Tips
Supporting Your Loved One
9 Thoughtful Tips
Support Your Loved One in the NICU
Having a baby in the NICU is an emotional and exhausting journey. Your care and support of your loved one can make all the difference, even when they don’t know how to express what they need. Below are meaningful ways to help your loved one through this challenging time.
Pray
Your prayers are needed more than you know. Even if you don't fully understand the journey your loved one is going through, lifting them up in prayer offers strength and peace during an uncertain time.
Thoughtful Texts
A simple, encouraging message like "Thinking of you and praying for your little one today" can mean the world. Avoid asking too many questions, as they may not want to share details or may feel overwhelmed. Be patient if you don't receive a response right away.
Money for Food
Sending money via mobile pay such as Cashapp, Venmo, or Zelle for food or organizing a meal train from restaurants that deliver helps relieve an incredible burden during such a hard time. This helps relieve the stress of meal planning and ensures they have nourishing food during long days at the hospital.
Travel Costs
Provide a gas card or money for parking to ease the financial burden of traveling back and forth to the NICU.
Cleaning Services
With the demands of NICU life, keeping up with housework can be overwhelming. Offer to send a professional house cleaner (with permission) to help maintain their home.
Gift a Spa Day
The stress of the NICU is beyond words. A gift card for a spa day or massage can give them a much-needed moment to decompress.
Childcare Support
If they have other children, offer to babysit or help with school pick-ups, meals, or activities. Ensuring their other children are cared for gives parents more freedom to focus on the NICU.
Notes of Hope
Drop a card in the mail, send a small care package, or deliver a favorite treat or special gift to brighten their day. Gestures like these remind them they're not alone.
Respect Their Space
NICU journeys can be long, isolating, and draining, so support is especially meaningful over time. Periodically check in with a simple text or one of the above gestures to show you're still there for them. Be understanding if they need time to themselves or aren't ready for visits. Offer support without pressuring them to engage.
