Soothing techniques in NICU when you can't hold the baby

[time2deal]

Hi,

I have a beautiful little 33 week (now 34) boy in NICU at the moment. They tell me he is doing well, but due to jaundice he goes in and out of the lights and I can't hold him at those times.

But when he cries, for the many normal reasons a baby cries and during blood draws etc, it just breaks my heart. Can anyone advise good soothing techniques when just using the hand holes? I try rubbing his head and feet but I think he now wants to be on me as I smell of milk and he loves his skin to skin time.

Its so hard when i just want to hold him to me and soothe him all the time.

Can you pat him on the back, tummy or leg with the flat of your hand, gently obviously but steadily. I still remember my mum doing this when I was little to help me sleep! I instinctively do it to my open daughter now.

I used to just place my hands on their stomach and around their head / face, I also used to take a muslin square and put in underneath my t shirt all day, I left in in the incubator underneath them so they could smell me.
Good luck.

There were posters up in our SCBU, and I can't remember exactly what was advised but think it involved a hand on the head and one on the bum, so they feel sort of 'enclosed'. Good luck with everything.

There is some info on the Bliss website about positive touch I think? I think they say most babies don't like to be rubbed or patted as it can be over stimulating but they like the weight of your hand on them or curled around them, and the sound of your voice. During blood draws etc sucking a little bit of breast milk on a syringe or dummy can be soothing for them. NICU is so hard. Hope it's not too long before you are home together.

I was told to place a firm hand over her torso and arms etc. And use other hand to cup her head. To talk to her when she was crying etc.

My dd was a 29 weeker and went under the lights on and off for what felt like forever (think it was about a week!). They look so different once all the mask etc comes off.

Hope you little ds is moved into scbu soon and you can leave the UV lights behind. It's a really tough time, but 18 months on, it's just a memory. Good luck time

Oh, they would also give the babies a drop of sucrose during blood tests etc. I think its the squeezing of the heels that seem to bother them more than the heel prick.

We were told to rest a hand on his head and another on his tummy and just keeping them still, chat to him in the incubator.

Take care and I hope he does well under the lights

Dont pat or stroke them. It upsets and overstimulates prems and in v frail ones (25-30 weekers) can even trigger cardiac arrest. Comfort holding involves still reassuring touch.

'Containment holding' cup one hand on baby's head and other hand on their bottom so they fell secure, try not to overstimulate by stroking etc. just gentle cupping and talking to baby is best. I also agree with a muslin that's you have had next to your body put in the incubator with him.
Hope you can hold him soon

I know how hard it is not being able to comfort. At one point I couldn't even touch DS because it triggered an attack.

We were told to do the cupping of the bottom and of the head and the muslim cloth thing.

Try not to stroke, their skin is thin and very sensitive and could tear and over stimulate.

I hope your little one is on the bend and moved to SCBU soon xx