Baljit Wilkhu is our Infant Feeding and Developmental Care Sister, a role which supports families and babies in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The role is focused on family-centred care which means the full involvement of parents on the unit, from decision making to the daily care of their baby, including feeding.

The outbreak of Covid meant we had to change our visiting policy for the unit, limiting the time parents can spend on the Unit. It has also meant that siblings and other family members are sadly not able to visit the unit.

To make sure that families are kept up to date while they are not able to be there, we have launched a digital baby diary, which is a secure platform where we can upload messages and photographs for parents to view. Baljit explained: “Because parents are not able to be with their baby 24 hours a day, it’s a way of us keeping them in touch with how their baby is doing. Parents can share these updates to involve other family members such as siblings and grandparents.”

“The updates aren’t in medical terms. They might let the parents know their baby is off to sleep or has gained some weight.”

Baljit reflected on how difficult this period has been for parents: “It’s so hard for parents to leave their baby at the hospital and it is extremely rewarding to know that they trust us to care for them while they are not there. The parents who are going through this really are amazing.”

Baljit’s role has also changed during the pandemic. As a member of our staff who was shielding, her contact with mums was over the phone. She said: “I am now attached to my phone! WhatsApp has been very useful. Every morning I WhatsApp message or text each mum and let them know that I am here to support them. I send photos, and links to video guides to help mums with feeding. I’ve got used to emojis too! I am forever sending hugs.”

“Before Covid, it would have been impossible for me to see all our mums every day – when we are full we can be caring for 32 babies. Phone calls and Whatsapp have allowed me to do that, so it’s definitely something I will be using in the future.”

Working from home hasn’t been without its challenges: “I talk mums through how to express milk over the phone. My kids have walked into the room while I’m explaining how to do it and have said “Mum, I really didn’t want to hear that!” However, I think it’s actually quite nice that my family get to understand a bit more about my job because I never usually talk about work at home.

“My husband reminds me, when I am called in the evening and weekends, about the importance of taking a break. However, I know that mums wouldn’t be calling me unless they really needed help.”

“I may repeat the same information over the phone but that’s ok. It can be a really stressful time and hormonal changes in the body mean mums are so focused on caring for their baby that everything else goes out of the window – baby brain really is a thing! Mums can ask me the same thing again and again and I am always happy to answer them again and again until they understand.”

This week is World Breastfeeding Week, and Baljit is on-hand to support mums however they are feeding their babies, whether breast, bottle or nasogastric tube. She said: “As their baby grows and is ready to bottle feed or breastfeed, we find out how mums would like to feed their baby. If they decide they would like to breastfeed then we support them to express. With bottle feeding, we still help them to have skin to skin contact.”

“Skin to skin contact lowers the stress levels which helps mum to heal and also helps the baby’s brain development. It also passes on flora from the mum’s skin which helps with the baby’s immune system – which babies also get through breast milk. The human body is amazing.”

“Feeding shouldn’t be stressful; it should be an enjoyable and loving experience.”

Baljit also involves the whole family in support with feeding, and makes sure there is care in place after babies go home from NICU: “I’ve helped dads with supporting mum with feeding at home which is great because they work as a family.

“We make sure that parents are confident before going home. I ring them after they have been discharged and make sure they are settled. I put them in contact with community infant feeding support and infant feeding cafes. They are never just left alone.”