There are so many ways that friends and family can be supportive of parents who have a child in the NICU. Simple things like, if they have another child, offering to watch that child while they visit their baby in the NICU. It is so difficult to visit your baby when you have another child at home. Things like bringing meals. Often times, parents don't have time to go to the grocery store or to make dinner. They are worn out and tired and they need something to come home to. Doing laundry or cleaning up at home or in those early days after delivery, especially when mom is often not able to drive after a delivery or a c-section. Offering to drive them to the hospital so that she can visit her baby. Most importantly, be there so she can talk about her child, whether she wants to cry or celebrate or the father wants to talk about what his child has done. Understanding that they are going through one of the most difficult times in their lives and their responses are going to be all over the place. All your job is to be there and support them in however they respond to it.