NICU Alumni Podcast

View Details

In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Hickson is joined by co-authors Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel to talk about the lasting impact of NICU experiences on families.

Together, they reflect on grief, healing, and how storywork can help parents process these experiences and emotions. The conversation highlights the duality of grief and gratitude, the importance of community support, and the creation of Your NICU Story Book, a meaningful resource for families navigating life after the NICU, available now.

More information and links to the resources we mentioned during the episode can be found here! (update article link)

💛 Content note: This episode includes discussion of child loss and may be emotionally triggering for some listeners. Please care for yourself as you listen.

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here*.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

This is the first episode in a two-part podcast series, From Discharge to Home: Insights for Providers and Families, brought to you in collaboration with AngelEye Health. This series was created to provide insights for both healthcare providers and families navigating the NICU discharge process.

Our goal is for the series to be educational, informative, and empowering; emphasizing how technology, like AngelEye’s NICU2Home, along with NICU Alumni’s support, can help families and care teams during the critical transition after graduating from the NICU, to going home, and beyond.

Part 2: Patent Perspectives on Improving NICU Discharge Planning

In Part 2, Andrea Hickson and Jaylee Hilliard, both two-time NICU moms, discuss the family perspective, their NICU experiences, and what it was like after they got home, sharing personal stories and insights.

More information and links to the resources we mentioned during the episode can be found here!

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Our goal is for the series to be educational, informative, and empowering; emphasizing how technology, like AngelEye’s NICU2Home, along with NICU Alumni’s support, can help families and care teams during the critical transition after graduating from the NICU, to going home, and beyond.

Part 1: Provider Perspectives on Improving NICU Discharge PlanningIn Part 1, we sit down with Dr. Sue Bowles, a leader in the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative’s Homeward Bound initiative, and Jaylee Hilliard, VP of Clinical Strategy at AngelEye Health and a two-time NICU mom.

More information and links to the resources we mentioned during the episode can be found here!

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, we speak with Susan Reynolds, author of While I Breathe, about her journey as a NICU mom to her son Ryan, who was born prematurely and diagnosed with Down syndrome. Susan reflects on the lasting impact of their NICU experience and how Ryan’s life and his passing continue to shape her purpose and advocacy. Drawing from her background in pediatric medicine and bioethics, she shares meaningful insights on family-centered care, the power of advocacy, and the ways she honors Ryan’s legacy through education and storytelling.

Connect with Susan via Instagram: @susanreynolds28, or her Website: susanmreynolds.com.

More information and resources we mentioned during the episode can be found here!

Content note: This episode includes discussion of infant loss and may be emotionally triggering for some listeners. Please care for yourself as you listen.

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, we welcome Jennifer Bernardo, author of Week 26. Jennifer shares her story of having twins born at just 26 weeks and their four-month NICU stay. We explore the emotional toll of life in the NICU, the transition home, and the critical role of community support. Jennifer opens up about writing her memoir and including multiple perspectives to capture the complexity of the NICU journey. She offers heartfelt advice for families facing similar paths, reminding listeners of the value of preparation, the power of advocacy, and the importance of cherishing each moment.

More information and helpful links can be found here!

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, Andrea is joined by Dr. Jessica Allen, a gerontologist, and proud adoptive mama. Jessica shares her family’s NICU experience after her daughter was born prematurely with short bowel syndrome. She speaks about advocating for her daughter’s care, navigating life as a working parent, and learning to manage complex medical needs. This conversation is filled with empathy, encouragement, and practical tips for all families preparing for life after the NICU.

Jessica talks about the emotional weight of discharge, what it means to become a medical family after the NICU, and the importance of support systems and collaborative care. She also shares insights from her research on pediatric quality of life and her work as co-founder of The Gutsy Perspective, an initiative dedicated to uplifting patient and family voices in Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) and rare disease research. The goal of this initiative is to help reshape the narrative around what quality of life can look like for children with SBS and their families. Thanks for listening!

More information including resources Jessica loves with helpful links and other fun stuff can be found here!

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Hickson speaks with Jen Mansfield, a licensed professional counselor and mother, who shares her profound journey through the NICU and the loss of her son, Adam, born at 24 weeks.

Jen reflects on the overwhelming experience of the NICU, the meaningful connections with the staff, and the support from her community. She discusses the challenges of transitioning home after Adam's passing and the healing practices that helped her navigate grief, including narrative therapy. Jen's story is one of resilience, love, and the importance of community support during difficult times. Content note: This episode includes discussion of infant loss and may be emotionally triggering for some listeners. Please care for yourself as you listen.

Find information from the full episode here.

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this heartfelt episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, Misti Staley shares her profound journey as a mother who faced unimaginable challenges with her son Freeman, who spent significant time in the NICU and PICU.

After losing Freeman, Misti transformed her grief into advocacy, creating the Freeman Foundation and developing innovative solutions for families facing similar struggles. Our conversation explores the emotional rollercoaster of NICU life, the importance of community support, and the healing power of connection during times of loss. We discuss the profound impact of grief, the balance between supporting others and caring for oneself, the significance of community engagement and advocacy in healthcare, and the creation of meaningful legacies through action. Misti shares her journey of creating the Freeman Playground, and then later, establishing the Free Arm. She shares about the importance of raising awareness for tube feeding, finding joy amidst grief, and offers valuable insights and advice for parents experiencing loss.

Quick Notes from the Episode:

The emotional toll of NICU life is profound, with many ups and downs.
Transitioning home from the NICU can be daunting, especially with medical complexities.
Therapy played a crucial role in helping Misti navigate her challenges and equipping her to advocate for herself and for Freeman's needs.
Connection with other families that are in the NICU or PICU can provide comfort and understanding during tough times.
Grief is a journey. Finding joy amidst grief is possible, take things at your own pace even if it feels like a small step.
Remember you're not alone in that journey.
Tube Feeding Awareness Week - occurs every February
- Follow Free Arm on Instagram
- Check out The Blend Magazine
Other Helpful Links!
- Free Arm Friends Page

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Hickson speaks with Ashli Daly, a registered nurse and baby coach, about her journey from working in the NICU to supporting families as they transition home. Ashli shares her experience working in various NICUs, the importance of seeking help, and how her background informs her current practice as Ashli The Mama Coach. The discussion also covers practical advice for new parents, including the importance of giving oneself grace and persevering as you seek answers.

Quick Notes from the Episode:

Support from healthcare professionals is crucial for NICU families.
Families should think about how they can prepare for life after the NICU.
Postpartum doulas can play a role in supporting new families post-NICU.
Ashli emphasizes the need for a supportive village for new parents. Don't isolate yourself.
NICU experiences can significantly impact breastfeeding relationships.
Every baby is unique, and care should be tailored to their needs. Feeding challenges are common and require a mindset shift and some patience.
The transition from NICU to home can be overwhelming, building a support system is essential for new parents.
Give yourself grace during the postpartum period, parenting is a journey of learning and growth for both baby and parent, and postpartum recovery does not have a set timeline.
Trusting your gut as a parent is crucial, advocating for your baby is important in healthcare settings.
If you don't get the answer that you want, keep going!
NICU Alumni Resources
- Grad Guide
Ashli The Mama Coach Free Resources:
- Safety Guide - This free guide covers critical topics like safe sleep, car seat safety, drowning prevention, and choking prevention.
- The Baby Sleep Formula - This free guide helps families establish nap times, bedtimes, and handle nap transitions as their baby grows. For preemie families, Ashli always recommends using adjusted age for sleep schedules rather than actual age.
- Ashli posts a lot of helpful tips and guidance for parents on Instagram (@ashlithemamacoach), where she focuses on sleep, feeding, and newborn care.
- Newborn Blueprint Preview - Ashli’s Newborn Blueprint walks families through the first 12 weeks with their newborn. LINK TO PURCHASE

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, host Andrea Hickson sits down with Chelsea Sams, MSN, RN, CPST, perinatal nurse educator, and founder of I Know Newborns.

With over eight years of NICU experience, Chelsea shares her journey from bedside care to empowering NICU families through education and advocacy. Together, they discuss the unique challenges NICU graduates face after discharge, including health risks, navigating pediatric care, and finding essential community resources. Chelsea highlights the black infant mortality crisis, the importance of vaccination, and the critical role parents play in advocating for their children’s well-being. This episode is packed with practical advice and resources to support families transitioning home from the NICU.

Quick Notes from the Episode:

“You know your baby best.” Parents should trust their instincts when it comes to their child’s health.
“Hand washing, hand washing, hand washing.”
NICU graduates often face higher risks for health complications and readmissions.
Vaccination is essential for NICU babies, take into consideration, especially during flu and RSV seasons.
Developmental delays are common but often temporary—don’t be discouraged, babies can catch up with time.
Choosing a pediatrician with NICU experience is vital for post-discharge care.
Community support groups are invaluable for navigating the NICU journey and beyond.
Advocacy isn’t just for the NICU—it's a skill parents will use throughout their child’s life.
Resources from Chelsea:
- Chelsea can be reached at hello@iknownewborns.com and oninstagram.
- eBooks available for purchase, two of Chelsea’s favorites: NICU Parent Glossary, NICU Parent Advocacy Script,
- Free Resources

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode of the NICU Alumni Podcast, Andrea Hickson speaks with Vanessa de la Llama, a licensed mental health counselor, about the complexities of navigating insurance and healthcare for families with NICU graduates.

They discuss the importance of being proactive in seeking appointments, understanding insurance coverage, and the necessity of mental health support for parents. Vanessa emphasizes the need for self-care and especially for planning for post-NICU care. Their conversation also touches on the importance of early intervention services, the occasional need for letters of medical necessity, and effective communication with insurance providers.

Quick Notes from the Episode:

Insurance is a major concern for families post-NICU.
Finding the right specialist is crucial for ongoing care.
Proactive planning when possible can ease the transition home.
Early intervention services can significantly benefit children.
Understanding insurance coverage can prevent unexpected bills.
Use online tools like Psychology Today to find detailed listings for mental health professionals in the United States.

Additional Resources from Vanessa:

Understanding Anxiety in Adults
Understanding Depression in Adults
Understanding Anxiety in Children and Teens
Understanding Depression in Children and Teens
Mindfulness

You can reach out to Vanessa through her instagram.

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Nicole Nyberg is the proud mother of a former 23-weeker and a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. With her unique perspective as both a clinical expert and a micropreemie mom, she’s dedicated to sharing her knowledge and experience. Nicole is the Founder and CEO of Empowering NICU Parents, providing education, support, and empowerment for parents and clinicians, focusing on how parental involvement in the NICU positively impacts an infant's long-term development. She's also a podcast host and author of Our NICU Roadmap, a daily NICU journal that guides and empowers parents through their NICU journey.

In this episode, Nicole shares her personal NICU experience and the emotional challenges of her high-risk pregnancy. She highlights the critical role of parental involvement in the NICU and the mental health challenges parents face, even after discharge. Nicole also talks about her role at Angel Eye Health, a company enhancing family engagement in the NICU through technology, and provides insights on her work supporting their NICU2home program, the importance of self-care, and seeking mental health support.

Quick Notes from the Episode:

Parental involvement in the NICU significantly impacts both the infant’s and family’s long-term trajectory.
NICU parents often face ongoing mental health challenges post-discharge, making support and understanding vital.
Self-care is essential for NICU parents to manage emotional stress and maintain well-being.
Experience in the NICU, even as a professional, doesn't lessen the emotional toll or trauma for parents.
Seeking mental health support and building a community of other NICU parents can offer valuable empathy and understanding.
Showing yourself grace during the transition from the NICU to home is crucial for both emotional recovery and family well-being.

You can reach out to Nicole through instagram @empoweringnicuparents.

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Cristal Grogan shares her experience of her son's NICU stay overseas in Spain and the challenges they faced. She discusses the language barriers, socialized medicine, and lack of family-centered care in the NICU. Cristal emphasizes the importance of parent advocacy and education, as well as long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. She also highlights the need for support and resources for families, especially those with children with complex medical and mental health needs.

Cristal's journey has led her to become an advocate for NICU parents and children with special needs. In this conversation, Cristal Grogan shares her journey as a parent advocate for NICU families and the importance of parent voices in healthcare. She discusses her involvement with NICU Parent Network and National Perinatal Association, as well as her work with Prolacta Bioscience.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

Parent advocacy and education are crucial in the NICU and beyond.
Family-centered care is essential for the well-being of NICU families.
Access to support and resources is vital for families with children with complex medical and mental health needs.
Parent advocacy is crucial in improving care for NICU families.
Cristal emphasizes the need for parents to ask questions, advocate for their children, and seek out resources and support.
Dealing with health insurance can be so difficult to navigate and can be another big factor after the NICU.

Cristal’s NICU Alumni Grad Guide

Cristal encourages parents to trust their instincts and not be afraid to challenge healthcare professionals as it can lead to better outcomes.
Take a look at parent-led organizations like NICU Parent Network and National Perinatal Association provide valuable support and resources.
The Autism Community in Action provides education, support and hope to families living with autism.
The Center for Men's Excellence out of California has great resources on their site for dads.
Don’t forget, take a breath and enjoy today!

Overall, the conversation highlights the power of parent advocacy and the impact it can have on improving care for NICU families.

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Dr. Danielle A. Cierak and Flor Tena discuss their work in the NICU and the challenges families face after leaving the hospital. They developed the Baby Steps transition of care model to support NICU patients and families during the difficult period after discharge.

The Baby Steps program provides support to families after their NICU stay, helping them transition to home and navigate the challenges of caring for their baby. The program starts when a dedicated telehealth NICU nurse meets with families before discharge and then continues with a virtual call post-discharge where a nurse can help troubleshoot or schedule follow-up visits after they go home. During the televisit, the nurse can provide reassurance, answer questions, and address concerns. They can also assess the family's environment, review discharge instructions, and reconcile medications.

The program reduces the burden on families by eliminating the need for travel to appointments and provides an extra layer of comfort knowing that help is just a phone call away. It empowers families to be advocates for their babies and provides a sense of companionship and support through connections with other families who have gone through similar experiences.

Quick Notes from the Episode:

💛 Check out this video that has more info on Baby Steps with a family perspective.
💛 Check out the Baby Steps webpage.
💛 Check out this feature written about Baby Steps after they received the acclaimed Edge Runner award.
💛 You can reach out to Danielle and Flor through LinkedIn.

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this conversation, Andrea and Rita discuss their experiences with the NICU and the challenges they faced. They talk about the emotional impact of the NICU stay, the difficulties of bonding and providing care in the NICU, and the feeding challenges they encountered. They also discuss the importance of celebrating milestones and how their children have connected with their NICU experiences as they've grown older. Rita shares her involvement in supporting NICU families through the NICU Family Advisory Council and the March of Dimes. She discusses building relationships to support NICU organizations and her experience working within hospital systems.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

The NICU experience can be emotionally traumatic and challenging for parents, regardless of the length of stay or the severity of the baby's condition.
Bonding and providing care in the NICU can be difficult, and parents may feel anxious and unsure about their role in their baby's care.
Feeding challenges are common in the NICU, and parents may need support and guidance from lactation consultants and healthcare professionals.
Celebrating milestones, no matter how small, is important for parents and can help them recognize their child's progress and growth. Rita shared: “Looking back, I think that's a huge part of getting through the journey intact is to celebrate those wins.”
Children who have experienced the NICU may have a unique connection to their journey and may embrace their story as part of their identity as they grow older.
Involvement in supporting NICU families, such as through family advisory councils and organizations like the March of Dimes, can provide a sense of purpose and help parents give back to the NICU community. Building relationships with others who have can through the same experience can be a positive experience as you process your own journey.
Working within the hospital system can be challenging, but it can also be a catalyst for pursuing policy change and advocating for improvements.
Conversations with extended family may be awkward but the underlying message is that while you may need to be more cautious with your NICU Grad you still want to include your family… it may just look a little different at first.

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Darla Vazquez shares her journey as a NICU parent and the challenges she faced raising her son, who was born prematurely and spent 203 days in the NICU. She discusses the importance of advocacy and the need for support in navigating the medical system. Darla also talks about her work in helping families transition their children from G-tube feeding to oral eating, providing resources and guidance for parents in similar situations. In this conversation, Andrea speaks with Darla about life after the NICU and the significance of self-care and advocacy. Darla shares advice for families as they navigate the healing journey and adjust to being home, emphasizing the need for grace and understanding. She recognizes the impact of the NICU on both parents and children and discusses the importance of advocating for your family and making decisions that align with your values.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

We loved when Darla said: "And the thing that’s so difficult, especially when you’re advocating for your child with people that do not have kids with disabilities is explaining that there is a balance because you’re a mama. You’re not a nurse. You’re not an educator. I mean your role is purely to love this child and to love them so that they can thrive. And thriving looks different for every single child, right?"
Give yourself grace as you seek to find balance, and give yourself permission to say no to certain activities if that means it gives you a little more space to manage what your child and your family are experiencing.
Check out Darla’s work with supporting “Tubies” to transition to oral feeding.
- Darla’s Free Webinar - How to Transition your Child to Oral Eating Without Significant Weight Loss
  - The full, paid course is economical and is intended to be followed with your medical team.
- Darla’s article on NICU Alumni’s Resource Library - From Tube Feeds to Oral Feeds: Where to Start

Darla’s NICU Alumni Grad Guide Advice:

You’ve just started this healing journey and may not even recognize all of the ways the NICU has affected you and your child - and that’s ok.
When you’re advocating for your child and your family, you’re teaching them to be advocates for themselves too.

You can reach out to Darla through her website on instagram @tubietofoodie.

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

We had the best conversation with Ashley and Martha of Dear NICU Mama! Vilma shares how she became connected to DNM and then later went on to become a founding board member of NICU Alumni.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

Dear NICU Mama is rooted in the desire to connect with others who are also going through the NICU journey so that they know they are not alone and are part of the shared sisterhood.
Listen to Ashley’s NICU Story
Listen to Martha’s NICU Story Part 1 and Part 2
Listen to Vilma’s NICU Story
Listen to Andrea’s NICU Story
We talked about Dear NICU Mama's There is Goodness Ahead collection and Andrea read this excerpt about it:

We are so excited to be releasing the “There is Goodness Ahead” collection. A special collection designed to celebrate your unique motherhood journey and remind you that NICU mama, there is goodness ahead. 💕

In the middle of our NICU stay, we need to be reminded that there is goodness ahead.As we wait for a diagnosis or answers for our medically complex miracles, we need to be reminded that there is goodness ahead.

If we find ourselves back in the hospital with our babies, we need to be reminded that there is goodness ahead.

As we heal and process our NICU experiences, we need to be reminded that there is goodness ahead.

Our hope is that this collection is a celebration of where you’ve been and all you’ve endured, and also a beacon of hope for the goodness that is to come. 💕

Goodness is not the absence of pain, it’s not the absence of trial. It’s an affirmation of - no matter what, there is goodness ahead. And it is something we can whisper to ourselves when we’re going through tough times.
Sign up for NICU Alumni’s Grad Guide email series.
Ashley’s Grad Guide advice: Receiving support and help through things like early intervention therapy does not diminish your role as a mom or a parent.
Martha’s Grad Guide advice: If you grapple with difficult feelings as you cope with your NICU experience, share about them with someone you trust or with a professional. It’s ok to have these feelings and to grow through them

You can reach out to Dear NICU Mama through their instagram or their website.

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Bricen Urquidi is a stay at home mom of 3 kids. She has been involved with ICU baby (a local nonprofit in Miami that is very near and dear to us at NICU Alumni) for over 8 years and is a volunteer at her children's school and other organizations in Miami. Her NICU journey began with her first born Ila and that experience lead to helping others in need.

Ila is a 9th grader at a local school in Miami and is a Youth Ambassador with ICU baby. Ila started a club at school called Faith4NICU where they provide support for different NICU organizations in Miami.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

Even though time has passed, the memories and emotions never leave
Bricen remembers having mixed emotions: you have a baby, so you’re happy, but you’re in the NICU, so you’re confused and scared.
While you’re in the NICU you can feel so supported but then feel lost when you get home
Things that helped Bricen feel prepared
- Family Support
- Being hands on in the NICU so that the routine becomes familiar when it’s time to go home
- Realizing that every day things did get a little bit better

Ways to help you keep track of those appointments

Follow up appointments are a big part of life after the NICU
Use your calendar or a notebook to help you keep track of the doctor visits and follow up notes

Bricen’s recommendations for after the NICU

Positivity helps when you are dealing with the hard situation of the NICU. Your baby needs you. Take in any support you can.
Cry when you need to. Scream when you need to. Go out on a walk when you need to.
Lean on your family and friends. Be willing to take on that outside support.
It’s an ongoing journey. Check in with how you’re feeling emotionally, and work through it when you can.
The NICU experience is hard, there is pain, but there is healing that continues through the process
It may feel daunting but remember you’re not alone.
Bricen shared the sweetest quote: “It's the tiniest feet that make the biggest footprints in our hearts”

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

After giving birth to triplets at just 25 weeks 5 days gestation and losing one of her daughters at 14 months old, Keira Sorrells was propelled into maternal-infant health out of a deep-seated desire to ensure no parent experiences the trauma of preterm birth or loss alone.

Together, with a dedicated team of NICU Parent Leaders, Keira has grown the @NICUParentNetwork to be a sought-after resource and collaborative partner for providers, researchers, industry, and other stakeholders in this niche of healthcare.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

No matter how long your baby was in the NICU, your family’s experience in the NICU may lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A book that helped Keira realize she was experiencing PTSD was a book about Medical Trauma: Before the World Intruded
If that is your experience, being able to name it can help you seek the appropriate support
There can also be a delay in even realizing you the state of your mental health and how you are coping with the NICU experience you and your family went through
Parents doing the work and supporting their families have a voice and can share and speak up on every level. In the doctor’s office at follow ups, with family members, or even at systems levels to bring the parent voice to the table.
NPN brings organizations together, helping them connect, network, and share best practices.
Family Centered Care Taskforce - Check them out and subscribe to their emails if you are interested.

Keira’s NICU Alumni Grad Guide

Peer Support - check this page out if you would like resources about Raising Multiples
Trust your instincts - keep pushing until you get the answers you are seeking
The earlier you get early intervention, the better!

You can reach out to NPN through their website and instagram page @NICUParentNetwork.

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Dr. Marta Grisel Galarza is a Board Certified Lactation Specialist as well as a Neonatologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and she has worked at Holtz Children’s hospital since 1997. She is the Medical Director of the Intermediate Care NICU, a 70-bed unit. More recently she developed a Neonatal/Antenatal specific Palliative Care Program for the Division of Neonatology.

She has worked endlessly and passionately on these projects because they promote and protect mother-baby bonding and breastfeeding, her goal for all NICU mothers and babies.

Grisel is also a founding board member of NICU Alumni and we are thrilled to have her joining us again!

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

Establishing and Maintaining Milk Supply
- It’s really difficult to breast feed and pump
- It’s a commitment
- The recommendation is to start early, mo matter what gestation the baby was born at (within 6 hours!), but keep in mind that it can be difficult especially if the mother is sick
- Try by starting with hand expression initially to stimulate the breast to produce milk

Maximizing Pumping Sessions
- Try to rent a Hospital Grade Double Pump

Medela Symphony Hospital Grade Double Breast Pump has Premature Program Settings
Gentle Massage
Ask about how to give yourself a very gentle lymphatic massage
Warm compresses are also helpful
It is very important that you empty your supply when you pump so that your body will continue to replenish the right amount

Overcoming Challenges
- Rest
- Eat Well - you use 300-500 calories per pumping session!
- Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
- Take your multivitamin

Maintaining Breastfeeding Goals
- SKIN-TO-SKIN can play a huge role and has many benefits even beyond milk supply, pumping, and breastfeeding.
- Grisel is often asked, "How long should you continue to pump and breastfeed?", and her answer is, "For however long you can, whether it’s 2 weeks or 2 months, or more! Any length of time is a success."

Some of Grisel's favorite resources for NICU and Post-NICU Support
- Don’t forget about Skin-to-Skin! 💜
- LaLeche League International on Hand Expression- Breastfeeding tipsfrom Dept of Women, Infants, and Children
- Support in Miami

Information and Consultations
Breastfeeding helpline: 786.336.1336
The Federal Office on Women’s Health
National Hotline 800.994.9662
Additional Consultation Services from the Lactation NetworkLet's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Alexa Marsellos, a board-certified music therapist and music educator joins us to discuss how she implements adaptive music lessons for students of all ages and abilities. In 2023, she founded Neurobeat Music Therapy (@neurobeatmusictherapy), a practice dedicated to fostering growth, improving lives, and advocating for the transformative power of music therapy.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

Music therapists work with people of all ages, and all diagnoses, utilizing music to achieve non-musical goals
You don’t have to be a musician to incorporate music into your daily life and integrating it into fun learning
Once you get home — give yourself grace. Your baby is learning and growing, and so are you!
As your kiddo grows, they’re going to develop and outgrow methods that worked previously, don’t be afraid to try new things and to look for new strategies

Resources for finding children’s' songs:

Super Simple Songs: Find simple, familiar songs in both English and Spanish, also on IG @supersimpleofficial
Music for Kiddos: Music therapist and educator who writes music for children, also on IG @Music_for_kiddos
Resound Music Therapy: Music therapist who shares songs and activities @resoundmusictherapy

Social Media Accounts with resources and DIY activities:

@Early.explorer: DIY Activities, Crafts, Play-Based Learning.
@busytoddler: Ideas for hands-on play and support for others in their parenting journey.
@dayswithgrey: playful activities for kids.

Brands that have sensory toys and also share resources:

@Lovevery: Products designed for the child's developing brain.
@Learningresources: Educational toys.
@Lakeshorelearning: Educational materials and toys.
@Beginlearning: Products that promote early learning.

Music toys and instruments with links for unfamiliar ones:

Thundertube
Rain stick
Ocean drum
Bells
Xylophone
Toy echo microphones
Maracas/ Egg Shakers
Tambourines
Drums
Scarves

Disclaimer - We have not been compensated by these organization in any way to share their resources and information with you. 🩵

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Brittany Aquart is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist, and mom of two, one of whom had a NICU stay.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

Going through the NICU with her own child is an experience that changed her perspective as a Physical Therapist and her practice.
She understands that it is really easy to feel insignificant in the NICU and like you don’t have a role with your baby while they are there.
Now, as a provider, her practice aims to remind parents that they are the experts in regards to their child. 🤍
When she brought her baby home from the NICU it felt like a whirlwind. She had the discharge packet, and had set up the follow ups, but she realized she was riding the adrenaline from one day to the next.
Her advice? Recognize that you have been through something really life-altering and it’s ok to just "do nothing" for a while.
The part of our brain that makes decisions, (executive function), and that focuses on things like planning, and organizing, basically goes offline when you’re working from a fight-or-flight response. It’s no surprise that things can go by the wayside (like remembering to make follow up appts) when you’re dealing with something as life changing as a NICU experience.
Give yourself a couple weeks. The early intervention therapy will be there. Take the first few weeks to build that connection you desire with your baby.
- Sign up for the NICU Alumni Grad Guide Series to receive timely reminders so you can focus on what matters - spending time with your baby!
What is a Neurodiversity Affirming Approach? A connection-based approach to therapy where the foundation is nervous system regulation (commonly impacted in babies that have had a NICU experience).
We talk about our three bonus senses which Brittany also wrote about for the NICU Alumni Resource Library:
- Vestibular sense
- Proprioception
- Interoception

Brittany’s NICU Alumni Grad Guide - advice for after the NICU -

Build the right team for your baby
You can get 2nd opinions and advocate for the best fit for your child and for your family
How to play with your baby infographic by Lemon City
Toy Guide and Sensory Guide by Lemon City

You can reach out to Brittany through via instagram @lemoncitycollective or through their website www.lemoncitycollective.com

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Tune in for a Special Episode: "Reflecting on One Year of the NICU Alumni Podcast" with our Board of Directors! 🎉

Join us as we look back on a year of inspiring stories, valuable insights, and heartfelt connections. Hear from the dedicated individuals behind the scenes who have made this podcast possible.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

FL Partners in Policymaking
The Zaky HUG collaboration
NICU Alumni Parent Groups
NICU Parent Network
GIVE MIAMI DAY

NICU Alumni Grad Guide - Board of Directors Edition

Follow NICU Alumni🩵
Advocate for your child 💪
Gentle reminder: It’s ok to ask for help! You are not alone!
You’re home! Soak it up! Hug that baby! And give yourself grace. 🤍
Nose Frida hack - connect one end to your breast pump instead of doing the suction yourself! 🤯
Nobody does this parenting thing perfectly - be kind to yourself!
Subscribe to our NICU Alumni Grad Guide email series

Thank you for an amazing year!

Let's stay in touch!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Savannah Jane O’Malley is a wife and working mother of 3 former preemies. She works full-time, pursues her artistic passions part-time, and moms all the time. We talk about her twin boys who were born 3.5 months early, how they spent their first 3 months fighting for the chance at life despite being given many devastating diagnoses, enduring countless ups and downs, and achieving absolutely incredible triumphs.

This season of her life made her discover her true role as a mother and set her on a brand-new trajectory. Through social media, writing, public speaking and painting, she is a voice of hope to families going through similar trials. She is an ally to people with disabilities (especially cerebral palsy, like her son), a cheerleader to families during and after a NICU stay, a momma mental health advocate, and a self-proclaimed spreader of reckless hope.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

Providers will check on you and your mental health at many postpartum follow ups. Since these follow ups may take place while your child is still in the NICU, you may easily overlook the need to focus on your mental health.
It may take months, even years for you to recognize that your mental health still needs some love and attention. We were honored to have Savannah write a guest feature for our resource library about her experience with unprocessed trauma. Click here to read her heartfelt message.
It’s easy to think that, “they’re out of the hospital, they survived… it’s all good now.” But there is still grief around the experience and giving yourself space to process it is worth it.
One thing that really helped Savannah (and that keeps coming up from other guests of the podcast) was journaling
After sharing some of these experiences on social media through @savyjaneomalley, Savannah, who is also an artist, was inspired to create art through a series called, Cards of Hope. Through this campaign Savannah will send a signed print of one of her paintings to any mother of birth trauma that requests one.

Savannah's NICU Alumni Grad Guide:

What was it like once you were home? - Like being in "Survival-Mode"
It was tough to find resources.
When you leave the NICU for the last time, after everyone celebrates, you leave the sounds and support, and then it’s just quiet.
Once you’re on the other side, there will be triggers… things that remind you of the experience… you can’t control them, and you may not be able to process them right in the moment, but they can bring awareness to a new part of your healing.
Advice for families in the NICU now:
- Stay present ✨
- Take more pictures 📸 😊

You can learn more about Savannah and her work on her website at www.savyjane.com. Also, be sure to check out her Cards of Hope here! 💌

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website,

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Jennifer Degl is the mother of four, including a micro preemie born at 23 weeks gestation. As the founder of Speaking for Moms and Babies, Inc., her mission is to educate the public on maternal and neonatal health issues. She's also the author of three books and has published articles in both the Journal of Pediatrics and the Journal of Perinatology.

Quick Takeaways from the Episode:

Jennifer described coming home from the NICU with one word: Scary. This shouldn't be the case! At NICU Alumni, the heart of our mission is to support families like Jennifer's, so they feel more secure and less anxious when they leave the NICU.
As a primary caregiver, you often don't focus on yourself. Most of the time, you might not even recognize how you're feeling.
Take advantage of peer support. It's incredibly helpful to talk to someone who understands the experience you've been through.
Here are some organizations we love that offer this support:
- Dear NICU Mama
- Hand to Hold
- Next month, we're hosting our first virtual support group, and the topic will be on anxiety and mental health tips leading up to the holiday season. Reach out to us here if you'd like to be added to the waiting list.

Jennifer's NICU Alumni Grad Guide - her advice for after the NICU:

Remember you're not alone. Trust your gut! Don’t be afraid to advocate for your kiddo.
Get connected - whether locally or virtually, and in whatever way that works for you! Some more recommendations from Jennifer include:
- NICU Parent Network, with members across the United States and Internationally
- Call your NICU, they may be able to recommend local support
- Author, Kasey Matthews and her book on her experience as a mother to a preemie
- Jennifer’s memoir - hearing from others who have gone through a similar experience can help and may inspire you to write your own story! You don't have to be a published author to write, and journaling can really help with your healing process.
- Jennifer's children's book about the NICU experience
- Jennifer's children's book about bedrest (co-written by Angela Davids, creator of www.KeepEmCookin.com, an educational website and online support group for women who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy.)

As you heal mentally and physically through your journey you are a better help and support for your baby!

Connect with Jennifer through her website or Instagram.

Let's stay in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Martha Sharkey is the Founder & CEO of Today is a Good Day, a non-profit providing personal and financial support for families who experience the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Martha and her husband, Paul, founded Today is a Good Day in honor of their daughter, Claire, and in memory of their daughter, Mary. They welcomed their identical twin girls at just 23 weeks and 5 days on November 14, 2010.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Mange expectations in the NICU - remain hopeful, but remember that hope can evolve and change
The NICU experience never leaves us even years later
Take comfort knowing that everything happens for “a chunk of time” - this season is not going to last forever
The NICU is one chunk of time, but then you get into a new chapter when you go home
When you get home it can be hard to express that you’d like people to keep distance when you are starting to venture out and take part in activities with your NICU grad
You may experience the desire to be in community, but also want to take good care in not exposing your baby to germs unnecessarily especially after being in the hospital - and it’s ok to express that!
Do what works best for your family and change it up as you feel comfortable
It is likely that you will be managing follow up appointments with specialists, as well as visits to your child’s pediatrician - take a listen to the Today is a Good Day podcast episode - Building a Strong Relationship with Your Pediatrician for some helpful tips like: what you need to know for your first pediatrician visit.
Journaling is helpful for many reasons like: keeping track of your baby’s progress, and writing about how you’re feeling. You can keep the journal going when you are home and can use it to refer to when you see your child’s health care providers and want to share about particular progress that was made.

Martha’s NICU Alumni Grad Guide - her advice for after the NICU:

Start with what is locally available
Prioritize Early Intervention - request an evaluation so that you can get started as soon as possible. The onboarding process takes time. Even if you think that your child is too young and not really doing much as a newborn, the therapists provide great support through simple exercises that can be built upon to foster your child’s development. (We published an Early Intervention 101 Guide, click here and we'll send it to you!)
Take time for self care. When you’re caring for yourself, you’re able to care for your baby, (we share some great self care tips here)

More about Today is a Good Day

At Today is a Good Day, they take great care in creating welcome packages for the families they serve. The packages include messages of celebration (they firmly believe that every birth should be celebrated 🎉), stories from other families, and helpful items.
If you are wondering what you can give a NICU family as a gift when they welcome their baby to the world, con

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here**.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

This week we are interviewing Alexandra Sportini, a NICU Mom to an IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) miracle baby who will soon be 15 months old.

We talk about Alexandra's journey with breast milk which actually started before her son was born while she was in antepartum. From there, we discuss her son's NICU experience, and how, following his birth, she became an exclusive pumper. She was eventually able to nurse her son, and later also became a donor for Prolacta Bioscience, a company dedicated to transforming care for vulnerable babies by unlocking the power of human milk.

Alexandra has currently donated over 4,000 OUNCES of breast milk to NICU babies while still feeding her son

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Lactation and nursing your baby in the NICU can be stressful
Exclusive Pumping Private Facebook Groups can be a good place to start
Did you know? Most pumps come with 24mm or 28mm flange size parts, which is not the average size many need. Typically a more appropriate size is 19mm or even 17mm.
If you start with a flange size that is too big, you won’t empty all the way and that can lead to you thinking that you aren't able to produce enough milk and you may end up feeling defeated
Pumping is hard! It may sound simple: pump, feed, clean parts, and repeat, but it is time consuming and the routine can be difficult to maintain.
In addition to getting the right flange size, here are other tools that can help:
- Flange Inserts
- Spectra S2 Plus Hospital Strength Pump
- Lansinoh Smartpump 3.0
- Manual Medela Pump
When using a pump it’s helpful to test out different settings. It’s tempting to immediately set the pump to the high suction setting however, that can be painful and is not how a baby would nurse
Alexandra recommends starting slow and steady. Start on a lower setting and when you are consistently producing at that setting, then increase it
“The thing with pumping is, you are tricking your body.”
Play with the pump settings to try to stimulate how a baby will suckle, suckle, suckle, and then do long draw sucks.
We talked about a safety tips guide for sterilizing your pump parts, if you'd like to refer to it, click here!

Transitioning Home

Shut the monitors off! Nurses can still see your baby's stats at the nurse's station, but turning them off will help you rely on them less.
Talk about your experience, process what you’ve gone through. It can be incredibly helpful, even after the NICU.
Other helpful support
- Mental Health checks (talk to your OB)
- Family and support systems
- Therapy
- Mentors

If you are interested in becoming a donor, check out Prolacta Bioscience to learn more.

You can reach out to Alexandra through her instagram or Facebook!

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Michelle Klein, a pediatrician at Uptown Pediatrics in NYC. Originally from California, Dr. Klein earned her BA in Neuroscience from UCLA, followed by a master’s degree in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and her medical degree from New York Medical College. Her journey continued as she completed her pediatric residency, chief residency, and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Klein is passionate about sharing her expertise with families and future pediatricians, and we are thrilled to have her on the podcast.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Leaving the NICU is one of the hardest transitions with your baby. You’re caring for your baby without the NICU, and also there is a transition of having a different doctor care for your baby.
NICU babies have been watched so closely, for so long. The transition from hospital to home, without the reassurance of constant 'vitals' monitoring, can be quite nerve-wracking. While some families may return home with monitoring equipment, in most cases, the babies have progressed and achieved stability. When you feel anxiety creeping in, remember that the reasons they were monitored so vigilantly are no longer as significant.

Finding the right Pediatrician for your family

If possible, connect with a pediatrician before your baby is discharged - set up a virtual meeting, it's a great way to establish a connection!
Provide the pediatrician with background information so they can be prepared for the first "in office" visit with the baby.

Helpful advice for after the NICU - Track and monitor - but modify!

Since there is such a high level of order and organization when you’re in the NICU, you may already be in the habit of keeping track of things, but the granularity of the NICU is no longer needed.
Having some sort of list, whether it is written down, or through phone apps, etc, is fine!
What are some things you can keep track of?
- Feedings (And you can track an estimate of ounces, it does not have to be mLs anymore!)
- Bowel Movements
- Wet Diapers
- Naps
- Medication Lists
- Follow Up Appts

Communicating with your Pediatrician

Set up an email chain with your pediatrician and specialists to keep everyone on the same page.
Be open and honest about communication needs - ask, what is the best way to get in touch with you? Email? Portal?

Dr. Klein shared her own personal NICU experience. Despite her familiarity with the NICU setting from working there numerous times, it was still quite overwhelming. One crucial piece of advice she imparts is the importance of finding your voice to advocate for both yourself and your child.

Additional Resources to check out

NICU Alumni Grad Guide
American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting Website (healthychildren.org)
Check Up Checklists

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Trish Ringley has been a NICU nurse since she graduated from nursing school in 1997. After more than 15 years serving NICU families, she realized how hard it is for parents to find the products they crave to support them during their NICU experience. So in 2014, she founded Every Tiny Thing, a brand devoted to providing the NICU products parents need and deserve.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Trish shared that the Every Tiny Thing journal and the milestone cards serve as more than just “a nice gift”, they are tools that really empower parents and give them a sense of hope and appreciation during their baby's time in the NICU.
Learning to be your child’s primary caregiver while in the NICU helps you to be involved in their care, and helps during the transition home!
Ideas on things you can do to feel like you are the primary caregiver while your baby is in the NICU
- Call the NICU for updates
- Change diapers
- Read to your baby
- Hold your baby/ do Kangaroo Care
- Give your baby a bath
- Journal and keep track of milestones
This involvement sets the stage for you so that when you go home, you feel more prepared to care for your baby “on your own”
Before you leave the NICU ask staff for recommendations and tips, like:
- Do they recommend certain pediatricians?
- How do they give a bath?
- How do they like to swaddle, and why?
- Do they know of support groups in the area? Trish recommends checking out Hand to Hold and Project NICU
- If you're in South Florida, join us for our NICU Alumni Parent Support Group
Other ways to prepare yourself ahead of your transition home:
- Become familiar with things like the carseat (how it attaches in the car, how it attaches to the stroller)
- Become familiar with any medication your baby will have when they go home
- Become familiar with any medical equipment your baby will go home with
- Click here to receive our NICU Discharge checklist
- Take some time to do a little bit of research, you can start here by browsing the NICU Alumni resource library, or click here for our helpful links
It’s ok that it feels hard to transition home. You made it! You’re going to get through it! You are prepared!

Remember, you can learn more about Trish at www.everytinything.com, on amazon, and at their instagram account @everytinything!

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this heartwarming episode, we interview our founder's daughter and dive into the beautiful tradition NICU Alumni started of collecting The Zaky HUGs® to distribute within our community.

What is The Zaky HUG®? 🤗
It is a soft, weighted hand-shaped pillow that simulates the touch and warmth of a parent's hand. It's designed to provide comfort, security, and a sense of closeness for premature and sick babies during their NICU journey and beyond.

🩵 Embracing the NICU Alumni Tradition 🩵
Here's how you can get involved and make a difference:
1️⃣ Listen to this episode and share it with your friends, family, and fellow NICU Alumni to spread awareness and inspire others to join the movement.
2️⃣ Visit www.nicualumni.org/zaky-tradition to learn more about The Zaky HUG® and how you can help make a difference.
3️⃣ Use the link on our page to purchase The Zaky HUG®. It will be sent directly to us so that we can distribute them to a local NICU.
4️⃣ If you are not able to purchase The Zaky HUG® at this time, but would still like to contribute to NICU Alumni and our programs, you can support us here.

We know that together, we can spread love and comfort, one HUG at a time! 💕 🌟

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Krystal Janet is a full time working momma and stepmom. She embraces all parenting a child with special needs, coparenting and life changes with good books and cafecito. Krystal enjoys traveling, attending community events, eating sushi and trying all the red wines. This momma strives to continue strengthening and growing her village through her family and friends, both local and out of state, and has a soft spot for Autism Moms, Stepmoms and graduates of the NICU. Check her out on instagram @theinclusivemama. Sensitive topic: Code Pink

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Leaving the hospital is a huge milestone, but it can be challenging for friends and family to understand that being discharged from the NICU doesn’t necessarily mean the difficulties are over. You and your baby may still have ongoing concerns that need to be monitored and supported. The time after the NICU can be very overwhelming and isolating.
Krystal reminds us that taking time to think of yourself and to take care of yourself, will help you to be able to care for your child.
- Take a look at our NICU Alumni article, "10 Self-Care Tips for Parents of NICU Grads".
After learning about her son’s autism diagnosis, Krystal shares that it was hard to grapple with, and she was upset by how hard it was to get the support he needed
We asked Krystal, "when did you feel like you went from being in 'survival mode' to 'thriving'”?
- Krystal shares that it's ok to take a minute to grieve that what you thought, expected, planned, and dreamed, will look different
- Embrace what the new expectations, plans, and dreams can look like
- FIND YOUR PEOPLE! Community and support make a meaningful difference. Do not stay isolated.

Additional Resources

Free support: UM-NSU Card (free services and programs for those in the South Florida area that are affected by autism and related disabilities)
Miami Mom Collective - Miami Mom Collective is a website that aims to connect area moms to relevant resources, local businesses, can’t-miss happenings, and most of all — each other!
Krystal’s posts on Miami Mom Collective

Follow Krystal on Instagram @theinclusivemama!

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Alesia DiSano, is a Senior Pediatric Occupational Therapist with 19 years of experience in the field. We met through a mutual contact, Leah Jayanetti, a PT that we also had on the podcast earlier this year. In Leah's words… “Alesia is a renowned occupational therapist with a wealth of experience in early intervention, inpatient and outpatient therapy and has worked in the Sensory Integration and Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CIMT) worlds for a long time. She is the best OT I know and her patients thrive under her care.” It was such pleasure to speak to her and we hope you enjoy listening to our chat!

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

More about Sensory Integration - it relates to sensory processing and the experience we start to have first in utero and then as babies, with our environment. Kids with various diagnoses can benefit from support with sensory processes through Sensory Integration and it can be very unique and specific to the child.
More about Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CIMT) - it involves casting an unaffected arm with a removable cast to facilitate the use of the affected arm by taking a way competing information, which can lead to positive gains.
Preparing to Graduate - Trust your intuition/ and advocate for your child
- Think about the environment you are going home to (this keeps coming up across all of our episodes)
- Think about people you can reach out to for support whether in family or friends
NICU Grad Guide - You’re finally home, now what?
- It’s going to take time to get into a routine - that's ok!
- Skin-to-skin and babywearing can help you become familiar with your baby's cues so you know when they are overstimulated. In addition to that, the baby getting to experience this form of movement as you walk around and go about your daily tasks can be extremely beneficial to them and the development their vestibular sense.
- Firm, deep pressure is calming vs. light tickling touches which can be irritating
- Early Intervention - You don’t have to start with everything all at once, you can kick off early intervention with occupation therapy first and then build your child’s support team a little bit at a time from there.
  - Early on, OT can cover milestones across multiple disciplines from speech to physical therapy, so it’s a great place to start for guidance and support
Resources and products Alesia recommends
- Your Baby’s Bottle Feeding Aversion, by Rowena Bennett
- Motherly podcast
- Baby wearing - ErgoBaby and Baby K'tan (the one Alesia mentioned but didn’t have the name.) Ultimately, find what is comfortable for you, and explore the systems that are out there. These are just two that we know can be helpful.

You can connect with Alesia via email - adisano@lifespan.org!

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Marci Launer, is the owner and founder of Launer Speech Language Therapy, a private speech language pathology practice based out of Long Island, NY. While working in early intervention she found her passion for feeding and swallowing in infants and specializes in treating infants and toddlers with Feeding and Swallowing difficulties. Marci has worked with preemies, micro preemies, infants and toddlers with various genetic disorders, syndromes and their families.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Focusing on feeding and swallowing can be a big part of the post-NICU journey for many families
While your baby is in the NICU, under the care of medical staff, try to prepare your mind, your body, and your environment for when your baby will be home. Use that time to start to build your community.
Meal Train/ Meal Baby plans are such a blessing! Not having to think about groceries and meals a few times a week gives parents space to focus on the more important matters that they are experiencing at the time
Feeding and Swallowing can cause a lot of anxiety for parents of NICU grads. It can be challenging to get into a routine and become comfortable with bottles, positioning, and training infants how to chew and swallow properly as well as how to manage textures.
Spending time working on feeding and swallowing doesn’t just help make feeding more pleasant for parents and infants, but it also helps lay the foundation for speech and language!
Every experience is different - try not to compare your child's development to the experience of others. Surround yourself with community as you support your NICU grad.
Marci's Grad Guide recommendation - Keep a journal and document your journey. You can use it to track food, and ounces, and communicating with your child’s team. When you look back, you will see progress, collaboration, and relationships.

Thanks for joining, Marci!! You can connect with Marci on instagram at Launer Speech Language Therapy or marci@launerspeechlanguagetherapy.com.

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Yamile Jackson, is the Creator of The Zaky HUG and International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day. In this interview, Yamile shares about her experience in the NICU with her son and how skin to skin helped them both thrive even in the midst of a tropical storm, and being transferred between two hospitals.

From these experiences she went on to found Nurtured by Design®, where she has harnessed her experience of being a mother to a micro preemie, as well as her professional experience in engineering to create innovative healthcare products for babies in the NICU.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Andrea shares her personal connection to the Zaky Hug
The transition home is hard, but how you interact with them while in the NICU, and participating in Kangaroo Care, helps parents gain confidence to care for their baby once they are home
Join NICU Alumni’s Annual Zaky Tradition
- Click here to send a Zaky to a baby in the NICU
Kangaroo Care Day is May 15th!
- There are so many benefits to Kangaroo Care, and bringing awareness to it empowers families to participate in the care of their baby
- Check out https://kangaroo.care/ for more information about Kangaroo Care Day!
You can connect with Yamile at thezaky.com, on instagram @thezaky, and via email at yamile@thezaky.com

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Lindsay Davis is a Child Life Specialist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. During her time working at a NICU in NYC she created and implemented a child life program in the NICU and co-facilitated the NICU Family Advisory Council. She has a Master’s Degree in Child Life from Bank Street College of Education in NYC and we're so thrilled to get to speak with her!

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Generally, Child Life is focused on supporting children undergoing procedures or receiving a treatment. Specialists run playrooms and activities in the hospital setting.
For the NICU, the focus is around the patient, their families, and their siblings
There are so many things going on while in the NICU and Lindsay shared that journaling can be a really helpful way to process
- Lindsay recommends Every Tiny Thing journals =)
A great way to advocate for your child and for the team to get to know you more in the NICU is by requesting a “Family Meeting” with the care team
Seeking support through community whether in person or virtually is something Lindsay shares about that can be helpful for families while in the NICU (and beyond)
Therapy is another avenue to support you through the NICU and post NICU journey. Reach out to your OB, NICU Social Worker, or even your child’s Pediatrician for suggestions
You can also take a look at Alma Health > Post Partum Specialty
- Find a Provider - Alma
The NICU experience can be very isolating from beginning to end, and even when you get home as well. Be encouraged to voice how you are feeling! It’s okay if you are not okay!
NICU Alumni Grad Guide: Siblings Support! + Books in English and in Spanish!
- Create space to just connect with the older sibling(s), as little a 15 minutes, it will go a long way and foster connection and intentionality
- In My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Growing Hearts)
- The Feelings Book
- The Feelings Book / El libro de los sentimientos (Spanish and English Edition)
- The Colour Monster
- El Monstruo de Colores, (Spanish Edition)
- Every Tiny Thing NICU Journals

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Dr. Jennie Trocchio holds a PhD. in Leadership and Special Education with a focus in Autism.

Ciara LaVelle is a mom and advocate for her two sons, one of whom is autistic. Ciara is also a board member and the editorial director of NICU Alumni.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Although Dr. Jennie’s speciality focused in the area of autism may not seem to be related to a family's journey after the NICU, there actually is quite a fascinating connection. According to NIH, preterm infants are about 4x more likely to be diagnosed with autism! We wanted to bring awareness to this and of course, share tons of resources. Since this month is also Autism Awareness Month, we know you may be looking for support in this area
What drives development? Trusting Relationships!
PLAY is one of the best drivers for development
Neuroplasticity - a beautiful thing about the brain - helps us to know that it’s never too late to make neuro connections that can foster development
A typical therapy setting tends to be therapist driven, with an emphasis on rewards vs punishment from a list of desired tasks - therapists use games and work to make it as fun as possible
Positive Development will follow the lead of the interest of the child to engage and navigate toward meeting a desired goal, so rather than be therapist driven it is child driven
Swings are great for neurodevelopment, they provide a lot of stimulus and sensory input
- A fun take to add connection to the swinging, is to push the child from the front
ABA therapy - Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy
You can learn more about Positive Development at their Website; the Positive Developments Blog; and follow on Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
Some of Dr. Jennie’s recommended resources:
- Stanley Greenspan books, including: Building Healthy Minds, The Child with Special Needs, Engaging Autism
- Books by Dr. Mona Delahooke, including: Beyond Behaviors, Brain-Body Parenting. Mona can also be found on instagram.
- Self-Reg by Dr. Stuart Shanker
- Some autism specific books and resources include: The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida; Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant (Ciara’s favorite, too); and How Can I Talk if my Lips don’t Move? by Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay. In addition to that, any work by Temple Grandin (books, TED Talks, etc.), as well as the HBO movie based on her life which is really fantastic!

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage with Life

Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges

The Child With Special Needs: Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth (A Merloyd Lawrence Book)

Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

Engaging Autism: Helping Children Relate, Communicate and Think with the DIR Floortime Approach (A Merloyd Lawrence Book)

View Details

Consuelo Kloosterman is an experienced pediatric physical therapist. She has over 25 years of clinical expertise in the NICU, and currently works in two level III NICUs in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Physical Therapy in the NICU covers so much about how to care for and connect with your baby. You can learn things like -
- How to touch your baby
- How to hold your baby
- How to change their diaper
- How to massage your baby
- Appropriate positions for feeding
- How to identify when your baby is alert and ready for interaction
- All of which will help prepare you for your time after the NICU
Advice for when you get home
- Being organized is helpful
- Practice in the NICU as much as possible
- Write everything down
- Use a night light in your home as your baby acclimates to the new surroundings - lights in the NICU are on all the time
- Use some blankets that were familiar from the NICU
- Slowly introduce your new routine
- Advocate for your child
Favorite Resource
- www.pathways.org - A website filled with free resources for you to learn about developmental milestones as well as ideas for activities that are appropriate by age
Connect with Consuelo via NICU Alumni hello@nicualumni.org and we’ll get you in touch with her!

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Drawn to Neonatology as a young girl, Dr. Marta Grisel Galarza has been a lifelong NICU baby champion. She is the Medical Director of the Intermediate Care NICU at a leading hospital in Miami, FL. In recent years, she has also developed a Neonatal/ Antenatal specific palliative care program for the Division of Neonatology.

Grisel is a founding board member of NICU Alumni and we are so thrilled to have her join us on the podcast!

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

It’s important to take charge and participate in your child’s care while they are in the NICU. There are elements of the care that the family can contribute to that the medical professionals simply can’t, such as: bonding, and nourishment through breast milk.
Usually, the first question from a parent is: When are we going home?
Let’s reframe that… it’s not WHEN, it’s HOW? So, HOW do we get this baby home?
We loved when Grisel said, “Our goal is the same: to get you home as soon as possible.”
When you answer the question of HOW, then you can track that progress and see each milestone that needs to be met in order for your baby to go home.
The journey doesn’t end at discharge - Asking HOW is a great way to reframe questions when your child is having ongoing specialist visits post-NICU as well. How do we know that our child is making progress? How do we help them reach their milestones? Etc..
Biggest piece of advice: FOLLOW UPs are essential
You receive a lot of information when you’re in the NICU. Once you leave, there may be bits of important information that you don’t remember. THAT’S OK!
The discharge process is overwhelming - you’ve asked and asked to leave and the day finally comes and you can still feel like you are not ready! It's important to give yourself the space to acknowledge that the NICU is traumatizing. Parents and caregivers are in survival mode, and it is difficult to retain and remember information.
How do you build your team of support for your NICU Alumni? Recommendations from Grisel -
- Find a pediatrician
- Consider a developmental pediatrician, someone who goes over milestones and monitors that development
- Getting Physical Therapy early on is a must, they can help be mindful of developmental red flags
- ROP exams are a must, try not to miss, and if you do, make sure to reschedule
- Refer to Early Intervention as soon as possible - we agree 100%!

Thanks, Grisel!

Let's keep in touch! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Leah Jayanetti is a Parent, and Physical Therapist/DPT. Leah has worked in early intervention home based therapy, in unit at the NICU, in NICU follow-up clinics and at outpatient rehab centers. She has lectured in universities and NICU conferences about appropriate environments for NICU babies and is a founding board member of ICU baby where she currently serves as the Director of Programs and Education. We covered so much and could have kept talking for ages.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

At the heart of ICU baby's mission is the belief that everyone will do better when they are together!
When you are together in the NICU, you learn how your baby expresses themselves. You become familiar with how they communicate their wants and needs. This translates when you are home as well.
A question to ask yourself, whether you’re in the NICU or your home - “What do I need, in order to show up in the way I want to?”
Allow yourself to think about what you need in order to be present for yourself, for your baby, and for your family. You likely know, but haven’t asked yourself, and haven’t expressed it.
Once you express it, who can you ask? Maybe it’s an organization, maybe it’s a friend, maybe it’s family.
About ICU baby - They provide support, and guidance through the NICU, as well as helpful tools and reminders.
- Reminders are so instrumental - It is easy to forget information that has been shared with us in the NICU, so ICU baby also provides educational support and information that includes a gentle re-introduction of the content that we need to hear over and over again. LOVE THAT!
- Their resources are available also available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
This brings up another helpful reminder: If you need translation while your baby is in the NICU, ask for it, it’s free and has to be provided to you in your Patient Bill of Rights
Medical Terminology is in LATIN - so even that is a brand new language to all of us
If you don’t know if you can do something, just ask!
Once you're home... It’s not uncommon for something to activate a memory or experience that you haven’t had the chance to process long after you’ve left the NICU. When you leave the NICU you move on to supporting your baby at home and life goes on at a full tilt. As that happens, take the opportunity to process and talk about it, to be vulnerable and brave. 🤍
Leah reminds us of Brené Brown's quote, "Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage."
More resources to check out:
- Zero to Three Resource Page
- Postpartum Support International
  - Warmline
  - Groups
  - Certificate Trainings

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

This week we chat with Kelli Kelley, a 2x NICU parent who is also the founder and CEO of Hand to Hold, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emotional support, education, and community to parents who have had children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or the loss of a baby.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Our challenges don’t end at the NICU
Kelli shares how at first, she was reluctant to even step foot in the NICU after her son was born, but she was encouraged because she knew that he would know her voice and her presence
It does take time to find your “sea legs”, or “NICU legs”
We all have our NICU story, and many of those begin with a difficult and traumatic delivery, and can then be followed by difficult, challenging, ongoing medical journeys.
No matter if your time there is 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, or beyond… you need support
When you go home a new journey begins
By talking about the experience with your kids, and advocating for them, they can come to learn to advocate for themselves and to see how far they have come!
Kelli spent 4 months in the NICU with her son, and 1 week with her daughter. They had very different journeys, and in some ways, the second time was even more difficult.
Reminder about Early Intervention - the earlier parents in the NICU understand their child’s risk factors, the earlier parents can access support
Post-Covid, people understand how difficult isolating for health reasons can be on mental health. It keeps the conversation open.
Hand to Hold provides support in every NICU in Austin where they are located, as well as other hospitals in TX.
They also:
- have a podcast for parents, and a podcast for professionals
- host a free virtual conference in the fall for parents and for professionals
- offer several support groups
- have a brand new app
- have great resources en Español

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

WE LOVE OUR NICU NURSES - Sarah has been a nurse in the Neonatal ICU (NICU) since 2005. The NICU she works at is a Level III - 40 Bed Unit in Miami. She serves as the Charge Nurse as well as the Clinical Coordinator. Sarah is married and has 2 daughters, ages 5 and 6.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

A Clinical Coordinator oversees the care of all of the patients in the NICU as well as the work of the nurses assigned to them.
Nurses, babies, and families form bonds through the difficult and overwhelming time that they are going through while in the NICU, sometimes those bonds continue beyond the NICU.
As you prepare to leave the NICU, don’t forget to take care of yourself, acknowledge the emotions you’re going through, and remember that having a support team can really be helpful.
Journaling while in the NICU is also helpful, if you’re experiencing one of those days where your baby has a setback, then looking though the journal to see how far they have come can really help.
Not every day in the NICU is a “good day” or a “bad day” where progress is made or setbacks are experienced. Sometimes “nothing” happens and you can take that as a win too.
After the NICU, talk about your experiences and share what your life looks like with your baby at home. Talk to friends, family, and maybe even join a support group!
You may need to isolate physically due to having a medically fragile baby, but by talking and sharing with others, it can help prevent you from isolating emotionally.
It's ok to remain cautious as your baby grows and becomes stronger. You can be empowered to set boundaries when you feel like you may need to take a more protective approach as your child is exposed to situations where they may be around others who are sick.
We can't control everything - and your baby is going to get sick... But you can be creative. Carry hand sanitizer, have masks on hand if you start to feel like you’d be most comfortable having others wear a mask while they hold your child for a season, get together outdoors when possible so that you don't feel like you can't socialize with others and still gather together.
If you think of any questions for Sarah, you can connect with her through her email (siverson1110@gmail.com).

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

On our first episode of the year, we speak with Tammy Balaban, an Occupational Therapist in NYC. She has over 15 years of experience working in various settings including schools, homes, and clinics both privately and through Early Intervention. Tammy is passionate about helping babies and their families. She’s been called a "toyologist" by parents, who love her creative approach to using a wide variety of toys in her therapy.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

As a NICU family, getting started in with therapy can be an additional emotional journey, especially since you are most likely still processing
Your Early Intervention team really invests in your child and their overall progress, they are a great resource for you on your child’s journey!
What is a “toyologist”? Tammy researches toys to understand how playing with them can therapeutically help a child and foster their development. =)
Some toys we talked about
- Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank
- Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
- Zingo
Connect with other parents, some groups we love:
- Hand to Hold
- dearNICUmama
- NICU Alumni Parent Support Group
Be encouraged, even if you don’t see immediate progress in your child as they begin Early Intervention, when you look back to what they were doing when they started and compare them to themselves, you will see them making gains.
You can connect with Tammy through her email (tammy.balaban@gmail.com).

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

ThinkFun Zingo Bingo Award Winning Preschool Game for Pre-Readers and Early Readers Age 4 and Up - One of the Most Popular Board Games for Boys and Girls and their Parents, Amazon Exclusive Version

Educational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game for Preschoolers & Toddlers, Game for Boys & Girls, Easter Basket Stuffers, Ages 3+

View Details

Our goal for this podcast has been to talk with parents and families who have “been there” so they can share about their NICU experience, as well as experts who have some kind of connection to the NICU field… Cynthia’s experience and career path actually check both boxes so this episode is kind of a hybrid. We talk about her personal experiences and how she navigated the NICU and post-NICU journey within her family, and also about her point of view as a Mental Health Therapist in the field.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

There is grief in letting go of the expectation of having a “typical pregnancy” and “typical birth experience”
Cynthia shares that in the early days after the NICU she experienced Postpartum Depression, she didn’t feel prepared and her survival mechanism was to operate on “auto pilot”
The NICU is a traumatic experience, and afterwards you may experience triggers
We don’t choose what will cause a trigger - and when you’re just out of the NICU those triggers can be louder than when there is distance from that experience
It’s helpful to deal with them as they present themselves, acknowledging them and naming them
As they present themselves, tease them out. What is coming from trauma? What is hormonal? What is something that is just part of your personality?
The NICU doesn’t leave you, but there is a big community of support for you after you leave. Sometimes you need to tap into that community, or you need to speak to a professional and receive social support.
Cynthia has found that as a result of her NICU experience, she sometimes navigates feelings of defensiveness and combativeness towards medical professionals because she pushes back and asks questions. She sees that with the NICU families she works with as well.
Andrea asks - What if we reframe that perspective and instead, consider that as a result of our NICU experiences, we become greater advocates for our children when working with medical professionals which is why we are asking follow up questions and insisting on having a greater understanding of our child’s ongoing care
Cynthia takes a minute to give one more reminder to acknowledge and name your triggers - ignoring them PAUSES your PROGRESS. Love that advice!
Self care is important; mark self care part of your parenting
Resources we love:
- Hand to Hold
- dearNICUmama
- NICU Alumni Parent Support Group

You can also connect with Cynthia via her email (cynthia@handtohold.org).

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Brooke Arevalo, is an Early Intervention Advocate raising 5 beautiful children in sunny San Diego. Her children range from ages 1-9, with her oldest being the only girl. Three of her children were premature, and 4 of them have gone (or are going through) the Early Intervention program. Her family relocated from New York City to San Diego during covid, so she has gone through this process in both states. She is currently a Director of Finance for a tech startup, and in her free time she loves to surf and cycle!

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

In the beginning after the NICU, it was surprising to see the amount of time that was focussed on feeding. It required a lot of planning ahead of time especially when coordinating outings.
As a NICU Alumni family, you may already know to expect some differences in your child’s developmental trajectory.
- Watch them and consider if something may be an "actual red flag", or may just be a matter of waiting to see if they will "get there on their own time”.
- It's a balance, and you can always discuss concerns over what you're observing.
Advocate for your child - share your concerns, and know that you can push back and appeal a decision if your child is determined ineligible for Early Intervention services.
During Early Intervention, your child will receive progress reports which at times can be hard to read through.
Over time, as you compare them to themselves and to where they started, you will see the progress, and that hopefully, they are growing, learning, and thriving.
A resource that was helpful to Brooke
- CDC Milestones
- CDC Milestone Tracker App
It can be hard, but it is worth it.
Celebrate along the way!
Getting support early is key.

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Liz is an expert in all things Early Intervention (EI) - especially as it relates to services in NYC… but she has a wealth of knowledge to share that can be helpful to all of our NICU Alumni families, no matter where you are.

After gaining some experience working in Early Intervention she fell in love and never looked back. She has now dedicated herself to supporting families in EI programs for over 12 years.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

Early Intervention (EI) is a federally mandated program available across all 50 states. This program services children from ages 0-3.
EI delivers evaluations and services to support a child’s ongoing development.
Although EI is available in all 50 states, how it’s delivered may look different in your home state.
THE FIRST STEP to get the evaluation process started, is to open a referral with the EI Agency in your state - that can come from a doctor, a teacher, or directly from you.
A child is evaluated across multiple areas to determine what services, if any, they will receive.
If your child is determined ineligible for services, and you feel this does not reflect their development, you can request another evaluation.
Liz reminds us, as the parent, you are the expert about your child!
EI is completely voluntary and confidential. The results of the evaluations are treated like medical records.
If you’re hesitant about Early Intervention, since it can be a lengthy onboarding process, Liz recommends to at least have the evaluation done, so that you can decide next steps.
You can also start slow with the amount of services your child receives, however we strongly feel that the sooner you start, the better, and the more services your child can receive, the better!
Since a NICU experience can be traumatic and triggering, consider joining a support group, whether it’s led by a Social Worker, or peers (PS - NICU Alumni hosts a parent support group in South Florida).
Group Support is available through many venues, such as: online forums, virtual, in person, etc… go at your own pace and give yourself grace!
Connecting with a Developmental Pediatrician, someone who can follow your child's progress, can be another great addition to your child's healthcare team.
New York specific resources
- OPWDD for medicaid waiver
- Information about NYC Early Intervention
- Bank Street Playgroup contact information

You can connect with Liz though her email (elizabeth.Gil87@gmail.com).

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Deb Malkoff-Cohen is a Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN), and Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), with a Masters in Clinical Nutrition from NYU. She is the founder and owner of Nutrition by DMC, a nutritional consultation service for children living in and around New York City. Known for her innovative approach to spooning nutritional knowledge into small bellies, Deb is passionate about helping kids achieve physical and emotional health.

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

From a nutrition standpoint, the main objective in the NICU is for your baby to be healthy enough and stable enough to come home
Once you’re home, you may not know when to start to advance your child, and you may not know what goals and priorities to set for making progress when it comes to feeding
It is helpful to get a consultation with a Dietician or with an Occupational Therapist who specializes in feeding. Meeting with them even just once can help relieve a lot of stress around feeding.
Know that you are not a failure if your child ends up needing to get a G-tube
When transitioning to solids, make food taste good! Add the butter! Other flavors to consider: oregano, nutmeg, cinnamon, hot sauce(!!)
Deb’s recommendations:
- Yumi Food Delivery
- Beaba Baby Food Processor*
- WeeSprout Glass Baby Food Storage Jars* - Set of 12
- Superior Glass Food Storage Containers* - Set of 6
- Deb's favorite G-tube formula for 1yo+ is by Kate Farms, they are vegan, dairy free, and qualify to be covered by insurance
- Another good G-tube food option for 1yo+ by Real Food Blends, they also qualify to be covered by insurance

You can can connect with Deb via email or on Instagram.

*includes affiliate links

Let's keep in touch!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Felecia Hatcher currently serves as CEO at Black Ambition; a bold organization founded by Pharrell Williams that catapults and invests in ideas and companies led by Black and Latinx entrepreneurs, scaling business ventures in media and entertainment, consumer products and services, healthcare, technology, and Web 3.

Tomorrow, Nov 17th is World Prematurity Day. It is also the day that kicks off Giving Season in Miami, known as Give Miami Day, so it’s going to be a big day!

We thought it would be really special to talk to Felecia during this time as she is someone who is truly a “Social Impact Extraordinaire”, and is someone who has also had a similar shared experience to our NICU Alumni families, being a 2x NICU Grad parent herself.

Quick Notes from the Episode:

There is community in the NICU, people who you start to get to know who are going through the same shared experience as you
There are also experts that know your child and see your child every day, so when it’s time to go home, it can feel daunting and can feel like no matter how long your child was in the NICU, you aren’t going to be enough of an expert.
You know the terminology, you can ask the questions, and you can become an advocate for your child and for yourself.
You can ask your medical providers to slow down, let them know when you don’t know what they mean, ask them to give you a minute to write it down and even ask them how to spell it
“How can I help?”, and, “Are you ok?” can be the hardest questions for us to answer. Felecia recommends having 2 or 3 answers ready to answer those questions.
So much is required of us in the hard season of the NICU and then transitioning to home after the NICU. It’s okay to receive help, especially when someone is offering!

You can learn more about Felecia at www.feleciahatcher.com, as well as on Instagram, LinkedIn and at blackambitionprize.com.

Let's keep in touch:
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Beth Simonton is the proud mother of 3 children, the youngest of which is her NICU baby. She is also the co-founder and CEO of ICU baby and believes that every parent should have the opportunity to be at their baby’s hospital bedside and she is passionate about removing barriers for NICU parents to be able to accomplish that.

Quick Notes from the Episode:

When a child comes home from the hospital after a NICU stay, you may expect it to be all done, but you’re really just beginning the next chapter.
Sometimes you’re ready for the day, prepared for the appointments, fully stocked and loaded, but something happens and you’re still caught off guard; know that there will be hard days, and it’s ok. The next day you can start over.
The NICU experience is traumatic, and you carry that with you once you’re home, especially in those first months.
A good cry in the car is totally normal! I know I can relate to that!
Many times, the Pediatrician is the first new member of your child’s care team after the NICU, and they are also managing all of your specialists who send them reports.
When you’re meeting with your Pediatrician take a list of questions! Leverage those meetings, think of that time as your time to “ask an Expert”.
If the Pediatrician doesn’t know, they can typically connect you with someone who does.
You can learn more about Beth and ICU baby at www.icubaby.org, as well as on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Click here for opportunities to volunteer!

Let's keep in touch:
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

Ali Dunn is the founder of Me Two Books and the author of four children’s books: I Was a Preemie Just Like You, I Needed the NICU Just Like You, One of Two, a Twin Story about Individuality, and The Career Explorer: An Introduction to Career Development and STEAM Careers. She is also the creator of two e-courses about Career Exploration. Ali is the chief mom officer of identical twins born at 28 weeks. You can learn more about her books at metwobooks.com and connect with her on her blog, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Ali talks about experiencing the NICU with identical twins who, like many multiples in the NICU, did not have identical journeys. She shares what it was like to have them discharged on different days.

Quick Notes:

If you’re a parent of multiples in the NICU, consider the possibility that they may not come home at the same time. It could be helpful to make a loose plan for how to manage being home but also still in the NICU.
Your child’s Pediatrician will be one of the main medical professionals you interact with, especially when you first come home, so it’s important to ensure that they have some extra knowledge about what NICU families may have concerns about
A great way to work through your experience during and after the NICU is to write and journal your thoughts
Reading to your child in the NICU and once you’re home is a sweet way to bond and connect
Ali wrote a special note to coincide with this episode and you can read it here.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.*

View Details

In this episode, we hear from Andrea, the founder of NICU Alumni. She shares her story of being a two-time NICU parent, four years apart, and how those experiences planted the seed to create NICU Alumni and this podcast.

Quick Notes:
- Bookmark our helpful links page as a resource. We will work to update it regularly.
- Early Intervention can have a significant impact on a child’s development. Programs are available in every state and territory, find out how to get started by state.

Let's keep in touch:
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.*

View Details

Welcome to the NICU Alumni Podcast!

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation *for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission by donating.*

NICU Alumni Podcast: Recent Episodes

NICU Alumni