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Information for Siblings (app, useful books, support services)

Information for Siblings (app, useful books, support services)

Siblings are welcome to spend time with their families on the neonatal unit here at Arrowe Park Hospital as part of our Family Integrated Care (FICare) initiative. Some of the support available for siblings is listed below and we welcome and value questions from big brothers and sisters about their new siblings care. It is important to us that they feel involved and informed appropriately.

Nel and the Neonatal Unit – is an app which aims to provide emotional and educational support for children who have a new sibling on the neonatal unit. Recommended age 3-8 years, to support their understanding of the neonatal environment. It can be downloaded via Google Play or Apple Store and is free to access.  - About Us

Books – If your older child(ren) are able to read, reading to their new sibling can support bonding and inclusion. We have a small library of books in our family rooms, or they may want to choose a favourite book from home to share as a family.

Recommendations for parents to read with siblings –

Premature Birth:

  • Watching Bradley Grow: A Story About Premature Birth by Elizabeth Murphy-Melas (ages 4-8)
  • Evan Early by Rebecca Hogue Wojahn (ages 4-8)
  • Prince Preemie: A Tale of a Tiny Puppy Who Arrives Early by Jewel Kats (ages 4-8)
  • The Very Tiny Baby by Sylvie Kantorovitz (ages 2-8)
  • That’s When I’m Happy by Beth Shoshan (ages 2-6)
  • A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn (ages 3-8)
  • My Baby Sister is a Preemie by Diana Amadeo (ages 4-8)
  • Katie’s Premature Brother by Elizabeth Hawkins-Walsh (ages 9-12)
  • No Bigger Than My Teddy Bear by Valerie Pankow (ages 3-7)
  • My Brother is a Preemie / My Sister is a Preemie: A Children’s Guide to the NICU Experience by Abraham R. Chuzzlewit (ages 3-9)

Maternal Bed Rest:

  • Mommy Has to Stay in Bed by Annette Rivlin-Gutman (ages 4-8)
  • And Mommy’s on Her Side by Heidi Travis (ages 4-8)
  • Bedrest Mommy by Jennifer Christensen (ages 3-8)

Twins and Multiples:

  • Twinnies by Eve Bunting (ages 6-9)
  • Crispin and the 3 Little Piglets by Ted Dewan (ages 4-8)
  • One Up, One Down by Carol Snyder (ages 4-8)
  • My Twins are Coming Home by Paris Morris (ages 2-5)
  • God Gave Us Two by Lisa Taw Bergen (ages 4-8)
  • I’m Having Twins by Paris Morris (ages 8-12)

You Tube Video Introducing the NICU to Siblings: All About NICU

Noah’s Ark -Parent Leaflet with Advice for Supporting Siblings: Supporting siblings while a baby is in NICU

Noah’s Ark – Sibling Activity Booklet: Sibling Workbook