Resources for NICU parents

Community Health Education Center (CHEC)

In addition to the support of your baby’s medical care team, Salem Health provides connections to many support groups and classes. Our Community Health Education Center (CHEC) offers several classes and support groups for families. The CHEC provides a comfortable setting for people to gather and share information in groups. Support groups are often the one place where others truly understand what you are experiencing. They also connect you to other local support systems and resources. Check out some of the classes the CHEC has to offer:

Car Seat Safety

One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is making sure your child is safe when riding in a vehicle. Learn how to install a car seat into your car and make sure your child is safe.

Infant CPR & Choking

Learn how you can help when your baby is choking, how to respond to breathing or heart emergencies and how to childproof your home. Techniques are based on the American Heart Association Family & Friends guidance.

Support with postpartum depression

Spending any amount of time in the NICU can be a stressful experience, even for a few hours. This can be a difficult and emotional time for families. It’s normal to experience a range of emotions and changes in behavior while your baby is in the NICU.

Some emotions and symptoms you could experience in this moment include:

Feeling sad or depressed
Feeling more irritable or angry with those around you
Having difficulty bonding with your baby
Feeling anxious or panicky
Having problems with eating and/or sleeping

Having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind
Feeling as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”
Feeling like you never should have become a parent
Worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself

Any of these symptoms, and many more, could indicate you have a form of perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, such as postpartum depression (also called PPD). While many women experience mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, PPD affects up to one in eight women (about 12.5 percent). Symptoms can appear at any time during pregnancy and in the first 12 months after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options to help you recover. Please know that with informed care you can fully recover and prevent worsening of these symptoms.

If you find it difficult to deal with these feelings, you may benefit from seeing a professional counselor if:

• You think it may help you feel better

• Your ability to cope with the situation is not improving and you feel stuck

• You continue to find no joy in other parts of your life

• You have trouble with your relationship with your partner or others close to you

• You feel a parent support group isn’t “quite enough”

It is essential to speak with a professional counselor if:

• You feel prolonged numbness or detachment

• You continue to feel detached from your baby

• You have trouble getting out of bed or starting your day

• You feel unable to cope or manage other responsibilities

• You think about harming yourself or others

Your provider, a hospital social worker or a psychologist can refer you to a counselor who understands the trauma of having a baby in the NICU. Even just a couple of visits might give you the reassurance and support you need.

If you’re considering suicide, this is a medical emergency. Have your partner, friend or family member take you to the emergency room or call 911.

Remember that help is just a call away. Reach out to your local suicide hotline now – a compassionate voice is ready to listen, support and guide you through the darkness. You don’t have to face this alone. Make the call because your life matters.

Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Available 24 hours a day / seven days a week.

For more information, you can visit Postpartum Support International (PSI) or call the PSI HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773 (#1 En Español or #2 English). You deserve to get the help you need.

Mom and Me (breastfeeding support group)
Get breastfeeding support from a Salem Health lactation consultant, regardless of where or when you had your baby. Contact our lactation consultants at 503-814-4539 if you have additional questions.

Mothers of Super Preemies (Facebook group)
A support group for mothers of premature babies and mothers who are currently hospitalized or experiencing complications and expecting a premature baby.

NICU Parents Salem OR (Facebook group)
A community of parents, family, friends and professionals who have traveled the NICU path.

Nursing and Pumping Moms (Facebook group)
This is a safe and supportive group for mothers to get experience, hope and help with all things related to nursing and pumping.

Preemie/NICU Moms (Facebook group)
This is a closed support group for, and ran by, mothers of preemies/NICU warriors. They share stories, raise awareness, ask questions and share baby pictures.

Salem Area NICU Parents Connection (Facebook group)
Through peer-to-peer support, this group connects both current and former NICU families to discuss everything from feeding, development to PTSD and more. All current and former NICU parents are welcome to participate.

Important: Salem Health does not endorse specific groups, commercial products, manufacturers, companies, trademarks or websites listed in this section.

Family resources

Looking for more resources for NICU parents? You’re in the right place! Reliable online resources can be valuable for you and your family. Here are some trusted recommendations on various topics: