Specialties & ConditionsNeonatologyResources Throughout Your NICU Stay
Throughout Your NICU Stay
Ideas for Bonding with Your Baby
This one-page PDF resource shares nine different ideas for bonding with your baby in the NICU.
How to Play with Babies
This resource offers ideas on fun ways to interact with your baby in the early months. It also explains signals your baby may use to communicate they need a break from playing.
Soothing Your Baby
This one-page guide explains the 5 S's for soothing your baby: swaddling, sideline, shushing, swinging/swaying and sucking.
NICU Volunteers
Volunteers provide positive experiences for patients. Some of the most common ways they provide support include holding patients, providing positive touch (hand hugs), playing, reading books, singing and sitting at the bedside to give parents a break. Volunteers never replace a parent; they are simply there for extra support for you and your baby.
Patients are seen through requests from family’s, clinical assessment of developmental needs or request from bedside nursing. Our best practice is collaborating with our NICU family’s and only providing volunteer visits to those who are welcoming of support. Please let a NICU staff member know if you have personal preferences related to our Volunteer Program.
Please contact your Child Life Specialist with any questions or to enroll your child in the volunteer program: Katelyn Zilles 312.227.3266.
Mental Health Resources
Our resource includes a list of hotlines, online sources of support, and counseling organizations.
Mental Health Plan
This printable mental health plan from the National Perinatal Association can help you make a plan for your mental health and wellbeing. The plan helps you understand your basic needs, define your support network, and make a plan for what to do if you need help.