Parenting in the NICU

Abstract

Some common emotions and responses to having an infant in the NICU can include • fear of the unknown • guilt for having the baby early or feeling responsible for what happened • grieving the loss of a typical birth experience and not having a healthy baby • feeling helpless to comfort their infant • fears their infant will experience pain • frustration over being separated from their infant • fear of the future and the financial burden a NICU admission can cause.