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Being a parent is difficult, but being the parent of a newborn in the NICU is tougher. Parents have to juggle both the home and hospital. In between all this, the sheer stress of having a baby in the NICU also leaves the parents exhausted mentally and physically.

While many people offer help to these parents, some may feel reluctant to ask for help. As friends of these parents, it becomes vital that you ask specific questions and offer help accordingly. Some of the things you could do to help are:

• If they have other children, then offer to babysit them for a few says
• Cook a meal for them and take it over
• Offer to do any chores they may have - like paying important bills
• Do some grocery shopping for them
• Learn about prematurity, and talk to them about what you've learnt (make sure the source is credible)
• Parents may be in too much stress, and unwillingly ignore you - don't be offended by this

  When their premature baby goes home, it is important to be very careful while visiting them. As it's a premature baby, they run higher risks of infection.