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Being a parent on the neonatal unit

Find out how Family Integrated Care (FICare) can help you be involved in caring for your baby during their time on the neonatal unit.

A dad is doing skin-to-skin, sitting in a hospital chair, while a mum is holding up the tube feeding their baby.

Family Integrated Care

Neonatal units work with families to provide Family Integrated Care (FICare) for each baby. FICare is a model of neonatal care which promotes a culture of partnership…

Premature baby attached to tubes being comforted by parent's hands

Parents’ stories of caring for their babies…

We interviewed different families about their unique experiences of FICare, these are shown in a series of videos.

How to be a partner in your baby's care

There are lots of ways you can get involved with your baby’s care on the neonatal unit.

Comfort holding, touch, skin to skin and…

Touch is an important way to comfort your baby and to show them your love.

Changing your baby’s nappy on the neonatal…

Being involved in caring for your baby can help you to bond, feel more confident as a parent, and can lead to better long-term outcomes for your baby’s development.

Bliss talked to neonatal parents about what Family Integrated Care (FICare) means to them now.

We have more interviews with parents about their experiences of FICare on our page Parent's stories of caring for their babies on the neonatal unit.

Last reviewed: May 2026. Next review date: May 2029

Written with neonatal families and reviewed by healthcare professionals

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