Babywearing in the NICU

Published

  1. Does your NICU encourage babywearing?

    • 3
      Yes
    • 2
      No
    • 0
      Allows but doesn't encourage
    • 2
      Doesn't allow
    • 1
      Don't know

8 members have participated

Specializes in Perinatal, Substance Use Treatment- Outpatient.

Hello all!

I am looking to get some feedback from NICU nurses whose units support or educate their parents in babywearing, whether it be through the use of actual slings or through kangaroo care assistance devices like the Nuroo shirts. I am trying to put some research together to bring to my supervisor to start implementing it as part of our care so I'd love any and all input. We are not a private room NICU, so I'd especially love to hear any experiences from similar units. Thanks in advance!

**I'm knowledgeable and experienced with proper safety and guidelines for babywearing OUTSIDE the NICU, so generalized cautionary tales are not necessary. I've been wearing my child for over a year and very involved with the babywearing community. Thank you!**

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Specializes in NICU.

Our NICU doesn't allow parents to go walking around with their babies anyway, so this sort of thing isn't an issue. In terms of "kangaroo care assistance devices," all you really need is a loose or button-down shirt, a blanket to go over baby, and preferably a footstool to give parent some balance; why shell out $60 for a special top?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Parents aren't allowed to walk the unit with their babies in my unit either. As for kangaroo care, a button up shirt and a reclining chair are fine. Plus we are a county hospital, so cost would be a huge factor for us.

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Specializes in NICU.

All our babies are hooked up to monitors so parents are very limited as to how far away from the crib they can hold the infant. They must hold the baby while outside the crib, no wearing. As previous posters stated, kangaroo care with a blanket over the infant and the parent in a chair is free.

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I'm not a NICU nurse but just had a baby d/ced two weeks ago after 15 days in NICU. The staff were very supportive of baby wearing and kangaroo care. For obvious reasons while she was on monitors it was kangaroo care only but once off we had the option to baby wear.

We elected not to take her around the NICU but used the information provided to safely wear her at home. I absolutely love baby wearing and am grateful for the lessons taught by the staff. I hope every NICU encourages baby wearing.

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