NICU Family Support

Working with parents, families and caregivers is an important part of our neonatal program. We know this is a very difficult time for you, especially during your stay in our Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). To help make it little less overwhelming, you'll find lots of support from our neonatal team, in our NICU and throughout our system.

Supporting our NICU families

When you first arrive in our NICU, you may feel scared and overwhelmed. The following resources can help you and your family feel more confident and more comfortable partnering with us in your baby's care:

Support groups and socializing activities to provide parents of neonatal babies the opportunity to connect with each other in a casual setting.
Child development and parenting literature pieces are available to help parents take care of their new baby's needs.
NICU Case Management contacts each patient family after they go home to check on their medications and remind them of follow-up appointments.
Events for parents, families and the community.

Information about these and other resources is readily available to NICU families, just ask a staff member in the NICU.

Clinical therapists

During a stressful NICU stay, professional counseling for parents and siblings can be very beneficial. We have a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) on staff to help support our families during and after their NICU journey.

The clinical therapist or counselor is available to provide:

Supportive counseling for parents, siblings and additional family members.
Ideas and encouragement for managing stress throughout your child's NICU stay.
The opportunity to express conflicting and intense emotions associated with a NICU admission.
Individual, couple, family and group counseling.

If your child is currently in the NICU and you are interested in meeting with the counselor, please let your child's nurse or physician know.

Read this story from our Checkup Newsroom to learn how our clinical therapist has helped one former NICU parent.

Support groups

NICU support groups – Having a child in the NICU can be a very scary time. Sharing with other parents in the NICU who understand what you are going through can help.

Specialty support groups – If your baby is diagnosed with a serious or ongoing condition, you'll find understanding and helpful information in these groups

Family support and resources – A child's illness, congenital condition or injury can impact a family physically, emotionally and financially. Cook Children's offers many support services and resources for patients and families.

You'll find a lot of support here

We're here to help.

If you are interested in scheduling a tour of our NICU, please call 682-885-4375. You can find information on how to refer a patient or other NICU contact information here.