First of all, as someone who lived 10 days of the NICU life..
Take a deep breath. You are okay and your baby is in GREAT hands.
The nurses are trained and ready to help you care for your baby no matter your situation.
The NICU is a scary place full of medical things you don't understand and let's not even worry about the terminology coming your way.
What I want you to do is remember this..
No matter what ups or downs the day brings; EMBRACE IT. Embrace your feelings and really feel them as they come, and then let them go.
Cry if you want. Be mad if you want. But also BE HAPPY.
It's a rollercoaster and bottling your feelings up really isn't good for you.
Take photos, and take lots of them. Make sure you are in them even if you don't feel like being in them or like you won't look good enough. 6 months or years from now you'll want these memories you're making right now.
Ask. All. The. Questions.
If your brain thinks of it - ASK IT! Seriously. Those nurses and doctors are there to help you understand and you are also your child's BEST advocate. There's nothing wrong with asking questions or saying "hey what about.."
HOLD THAT BABY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!
You can't spoil a baby. They want to be held. If you can hold them - DO IT.
It's calming for you; and baby.
Plus everyone loves a good baby snuggle even if there's cords and wires and maybe even tubes.
Ultimately - just remember you ARE NOT alone and those doctors and nurses will become your family.
You're not alone. You CAN do this. And while you're in for a wild ride - you've got the most precious thing you can ask for in life.
-Jacksons mama
Cuddling that little life that is all yours is really the best medicine for you and for baby
There's nothing wrong with just staring at your baby all day every day
You can do SO much with your baby if they're stable!
You can help change diapers, feed, and bathe baby too..