Preparing to go home

When can your baby go home?

Getting organized: what to expect

Checklist: Preemie clothing and supplies

Preparing siblings for the new baby

Transitioning from the neonatal unit to home

Preparing for discharge

Going home by car

Going home on oxygen

Follow-up appointments

Preemie care at home

Challenges & support

Feeding your baby at home

Bathing your preterm baby

Your baby's sleep

Signs that your baby might be unwell

Medical care and equipment

Suitability of the environment

Pets

Visits from family and friends

Follow-up care after the neonatal unit

Medical support when you come home

Early intervention

Immunization

Stimulation

Physiotherapy and other therapeutic support

Preemie development

Adjusted age development

Preemie growth and weight

Preemie milestones

Preterm birth: long-term impact

Kindergarten and pre-school

Primary school and high school

Long-term health effects

Social experiences and relationships

Involving family and friends

Support groups and organizations

Coping with worry

How you might be feeling

What you can do to help

Follow-up visits after giving birth

Financial information

Child support

Maternity and parental leave

Health insurance and social services

Charities

Stories from our community

FAQs

Downloads

Glossary

Parent Support Groups

Details

Parent support

Involving family and friends

Grandmother gently touching a newborn held by the mother.

Learn ways to keep loved ones informed and engaged in your NICU journey, helping them offer support during this time.

Support groups and organizations

Parents lifting their baby in the air, sharing a joyful moment.

Discover support groups and organizations dedicated to families of preterm or sick babies that offer help and community.

Coping with worry

Counsellor taking notes during a family support session.

Find ways to manage the stress and worry of having a preterm or sick baby in the NICU, with coping strategies and support.

Follow-up visits after giving birth

A doctor speaking with a smiling patient in a medical facility.

Read more about the importance of follow-up visits and check-ups after the birth of your baby.

Financial information

Learn about the local financial resources available for NICU families, from child support to healthcare services.

Stories from our community

Twin girls with glasses laughing together outdoors.

Discover the experiences shared by others and gain strength from those who have been through it.

FAQs

Baby exploring books on a shelf, surrounded by colourful books.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about NICU life, from common concerns to the basics of what to expect.

Downloads

Therapist observing a child drawing during a therapy session.

Access helpful resources and downloads to support you during your NICU journey, from checklists to guides.

Glossary

Mother reading a book to her baby while sitting on a sofa.

Learn key terms to better understand your baby's care in the NICU, after discharge, and during follow-up care.

It can be helpful for parents to talk to trusted confidants who will listen to their experience and be emphatic. Joining infant loss support groups can be beneficial and connecting with a friend who has also experienced a similar loss can provide immense comfort. — Expert advice from Prof. Dieter Wolke. ©Neopedia

The journey of having a preterm or sick baby can be filled with unexpected challenges – emotionally, practically, and financially. Finding the right support can make a world of difference during this time.

Whether you are seeking support for emotional challenges, looking for resources to help manage day-to-day tasks, or simply needing to connect with others who understand what you are going through, support groups and organizations can offer much-needed assistance.

The information on this page was reviewed by Dr Tiffany Gladdis, Neonatal/ Perinatal Psychologist and Professor Dieter Wolke, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences. Last updated in May 2025.

GFCNI

Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants

GFCNI works to improve newborn health by advocating for high-quality, accessible, and equitable care, long-term follow-up, and continuing care for both mother and infant in each region of the world.

Imprint

Neopedia is your neonatal care encyclopedia about prematurity, hospitalization, and beyond.

Neopedia offers information and advice of a general nature, which are not a substitute for professional medical consultation or treatment by healthcare professionals. Always consult your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Acknowledgements

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