Dear NICU Mama

Welcome back, beautiful mamas! We hope you were all able to find moments of joy during the holiday season and that your start to 2023 has been wonderful. We are kicking off season six with co-hosts Martha & Ashley reflecting on their break, as well as previewing this season's theme: Growing Your Family After NICU!

We are so excited to launch this new season and share some remarkable NICU journeys, roundtables, and conversations with specialists. Thank you for being a part of this sisterhood!

To purchase and send a virtual Valentine’s telegram, head to: https://www.dearnicumama.com/shop/virtual-valentines-telegram!

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This week’s podcast episode is a special one! Not only is this week’s episode the final episode of season 5, but it’s also a “Mamas Call In” episode! We asked this sisterhood, “NICU mama, who is someone during your NICU stay that became like family? What moment with them do you remember the most?”, and the responses were absolutely beautiful.

It has been an amazing season 5 and we cannot wait to connect with you all for season 6 in January. Words can’t fully express our gratitude to the specialists and NICU Mothers that share so vulnerably on this podcast, and also to each of YOU for tuning in and being here with us week after week. Thank you for being a part of this community. We love you all and hope you have a safe and gentle holiday season!

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Cold and flu season, pandemic, RSV oh my! On this week’s episode, we are sharing a replay of an episode we recorded in season 4 where we had the opportunity to sit down with a very well-known and respected pediatrician in the Fargo Moorhead area, Dr. Stephanie Hanson with Sanford Health. Dr. Hanson has 11 years of pediatric experience, and in her practice has seen many NICU grads come through her clinic. Cold and flu season is a scary topic for any new mother, but for many NICU mothers there is an added element of fear as their babies may have compromised immune systems. Add on the pandemic, and this time of year can be very anxiety inducing. So today we wanted to take the opportunity to share some practical information regarding cold and flu season from a licensed and experienced medical professional!

Throughout the episode, we talk about:

• Why is cold and flu season picking up so early this year?
• What are some basic practices a NICU mom can do to protect her child’s immune system during cold and flu season?
• What can our response be when well-meaning friends and family say things like “Don’t live in fear… they have to build their immune system sometime!”
• Words of encouragement for NICU families who are sending their kids to daycare and school

We hope that this episode eases some of your fears, gets you away from those midnight google searches, and reminds you that you are your baby’s best advocate. You can do this mama!

To get connected with Sanford Health: www.sanfordhealth.org

To get connected with DNM:

 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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It's spooky season! And this week, we have the pleasure of welcoming back Natalie Reiter with Prairieland Counseling to discuss the topic of "spooky" or intrusive thoughts.

In this episode we cover:

• What are intrusive thoughts and how can we identify them?
• What are common intrusive thoughts that NICU parents might experience?
• What are some practical things NICU moms can do when intrusive thoughts are becoming more frequent and/or more consuming?
• Am I a bad mom if I experience intrusive or spooky thoughts?

We hope this episode reminds all NICU mamas listening that no matter the thoughts you may find yourself experiencing, that you are and always will be the best mother for your baby. You are not alone!

For the book “Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts: Breaking the Cycle of Unwanted Thoughts in Motherhood” mentioned in the episode, head here, and for the book “Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts”, head here!

Natalie specializes in reproductive mental health which includes peri-natal, post-partum, infertility, infant loss, paternal mental health, and the impact on couples. She has received specialized training in perinatal and post-partum mental health from Postpartum Support International, and was recently selected as the 2019 Outstanding Mental Health Counselor by the North Dakota Mental Health Counseling Association for my work with reproductive mental health. Her work as a child birth educator and her two children have sparked her passion of working with reproductive mental health!

To get connected with Natalie:

 Website | Instagram | Facebook

To get connected with DNM:

 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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On this week’s podcast episode, we have the honor of hearing the miraculous NICU journey of Mateo! Throughout this episode, Mateo’s mom Paola shares about her high risk pregnancy and delivery, Mateo’s triumphs and setbacks during his 4 month NICU stay, and how Mateo is thriving as a four year old today with Kniest Syndrome.

To the medically complex NICU mamas in our sisterhood, we hope you feel seen and validated. No matter the diagnosis, this sisterhood honors your child’s resilience and your journey of lifelong healing!

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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Join us for Dear NICU Mama's annual conference 'Courage Lives Here' on November 5th! This virtual conference is for both past and present NICU moms, birthing parents, and the providers that support them! Featuring Hilary Waller, MS, LPC, Director of Education and Programming/Psychotherapist at The Postpartum Stress Center, and Parijat Desphande, renowned high-risk pregnancy specialist, author, speaker, and NICU mama.

A HUGE thank you to our sponsors Gate City Bank, Sanford Health, Essentia Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Angel Eye Care, and Johnson's for making it possible to offer our ticket price at a reduced rate of $65!

This special event will offer the opportunity to learn about trauma after the NICU, meet NICU mamas from around the world, and discover the courage inside of you in your journey of healing. For more information and to get your ticket today, head to www.dearnicumama.com/events!

Hilary Waller, MS, LPC, is a psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She is the director of education and programming at The Postpartum Stress Center outside of Philadelphia, which was founded by renowned perinatal expert Karen Kleiman and has been recognized in Philly Magazine as a "Center of Excellence" for Maternal/Fetal Care. In addition to providing direct care services to individuals, couples and groups at the center, Hilary serves as an instructor with Karen Kleiman, providing a quarterly 12 CE hour postgraduate advanced training for clinicians across the US and abroad who want to specialize in treating the perinatal population. She conducts workshops and trainings for maternal mental healthcare providers as well as non-clinical staff working with the perinatal population. Hilary co-authored the second edition of Karen Kleiman and Amy Wenzel’s Dropping The Baby and Other Scary thoughts. Her forthcoming clinical workbook on the treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, co-authored by Karen Kleiman, will be published by PESI Publishing.

Parijat Deshpande is an author, speaker and the CEO of a global, boutique company dedicated to reducing pregnancy complications and ending preterm birth. On a mission to end the high-risk pregnancy crisis, she has served and supported hundreds of women through her programs, one-on-one work and bestselling book, Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy.

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For many families in the NICU community, specialist appointments and recurring hospital stays are not uncommon. And it can feel challenging to know how to not only navigate their ongoing medical challenges and procedures, but also to ensure that they feel seen, heard, and validated throughout their experiences. Which is why we are thrilled to have a conversation with Dr. Eric Riklin of the UCLA Family Development Program as a guest for today’s podcast episode!

Dr. Riklin not only brings the wisdom of a Clinical Psychologist to this episode, but he also offers his own personal experience of spending a large majority of his childhood in a medical facility undergoing multiple medical procedures and facial reconstruction surgeries. For parents who are looking for insight on how to navigate medical challenges alongside their children as they age, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Eric shares:

• Ways that loved ones in his life helped make hospital experiences feel normal and a special part of his childhood
• Words of hope or encouragement for parents who feel guilt or shame about their child’s recurring hospital stays and visits
• Tangible or practical things that parents can do to prepare their children for an upcoming hospital stay or appointment

We hope that parents of medically complex NICU children feel empowered and reminded that you do not navigate this journey post NICU alone. 💕

Dr. Eric Riklin is a Pediatric Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), as well as a former Clinical Psychology Intern in the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR) Clinic at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Eric's psychology training has spanned a wide variety of settings, including hospitals and community mental health centers, providing brief and long-term psychotherapy to children, adolescents, young adults, and families with a wide range of psychiatric, medical, and behavioral concerns. He has over 40 publications and presentations, and has given several talks at various conferences on resilience and the mental health of youth with chronic medical conditions. Eric was born with Crouzon syndrome, a very rare craniofacial diagnosis that manifests as a facial difference and has required 25 surgeries. His experiences to date have crystallized his interest in working as a clinical psychologist with pediatric patients, and their families, as they navigate various medical and mental health needs.

To get connected with Dr. Riklin:

 UCLA Family Development Program

To get connected with DNM:

Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the show

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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This week, we have the privilege of speaking with Katie Taylor from Child Life On Call! When bonding with your baby and navigating the world of the NICU feels isolating and difficult, a child life specialist may be a really wonderful advocate to have in your corner.

In this episode we cover:

• How can I bond with my NICU baby when I am sharing the role of a caretaker with so many other people?
• How can I bond with my baby when I’m not able to be present in the NICU 24/7?
• How can I include my older children at home in their new sibling’s NICU journey?
• How might a child life specialist be helpful in our NICU journey, and how can I access one?

We hope this conversation affirms that NICU mama, you are the best mother for your baby and a bond is built over time. 💕

Katie Taylor is a certified child life specialist, podcast host and CEO + Founder Child Life On Call.  With the expertise of a child life specialist and the heart of a momma, Katie's passion is supporting parents, kids and the care team with the tools they deserve so they can transform from overwhelmed to empowered during medical experiences. With over a decade of in-hospital experience, Katie has helped hundreds of families cope with and navigate challenging life events.  

Katie graduated from the Pennsylvania State University and has studied and worked at facilities like Children's National Medical Center, Inova Children's Hospital, Dell Children's Medical Center and St. David's Children's Hospital. She authored her first children's book, Super Silly Wash Your Hands Dance, in early 2020 and has been featured in the media as a child development expert. When she's not doing all things Child Life On Call, she loves spending time in the great trails of the Hill Country with her husband and two children, listening to audiobooks and visiting local Austin breweries.

To get connected with Katie:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Child Life On Call Podcast

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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We have the honor of welcoming Dr. Frankie Harrison of Miracle Moon to the Dear NICU mama Podcast today! And we are having a discussion all about engaging with social media in a way that honors our hearts and the places we are at in our healing journeys.

In this episode we cover:

• What is power of storytelling and sharing our journeys, specifically on social media?
• What are some ways that we can gently engage with social media? What are some ways we can protect our hearts if the content we’re seeing is too much?
• How can we move forward when we find ourselves comparing our motherhood story to others that we see on social media?
• For the moms who don’t feel comfortable sharing their story yet, what are some tangible ways that they can receive support?

We hope this episode gives you permission to engage and disengage with social media in a way that honors your heart. You are never ever alone! 💕

Dr Frankie Harrison is a clinical psychologist who specializes in supporting parents through their NICU journeys and beyond. Frankie is also a NICU mama herself, she had her first baby at 31+1 due to pre-eclampsia, so knows first-hand the impact NICU can have on your wellbeing. She runs an online community called miraclemoonuk where she shares psychological knowledge for people to normalize and validate people’s experiences. She also runs a private practice where she helps people individually and runs courses to make psychological support accessible.

To get connected with Frankie
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Miracle Moon Podcast

This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.

To learn more about Every Tiny Thing mentioned in this episode, head here!

To get connected with DNM:
 Website | Private Facebook Group | Instagram

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