Separation and Bonding in the NICU

ONE of the earliest feelings of my life in the NICU was being separated from my baby. This feeling still prevails within me as I am writing this blog. This feeling of separation can only be felt deeply by the families who have gone through similar trauma in their lives.

Each one of us ended up in NICU expecting the unexpected. 

Initially, it was very hard as parents--both me and my husband wanted to be with the baby. At that time, I just wanted to hold my baby close to my skin--in my arms and never let him go. The acknowledgment of the separation feelings were important at that time.

Every day my other kids would rush towards the door expecting our new baby to come home that day. It was painful to tell them that baby was not coming home yet.

A mother's bonding sprouts the day the woman is told that she is expecting. It is a wonderful feeling. During pregnancy you think about what the baby will look like, his birth, first eye contact, first skin-to-skin contact, first touch of holding tiny fingers--all of these are crucial  for the families. 

In the end, I must say that I am forever grateful to the NICU for letting moms and dads hold babies' hands, use the skin-to-skin method and their cradling program. These programs helped to ease separation and develop a healthy normal bonding with the beautiful child.

What was the first feeling you had when you were in the NICU? How did you bond with your baby?
 
Blog by
C