5 Helpful Ways to Support a NICU Family
5 Ways You can Help Out while Mom and Dad are in the NICU with baby.
We don’t plan on being in the NICU and therefore usually have not made any plans for siblings, taking care of the house, paying bills, etc…
I had tremendous help from my Family and Friends while my daughter was in the NICU. The more Mom/Dad can be in the NICU with the baby the better outcome and healing will happen. We all want to come home with baby in your arms as soon as possible. If you don’t have to worry about things at home as much the less stressful the time will be.
So lets look at 5 different ways to Support a Family while they are in the NICU:
First and Foremost Be The Organizer: We know everyone wants to help out, its just too hard for the Family to say yes to the help all the time and also stay focused in the NICU. With a Go-To Person that can Organize It All so the parents can focus on daily activities in the NICU. The Organizer can filter all the Needs for the family and divvy out the tasks. Tasks such as:
1. Meals Prepared for the Family
Now this is probably the most obvious one but also close to the most important one. Going to the grocery story for a family can prove to be a challenge let alone actually preparing a meal.
Easy Meal Ideas that will keep everyone healthy, happy and wont break the bank or take up too much of your time:
A few examples of what to bring:
Chicken and Rice Casserole – http://www.plainchicken.com/2017/03/old-school-chicken-and-rice-casserole.html
Lasagna – https://www.rightathome.com/en-us/food-and-recipes/recipes/dinner/low-fat-lasagna – go a step further and split up the lasagna into containers so they can freeze what they don’t eat right away. My mother-in-law had this genius idea and we had meals in the freezer even when we brought our daughter home.
Breakfast Sandwiches – https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/make-ahead-freezer-breakfast-sandwiches/ don’t forget about Breakfast – these can be frozen and taken out one at a time
Add a Prepared Salad and Loaf of Bread from the Bakery.
Note: Make a double batch of any of these recipes and viola dinner for your family as well!!! TWO for ONE
2. Grocery Shopping – Go one step further and pick up some items at the grocery store that you know they may need. Examples: Paper goods, Laundry Soap, Milk, Cereal, Bread, Canned Goods
3. House Cleaning – I know, I know we don’t even like cleaning our own home, but how good does it make you feel when you are done and everything is sparkling! Offer to do a load or two of Laundry, an easy task that could really help out!
4. Siblings – Offer to watch them on the weekend because its the weekend doesn’t mean Mom and Dad get a break they still need to go to the NICU and brother or sister still needs something to do. During this time Siblings can feel, depending on their age, pushed aside and so now is an important time for them to be able to do something fun just for them. Maybe take them to the Movie Theater, the Museum, Zoo or just too their favorite restaurant. Whatever it is they enjoy, can really alleviate stress from the Parents and keep the siblings happy.
5. Prayers and Encouraging words!!! Drop a text with an Inspiring Bible Verse, Encouraging Word or Quote. Something quick and easy would really lift Spirits and help Parents throughout the day.
This list is really just the tip of the ice burg. What other ways can we help Support Families while in the NICU? Help me and lets make a list to end all lists!