Support for families beyond discharge from the NICU

Preparing parents for taking their baby home is a process that should begin at admission to the neonatal unit. When parents are involved in their baby's care, feel confident that they know their baby and their baby is well enough to be better care for at home their discharge can be an easy transition. This process requires time, planning, support and education to be successful as well as a range of resources and staff to enable this success. Support continues after discharge to address the specific needs and concerns that a family of a preterm baby may have. Babies who have been born preterm require specialist neurodevelopmental monitoring and follow up and may need onward referrals to address developmental or feeding concerns identified.