• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to B-Inspired Mama Newsletters TODAY!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • The “Fun Finds for Kids” Shop

B-Inspired Mama

Kids Crafts · Play & Learning Activities · Fun Food · Creative Parenting Tips

  • Home
  • Kids Crafts
    • Painting
    • Mixed Media
    • Hand Print Art
    • Art History
  • Play and Learning
    • Fine Motor Fun
    • Play Dough
    • Outdoor Play
    • Literacy & Reading
    • Math Fun
    • Science Fun
    • Sensory Play & Sensory Processing
  • Family Recipes
    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Lunch Ideas
    • Snack Ideas
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Dessert
    • Beverages
  • Creative Parenting
    • Sleep Issues
    • Picky Eaters
    • Gentle Discipline
    • Potty Training
    • Health & Safety
    • Special Needs
    • Taking Care of Mom
    • Household Management
  • Printables
    • Printable Activities for Kids
    • Coloring Pages
    • Printable Parenting Tools
    • Home & DIY Printables
Home » Parenting » Newborns & Babies » What to Say – and NOT Say – to Moms of NICU Babies

What to Say – and NOT Say – to Moms of NICU Babies

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 1 Comment

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Sharing is caring!

497 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of March of Dimes.  The opinions and text are all mine.  Please see my disclosure statement.

I don’t have statistics, but I’ve yet to meet a fellow mom who hasn’t been touched in some way by a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit experience.

When I share my two separate experiences – about my 2 NICU babies, Sawyer and J.C. – women who’ve been there, too, nod in understanding.  Others share similar stories of friends and family who have had NICU babies, too.

How Can We Encourage Moms of NICU Babies?

But I’ve learned through having friends with NICU babies and having my own NICU babies, people don’t always know what to say to moms with babies in the NICU.  Here are my suggestions…

What to Say - and What NOT to Say - to Moms of NICU Babies

What to Say – and NOT Say – to Moms of NICU Babies

Don’t say…

“He’s so tiny!  How adorable.”

Of course, he’s precious.  But moms of micro-preemies and preemies may not be reveling in how adorable their baby’s tiny size is.  They are more likely too busy worrying about the tiny size of their baby’s lungs and the struggles and potential complications preemies face.

Instead, say…

“He has his daddy’s beautiful eyes!”

Comment on other adorable features than the baby’s tiny size.  A premature baby might be tiny and have a unique look, but mom and dad will still appreciate someone seeing their own features in their baby.

 

Don’t say…

“Can I come visit?!”

You know how having visitors at the hospital and when you have a newborn at home can be kind of… crazy?  Multiply that by 100.  Plus, most NICUs have very strict visitation policies to protect the NICU babies from germs.

Instead, say…

“I’m here if you need someone to talk to?”

With that strict visitation policy, the NICU can feel like a pretty lonely place.  Let your friend know you’re only a phone call away if she needs to talk on the phone or to share over coffee in the waiting room.

One of my sweet NICU Babies - B-Inspired Mama

My sweet J.C. in the NICU after being born over 5 weeks premature.

Don’t say…

“Everything’s okay.”

Quite frankly, sometimes it’s not.  Not every NICU mama has a happy ending.  Not every baby comes home.

Instead, say…

“I will be here for you.”

Instead of predicting the future, just make sure your friend knows you’ll be there for her.  No matter the outcome.

 

Don’t say…

“…”

Don’t say nothing.  Yes, your friend is busy.  Her cell phone will be locked in the NICU locker while she’s doing skin to skin.  Her computer might be neglected while she stays in the NICU parent room.

Instead….

Make the phone call.  Send a quick Facebook message.  She’ll hear your voicemail or read your message eventually.  And she’ll love you for it.

One of my NICU Babies - B-Inspired Mama

My sweet Sawyer in the NICU after he experienced Meconium Aspiration at birth.

You Can Send Encouragement to a NICU Family TODAY!

To further their mission of improving the health of babies and preventing premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality, the March of Dimes has launched the Give them tomorrow initiative.  You can take action TODAY to help give families with premature babies the chance to celebrate their baby’s firsts by either writing a card of hope to a mother and a premature baby in the NICU or donating to the March of Dimes. 

March of Dimes Give them tomorrow

Here’s how to Give them tomorrow…

  1. Share a social media post (of encouragement or sharing one of your baby’s firsts) with the hashtags #babysfirst and #givethemtomorrow (must use both hashtags)
  2. Write a digital message of hope with a card that will be delivered to a family with a baby in the NICU
  3. Donate to March of Dimes to support research to find the causes and treatments for premature birth

 

Find this Helpful?  Share with Friends!

Just click on one of the social sharing buttons at the top or bottom of the post to share on social media.  I’d really appreciate it!

What to Say - and What NOT to Say - to Moms of NICU Babies

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of March of Dimes. The opinions and text are all mine.

Get MORE Parenting Tips + a FREE Gift!

Sign up for the newsletter to get MORE parenting tips & resources, and we'll send you a FREE gift - Printable Conversation Starters for Kids and Parents - right in your inbox TODAY!

Great! Now, pop on over to your email to confirm and download your printable.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

No worries. I hate SPAM. (The email and the food kind. Eww!) I won't abuse or share your email. Powered by ConvertKit

Sharing is caring!

497 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email

Filed Under: Health & Safety, Newborns & Babies, Parenting, Special Needs Tagged With: Babies, Encouragement, Newborns, NICU Babies

About Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

Previous Post: « 2 Cool Toys Your High-Tech Kids will Love and Learn From
Next Post: A Crazy-Easy Cheesy Potato Recipe Your Kids will Love! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Devann says

    August 7, 2021 at 2:07 PM

    Don’t say “well, they weren’t supposed to be home yet anyway. Or they wouldn’t be home if they were still in your belly”

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Meet Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Footer

Follow Along on Social Media:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Browse by Category:

Browse by Date:

Disclosure: This Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Influencer Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (without the cost being higher for you).

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress