You Will Get Used to the NICU

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Wish We'd Known: 18 Things No One Told Us About Having a Premature Baby

Delivering your baby early is a major shock. Here's advice to help you get through it (19 Photos)

Mindy Berry Walker on Feb 9, 2012 at 12:14PM

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a Mindy Berry Walker on Jan 27, 2012 at 12:11PM

The neonatal intensive care unit can be scary at first, but you'll quickly learn to look past the tubes, cords, machines and monitors and focus on your precious little baby. And just because your baby is in an incubator to help him stay warm (tiny infants have trouble maintaining their body heat) doesn't mean you can't hold him. Once your baby is stabilized, the NICU nurses should be able to help you -- skin-to-skin holding of your baby is a proven soother for preemies and will help both of you bond. Even when you can’t hold your baby, you can sit next to her and talk to her or sing to her -- she knows your voice and will be comforted by it.