NICU Babies Parent Support

Trigger warning: death and dying

Exhaustion and sleep deprivation is a part of any parent's story. In this episode, we visit with professor, neonatologist, researcher and perinatal expert, Dr. Susan Hwang about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), SUID (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death) and safe sleep practices. We also explore why NICU graduates may have unique sleep-related risks, offer practical guidance on safe sleep practices, and address the challenges of translating what happens in the NICU to what families do at home. A bonus? We break down what an exhaustion plan is and how you can make it work for you and your baby.

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💚 Connect with Dr. Susan Hwang

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Engagement of Families to Improve the NICU Experience

Episode 55: Preventing SUID in NICU Graduates

Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The possible outcomes for Keishera and Greg Joubert's baby, Cassian, with Congenital High Airway Obstruction Syndrome (CHAOS) were grim. Doctors tried one option and failed, so in an act of faith surgeons tried a highly risky partial delivery to address the airway and then hoped for a chance at life as they awaited the second delivery, weeks later. This episode is as remarkable as the Joubert's and their son. If you need a dose of hope from parents who have "been there, done that," this one's for you.

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The Guardian: "Florida baby 'born twice' after elaborate surgery involving partial delivery"

People magazine: "Baby with 'bleak' congenital disorder born twice after innovative surgery"

ABC News: "Parents of baby boy who was 'born twice' speak out

Word on Fire magazine: Born Twice: The Miracle of Baby Cassian

Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

He loves babies, AND he's got dad jokes. While the NICU can be an intense, and often serious, place, neonatologist Dr. Gal Barbut believes that well-timed levity allows doctors, nurses and NICU professionals to better connect with NICU families. When we share the totality of our humanness - the highs and the lows - we can develop a deeper connection. It's that connection we explore in this week's episode. This one might make you laugh, and cry, as you feel seen in your humanity.

💚 Connect with Kathryn Whitaker

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💚 Connect with Dr. Gal Barbut

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Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

September is NICU Awareness Month, making this an especially meaningful time to share Derick and Stacy's story. As part of its ongoing Little Fighters campaign, Huggies is continuing to spotlight the strength and resilience of NICU babies, including by renaming its Nano and Micro Preemie diapers from 'Little Snugglers' to 'Little Fighters.' Throughout the month of September, Huggies will also amplify the stories of real Little Fighters and encourage others to champion and support them by liking, commenting on and sharing stories at @NICULittleFighters. The more stories are seen and shared, the more support can be rallied for NICU families, helping them feel seen while also driving donations to the Derick Hall One Percent Foundation.

As a 23-week micropreemie, born without a heartbeat, Derrick Hall was given a 1% chance of surviving. In 2026, he became an NFL Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, defeating the New England Patriots 29-13. No matter how dark the days were, his mom, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, never gave up on her son. Together, they're champions for NICU babies and families. In this week's interview, they share their story of resiliency and their partnership with Huggies and the "Little Fighters" campaign, benefitting Hall's One Percent Foundation that focuses on supporting premature babies and their families, combating food insecurity, and addressing childhood obesity in underserved communities.

💚 Connect with Kathryn Whitaker

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💚 Connect with Derick Hall & Stacy Gooden-Crandle

Instagram (Derick) | X | Instagram (Stacy) | One Percent Foundation | Website

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🔗Links

Huggies Little Fighters website

Fox Business

Medium

Little Black Book

Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Everybody has a story. And it's our stories that have the power to heal, educate and inspire. This season, we alternate between family stories and NICU professional stories. We reveal their experiences and then we dig a little deeper, giving honor to the diagnosis and highlighting the emotions, the feelings and the hope. Our guests include an NFL Super Bowl champion and his mom, couples, babies born twice, bereaved parents, neonatologists, maternal fetal medicine doctors, child life specialists and more. Nobody's NICU story, or outcome, is the same, but there are some things universal to the experience. IYKYK.This season is about the experience, the emotion, the outcome and the wisdom. It might be our favorite season yet!

💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker:

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Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief.

Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief.

In this episode, Lana shares the story of her daughter, Allie Reese, who was born with restrictive dermopathy and spent three precious weeks in the NICU before her death. She reflects on the profound impact of losing her daughter, the strain that grief placed on her marriage, and the eventual loss of that relationship as she and her husband grieved in different ways. Lana's honest and vulnerable conversation explores the complexities of mourning, healing after multiple losses, and finding support and connection through the bereavement community.

📺Socials 📺

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Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief.

Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief.

In this episode, Ben and Emilee Blackburn share the story of their daughter, Tatum, who was born prematurely and died shortly after birth. They reflect on the devastating grief that followed, the different ways they each processed their loss, and how their shared commitment to honoring Tatum's memory strengthened their family over time. Their conversation highlights the healing power of purpose and legacy as they offer hope to other bereaved parents navigating life after loss.

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Book: Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope

Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief.

Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief.

In this episode, Jennifer McDonald shares the story of her son, Winston, from a complicated pregnancy and early labor to his time in the NICU and the devastating experience of losing him. She reflects on the first year of grief after Winston's death, the ways loss transformed her perspective, and the ongoing process of honoring his memory. Jennifer's heartfelt conversation offers insight into the early stages of bereavement and how she channeled her love for her son.

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Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death (MEND)

Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief.

Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief.

In this episode, Anissa Scholes shares the story of her daughter, Elisabeth, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 before birth and lived for a year surrounded by love and celebration. Anissa reflects on parenting a child with a life-limiting diagnosis, cherishing milestones that many thought impossible, and navigating the profound grief that followed Elisabeth's death. Her moving story explores the deeply personal nature of grief, the importance of supporting bereaved families without judgment, and the challenge of grieving while continuing to care for other children at home.

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Texas Childrens Hospital

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

SOFT

TedX Talk: Beyond Closure

Book: On Loss and Living Onward by Melissa Dalton-Bradford

Book: Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff

Poem: Separation by W.S. Merwin

Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief.

Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief.

In this episode, neonatologist Dr. Terri Major-Kincade shares the role of palliative care in the NICU and how families can navigate difficult or life-limiting diagnoses. She discusses the language healthcare providers use when communicating with parents, the importance of compassionate decision-making, and key questions families can ask their medical team when facing uncertain outcomes. This thoughtful conversation offers guidance, clarity, and support for parents seeking to make informed choices while honoring their baby's life and legacy.

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🔗Links

Dr. Terri Major-Kincade's Website

Book: Early Arrival by Dr. Terri Major-Kincade

Music

Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license