Main description:

While other books discuss growing up with a sibling with a disability, the baby that is in the NICU, or the parents of the baby, this books discusses the needs of siblings when a baby is in the NICU. This book is designed for professionals to assist families in supporting the siblings of infants hospitalized in the NICU. The birth and hospitalization of the baby is a stressful situation for the entire family, but most resources about the NICU do not focus on the needs of siblings or consider the effect on the family as a whole. The book's chapters address the many stages a family goes through when the mother has a high risk pregnancy or when the family has a baby in the NICU. High risk pregnancy, the birth of an infant who needs to be hospitalized, visiting the NICU, transitioning home, and growing together upon the infant's return home are all covered from the perspective of how to support siblings. The book also discusses sibling support groups, the birth of multiple infants, and the death of an infant.
Each chapter includes suggestions for sharing information with young siblings, ways to include siblings in the baby's life, and how to support siblings throughout this time period.