ways in which they can help support the normal growth and development of their baby’s brain.

Video Duration: 39 min

This DVD focuses on prematurity and the medical needs, problems, and equipment encountered by premature infants in the NICU.

Video Duration: 29 min

The author, a mother of twins who were born prematurely, shares her experiences to guide parents through their baby’s time in the NICU.

Written by a neonatologist and two mothers of premature infants, this book includes a variety of information about preemies, from pregnancy to early childhood. It also includes growth charts and extra resources related to premature infants.

These short video vignettes with Dr. Siobhan Dolan educate women on how to reduce their risk of having a premature birth. Discusses who is at risk for preterm labor, the signs and symptoms, and what to do if you have preterm labor, and the reasons why reducing your risk of premature birth is important.

Video Duration: 19 min

This short book explains the transition from the NICU to the home and discusses the issues that might arise during this transition. Family centered care principles are explained to help parents gain confidence taking care of their premature baby.

Siblings have an important role in families with infants in the NICU. This book includes developmentally appropriate suggestions of how to communicate with siblings of all ages about a premature baby.

The author, an OB/GYN, shares her medical expertise and experiences as a mother of triplets who were born premature. This book includes information about the NICU as well as life at home with a premature infant.

In this remarkable book about personal and professional transformation, neonatal expert Sue Ludwig shares her journey from burned-out caregiver to powerful changemaker, and the lessons about self-care and energy she learned on the NICU floor. Through case studies, reflection, and practical tools, she guides you toward living a more purposeful, energetic, and intentional life.

This book will guide parents through their NICU journey, help them communicate with members of the NICU team, and learn about their baby’s condition.

This three-part series, available in both English and Spanish, follows preemies and their parents from their time in the NICU to when the baby goes home. Topics include an overview of the NICU environment, feeding and taking care of a preemie, and kangaroo care. Also available in Spanish.

Video Duration: 29 min

This three-part series, available in both English and Spanish, follows preemies and their parents from their time in the NICU to when the baby goes home. Topics include an overview of the NICU environment, feeding and taking care of a preemie, and kangaroo care. Also in Spanish.

Video Duration: 26 min

This three-part series, available in both English and Spanish, follows preemies and their parents from their time in the NICU to when the baby goes home. Topics include an overview of the NICU environment, feeding and taking care of a preemie, and kangaroo care. Also in Spanish.

Video Duration: 26 min

This article provides an overview of the NICU experience, including what parents can do to support their infants and what the infant is learning from these experiences.

This article describes a study that looked at preliminary evidence to support the Baby Bridge program, as an implementation strategy, to improve early access to therapy services following NICU discharge.

Our mission is to support, comfort, inform, and guide families who experience a premature birth. We collaborate with the healthcare community and other parents of preemies to improve the well-being of preterm babies and families.

March of Dimes is a national nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. March of Dimes advocates for policies to protect mothers and babies, works to improve the health care they receive, funds research to find solutions and provides families with the knowledge and tools to have healthier pregnancies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics features information about the NICU, including how parents can be involved in the care of their baby, skin-to-skin care, and preparing to bring the baby home.

The Mayo Clinic provides information about premature infants, including taking care of a premature baby in the NICU and after your baby comes home.