What Should NICU Parents Track Each Day?
If your baby is in the NICU, your mind is carrying a lot.
Feedings. Weight. Medications. Oxygen settings. Questions for doctors. Milestones. Setbacks. Wins.
And when you’re exhausted, emotional, and trying to absorb so much information, it can feel impossible to remember everything.
As a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of NICU experience, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for parents to keep track of their baby’s journey.
Tracking helps you stay informed, organized, and involved in your baby’s care. Here are the most important things to track each day in the NICU:
1. Daily Weight
Weight changes are one of the biggest indicators of progress in the NICU.
Track:
current weight
weight gain or loss
growth trends over time
Even small gains can be huge victories.
2. Feedings
Feeding is often one of the biggest milestones.
Keep track of:
breast milk or formula amounts
tube feedings
bottle attempts
breastfeeding sessions
feeding tolerance
This helps you see patterns and progress.
3. Diapers
It may seem simple, but output matters.
Track:
wet diapers
dirty diapers
stool changes
This helps monitor hydration and digestion.
4. Respiratory Support
NICU babies often need breathing support.
Track:
room air
oxygen levels
CPAP
ventilator settings
changes in respiratory support
Parents often forget how much progress has been made.
Tracking helps you see it.
5. Medications
Your baby may receive multiple medications.
Write down:
what they’re for
dosage changes
when they start or stop
Understanding these helps you feel more confident.
6. Questions for the Care Team
This is one of the most important.
Write down questions as they come up because in the moment, it’s easy to forget.
Examples:
What is the plan for feeding?
How is weight gain going?
What needs to happen before discharge?
7. Milestones
These are the moments worth remembering.
First:
holding your baby
first bottle
first outfit
first bath
coming off oxygen
These moments matter.
8. Your Feelings
The NICU journey is emotional.
Track:
fears
wins
gratitude
hard days
Your story matters too.
Why Tracking Matters
Tracking helps NICU parents:
feel more in control
communicate better with providers
remember important details
see progress over time
preserve memories
At Bright Sprout, we created the NICU Tracker App to make this easier. Instead of scattered notes, texts, and pictures, everything stays in one place.
Because the NICU journey is hard enough. You shouldn’t have to carry it all alone.
Start tracking your baby’s progress and milestones here.
Track your NICU baby’s feeds, weight, milestones, medications, and memories with the Bright Sprout NICU Tracker. Designed by NICU nurse practitioner Jeri Power.
