Support your child as best you can

• Stay with your child as much as possible.
• Bring items that are special for your child from home to make the crib a more comforting place.
• Place photos of family and pets near the crib where your child can see them.
• Comfort your child as you would at home; don't change because you are in the hospital.
• Feel free to hold your child. If you're worried about IV lines, monitor wires, etc., ask your nurse how to best pick up, hold and cuddle your child
• Ask what is on your child’s daily schedule of activities
• Ask questions. If you know what to expect, you can be of more help to your child
•  Keep normal routines if possible for sleeping, napping and eating.

Monitor your infant’s stimulation level, and help to regulate stimulation

• An infant seeking stimulation may make eye contact, coo, look around the room, and have a relaxed, open expression.
• Offer toys, peek-a-boo, singing songs with actions (i.e. “The Itsy Bitsy Spider), and changes in scenery (crib mobiles, walks, carrying around the hospital room).  
• Consider toys with interesting textures and scents.
• An over-stimulated infant will often look away, and may hiccup, arch her back, wrinkle her nose, try to move away from the source of stimulation, and/or cry.
• When over-stimulated, try to minimize stimulation (turn off TV, shut blinds, turn off radio, put away toys, talk softly, clear cluttered room decorations, etc). Do activities one at a time, cuddle, and/or sing with your baby.
• Sucking is an infant’s tool for soothing herself.  If appropriate, provide pacifiers and other clean toys for your child to suck on.

Talk often, openly and honestly with the hospital team

• Ask questions about your child’s care.
• Find out how to participate in your child’s care.
• Keep notes. Write down questions you want to ask.
• Tell the medical staff about your child as an individual. Tell them what your child likes, ways of comforting that work, favorite toys, etc. You know your child best.

Take care of yourself

• Take breaks
• Eat sensible meals
• Get a good night's rest

At home, expect some temporary changes in your child’s behavior

• Changes in sleeping, eating and toileting behaviors are normal reactions to     
  being in the hospital.
• New fears may develop. Your child might be scared by new people, places, changes and have a tendency to cling to parents.
•  Patience. Reassurance. A return to regular home routines will help your child adjust to being home again.