When you work in the NICU you tend to become a little sensitive to how babies are aligned and positioned – how their motor system is supported, or not.
But do you ever find yourself doing something like this?
Scene 1
Years ago, while traveling to present a feeding course, I was ‘in charge’ one night of keeping track of the baby doll we use for demonstration during our presentation.
She had a nice little swaddle cloth.
As I was unpacking, this is how I arranged ‘her’ on the bed.
Yep. Hands to mouth. Swaddled. Comfortable, don’t ya think?
Scene 2
A week or so after that, I was sitting at my desk and another baby doll I used for positioning lectures was sitting on my desk. I’m not sure why, but that’s not the point.
I looked up and this is how she was sitting:
So……
Scene 3
You knew this was coming, right?
Not that these photos reflect positions babies in the NICU should or would be in, but an interesting thing to notice about oneself.
You might work in the NICU if you’re ultra-particular about all things. In a good way. When you work in a place where things are measured and calculated in grams, mls, and cms, there’s just not much room for error. We’re taught to be particular for good reason.
(You might also work in the NICU if there’s no way you’ll use a blanket that clashes with all other bed linens.)
There is highly intensive medical and developmental care going on in the NICU. And we can’t help but care for the babies like we’d want someone to care for our own babies. INTENSIVE care and intensive CARE.
You might work in the NICU if your passion shows up in many forms. Apparently. 🙂