holding child's hand with IV

Support For Parents: Having An Infant With Serious Medical Needs

June 5, 2024 General /Family

When you’re expecting a baby, there’s a lot of excitement and hope for the future. But sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Some families find out during pregnancy that there might be a problem with the baby, while others are surprised after the baby is born. Either way, it can be a really stressful and scary time.

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, but there is support

If there’s a complication during pregnancy, you may have some time to prepare for what might happen after the baby is born. But if you find out at birth or soon after, it can be even more overwhelming because it’s unexpected.

Support For Parents

Your baby might need to start their life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This can be a scary place, but it’s also where you can learn a lot and get support.

mom sitting on floor planning

While your baby is in the NICU, take the time to get ready for when they come home. You’ll probably get connected with community resources that can help with things like feeding, physical therapy, and medical equipment. There are lots of different agencies out there to help, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek out more help if you need it. WIC is a great place to start.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

When your baby finally comes home, it’s okay to set boundaries and rules for your home. Your baby might need a lot of care, with many doctor’s appointments, therapies, and maybe even surgeries. It’s a lot to handle, so don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. They can help with chores, taking care of older siblings, cooking meals, or just giving you a break.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

You might find yourself doing a lot of internet searches about your baby’s health needs. That’s normal, but make sure you’re looking at reliable websites (those ending in ‘.gov’ or ‘.edu’ are generally good sources). It’s also okay to feel a lot of different emotions during this time – like being overwhelmed, sad, or even guilty. Talk to professionals and get help if you need it. You don’t have to go through this alone.

tip-2

Check reliable websites - those ending in ‘.gov’ or ‘.edu’

Mom holding baby

Even though things might not be how you imagined, remember to enjoy your baby and celebrate their accomplishments.

Every child is special and has the potential to thrive, even if they have medical needs or disabilities. You are your baby’s biggest advocate, and you can help them reach their full potential.

Feeding a 6-7 Month Old

Feed solids with a spoon and from a bowl, never from a bottle.

Feeding a 10-12 Month Old

Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods.

Feeding a 8-9 Month Old

Feed solids with a spoon. Never put cereal in a bottle.

Tips

Mom new born home

Breast milk and formula feeding:

Around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age, babies may experience a growth spurt when they feed more often.

As they grow babies can hold more milk, so feedings may become further apart and take less time.

To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and beyond.

feeding solid foods

Feeding solid foods:

Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:

  • Can sit up and hold up their own head.
  • Opens their mouth when they see food.
  • Can close their lips around a spoon.

To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

Try one new food at a time. Wait 5 days before trying another new food to watch for allergies. Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.

Introduce peanut butter around 6 months. Spread a small, thin smear of peanut butter or nut butter thinly on a cracker.  Watch your baby for any reaction for the next 2 hours.

Babies under one year should NOT have honey due to the risk of botulism. Also, babies should not have foods that can cause choking like nuts or whole grapes.

All babies are different. Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.

Feeding Cues

Feeding a 4-5 Month Old

Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.

Feeding a 0-3 Month Old

Newborns have tiny tummies and need to be fed often. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4 hours.

Growth Spurts

Many babies are fussy during a growth spurt and will want to nurse longer and more often. This is called cluster feeding. This is your baby’s way of helping you increase your milk supply so that you can keep up with their needs. Remember, the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes.

Growth spurts can happen at any time, and every baby is different.

They often happen at these ages:

two-three-weeks

2 to 3 Weeks

6 Weeks

three-months

3 Months

six-months

6 Months

What foods can I get?

Authorized Food List
Authorized Food List

Where can I shop?