A Day In the Life of a NICU Family
No matter how hard you (and we) try, nothing can fully prepare you for if your baby needs to be cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It may not be the start you imagined, and at first, the environment can feel overwhelming with equipment, monitors, and a rhythm that’s completely unfamiliar.
But within that space, there can also be deep and meaningful moments that you will never forget.
When you first arrive on the Neonatal Unit with your baby, it can feel scary seeing all of the tubes and wires connected to your tiny bundle of joy. The sounds of machines, the blinking monitors, it can all feel like a lot to take in.
Learning how to connect with your baby in this environment can feel unfamiliar at first. There’s no getting around that. But our staff are here to walk alongside you, helping you understand what’s normal, showing you how to interact safely, and supporting you as you begin to bond and care for your baby in new ways. We want to help you feel as confident and connected as possible during your time with us.
One NICU mum, who spent time both on the Oliver Fisher Special Care Neonatal Unit and later in Tunbridge Wells, shared her experiences of their time on the NICU and the joy of being able to finally hold her babies, navigating the wires and restrictions, to find some connection:
“I got my first cuddle with the boys two days after they were born. The nurses helped me carefully navigate the wires and tubes, lifting one baby at a time onto my chest. They were so small that I could barely feel their weight, yet that first skin-to-skin contact is something I will never forget.”
She continued to share about how important it was to find small ways to stay connected, especially when she couldn’t be there all the time:
“Every night I took comfort in the small muslins and knitted squares the hospital provided. We would swap them daily so that the boys had one that smelled like me, and I had one that smelled like them. It helped my milk production and, in some strange way, helped me feel connected to them when I could not be there.
The nurses also used an app to send us updates, often with little photos and notes about the boys’ day. Sometimes it was a short message like ‘no desats today’, but that was enough to lift my whole mood. When you are a NICU parent, no news is good news, and even the smallest update can make you breathe again.”
In those early days, it’s often the simplest things that help you feel close. Our team will do all we can to support that connection, helping you to feel involved, informed, and part of your baby’s care, even in the moments you can’t be there. In the NICU, progress often comes in small, steady steps, and we love to celebrate those small wins as big ones.
The first tolerated feed.
A little weight gain.
Breathing without oxygen support.
Whatever the milestone, each step forward matters, and it’s okay to celebrate every one. (We’ll be celebrating with you.)
“Before the twins were born, I used to take so many things for granted. Now I celebrate the tiniest wins.”
We know that nothing can replace the comfort of being surrounded by your family, but our team care deeply, not just for your baby, but for you too. Over time, what feels unfamiliar can begin to feel more manageable. What once felt like an overwhelming environment can slowly become a place you understand…even, in some ways, a little second home for a season. And you may find your confidence growing alongside your baby’s strength.
Being on the unit isn’t the whole story.
When the day comes to take your baby home, it can feel like a quiet but powerful milestone, one filled with relief, joy, and everything you’ve walked through to get there. You may go home with medical equipment, new routines, and lots of information to take in. You may carry some worries and fears with you. It’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty as you begin this next chapter.
But alongside that, there is something deeply special about finally being together at home.
“We had waited 108 long, exhausting, terrifying days for that moment [of going home]. But the fear did not vanish overnight. Teddy was still tiny, still fragile, and needed careful feeding through his NG tube. I was terrified something might go wrong, but over time I learned to trust myself again.
Our house was filled with medical equipment and baby noise, but also laughter and love. Olivia and Sophia finally had their brothers home, and the girls were so proud. They would stand beside the cot, singing to them and telling them how strong they were. For the first time in months, our family felt whole again.”
Every NICU journey is different. However your experience unfolds, you are not alone, and there is support around you every step of the way.
We have so much we could share with you about how your journey may look, but since every story is different, we’ll leave you with this quote from our NICU Mum instead, which sums it up nicely:
“To any parent walking into NICU for the first time: please know that you are not alone. Take each day as it comes. No news really is good news. Cry when you need to, rest when you can, and celebrate every small victory.”
And the wonderful staff at The Oliver Fisher Special Care Neonatal Unit will be with you every step of the way.
If you’d like to read the full story from this NICU mum, you can find it over on her blog.
You’re not alone in this journey. If you’d like more support, guidance, or helpful information, you can find it here on our website.
