Sibling visits resume in the NICU

Sibling visits resume in the NICU

After a pandemic-induced hiatus, the sibling visitation program has returned to Emplify Health by Gundersen's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The program's purpose is to help NICU families feel emotionally and psychologically supported throughout their care experience, and it's an integral part of the health system's approach to family-centered care.

For siblings, having the opportunity to bond with their new baby brother or sister in the NICU makes it easier for them to understand the unfamiliar medical environment, ultimately reducing any fears or confusion they may feel ahead of their first visit.

The program allows siblings to be directly involved in the baby's experience and reassures them that the NICU is a safe and caring place. For parents, the visits provide precious moments where the entire family can be together, which can be incredibly validating and consoling through hardships.

The importance of sibling visits for one NICU family

Sibling visits had a major impact on former NICU patient Annelise Wiedemann and her family. Annelise, born early at 26 weeks on July 22, 2024, spent 71 days in Emplify Health by Gundersen's NICU. It was a journey equally filled with challenges and resilience.

Jessica, Annelise's mother, is grateful Annelise's siblings, Luke, Emma and Grace, had the chance to visit and connect with their baby sister while she was away from home in the hospital.

"The sibling visits gave Annelise's brother and sisters the chance to form a relationship with her during a very vulnerable time and were sources of comfort and positivity when we all needed it most as a family," Jessica says. "It helped my kids understand why mom and dad were spending so much time away from home and made Annelise's arrival into the world feel more 'real' for them. The visits are cherished memories for our family that we will forever hold close to our hearts."

How child life specialists support family bonding in the NICU

Child life specialists play a crucial role in the sibling visitation program. They work closely with the NICU team to provide age-appropriate education and guidelines for siblings, with a goal of helping all family members understand why the baby is in the hospital and the purpose of the medical equipment.
They also support the emotional needs of the family by helping to bridge the gap between the hospital and home. This preparation is key in making the visit a positive and safe experience for everyone involved.

"A visit to the NICU as a sibling can be filled with many different emotions: excitement for meeting baby, sadness that baby cannot come home with them and confusion about the medical environment," says Jessica Wadium, child life specialist at Emplify Health. "We are trained to help children understand and cope with these experiences. We teach them what to expect before coming into the room, we help them understand how the equipment keeps the baby safe and healthy, and we provide a comforting space for all their emotions and questions."

Safety precautions and seasonal restrictions

To protect the newborns, the NICU team has several stringent safety and hygiene measures in place for family visits.

Before entering the NICU, siblings must not have been sick within the previous 48 hours. They are required to wash their hands and undergo a 3-minute scrub to minimize the risk of infection. The baby must also be stable enough to handle the stimuli of having visitors, which is determined by a physician.
Additionally, a child life specialist or nurse will meet the siblings ahead of the visit to go over all the basics and prepare them for what is expected and what they will see, including practice with using quiet voices and walking softly on their feet.

It's important to note that from November to May each year, sibling visits are paused in the NICU due to the peak of the cold, flu and respiratory virus season. This decision is made in the best interest of the infants, who are especially vulnerable to infections.

While this break can be challenging, it is a necessary measure for the health and safety of all the newborns in the NICU.

Creating meaningful memories for families

The sibling visitation program fosters a supportive and wholesome environment for NICU families, helping to strengthen family bonds and providing a reassuring sense of normalcy for each family member during a delicate time.

"Sibling visits are a beautiful experience because it is the first time the family is all together, and therefore, it can be an emotional moment." Wadium says. "We're here to come alongside each family member-from toddlers to adults-and we fully support them."

Learn more about Child Life Services

Child life specialists at Emplify Health by Gundersen provide care throughout our hospital, clinics, surgery centers and emergency room.

How Child Life Services can help your family