Things I wish I had known

When you first arrive, you can feel overwhelmed with information. These are some of the things parents who have had babies on the unit wish they had known when they first arrived.

  • "If you have any questions, ASK! The staff are always happy answer your questions. I spent ages needlessly waiting for things, wondering what I should be doing or worrying about things. The staff are all very friendly and helpful."
  • "To start with I didn't really believe that I could come and see my baby at any time, day or night. I kept thinking I should be asking someone for permission. But as a parent, you can literally come at any time."
  • "You can get subsidised parking, we spent over £20 on parking before we discovered the subsidy system. I am sure we were told at the beginning but we were told so much we forgot" - see page on parking.
  • "When you first come onto the ward in the morning, check the board to see which cot/room your baby is in and who is key nurse is for the day. They sometimes move the cots around which can be alarming if your baby isn't where you left him!"
  • "When you first start expressing it is perfectly normal to get nothing out, particularly if your baby is premature. Keep going and milk will appear over a few days - but not in bottles full, that takes a bit more time." - Download the Expressing Milk Guide (pdf) for more information.
  • "You can express milk from two breasts at once - it halves the time!"
  • "Try to get out of the hospital at least once a day to have some time to yourself" - see the page on things to do in the area.
  • "I wish I had known how close the shopping centre is, it is just down at the bottom of the hill."
  • If you are walking up St Michaels's Hill, walk up the left hand side. Instead of being one long steep hill, the path has steps and intervals which makes it much easier.
  • "Ask NICU reception for a locker - very useful."
  • "Be prepared for things to change very quickly."
  • "Don't buy lots of tiny baby clothes. Our baby grew out of them so quickly that he hardly wore them. There are lots of clothes on the unit which you can borrow, ask at NICU reception."

 

 

 

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