In this episode of Tiny Miracles, we hear from Josie Kramer
whose twins, Sterling and Emory, were born at 25 weeks. We also hear from Dr. Gillian Headley, a neonatologist with over 25 years of experience. Sterling and Emory were some of the first babies in the Small Baby Unit at the hospital where they were born. Dr. Gillian Headley was part of the team that developed and launched that Small Baby Unit back in 2017.
Topics covered in this episode:
Small Baby Unit
NEC
Brain Bleeds
Reading at the Bedside
Life after the NICUI asked Josie what advice she would give to families whose babies are currently in the NICU. Her first piece of advice is to talk to someone: a family member, friend, or licensed counselor. Journaling was also something Josie found to be helpful during her children’s NICU stay. The second piece of advice Josie gave is to be bold in asking questions of the nurses and doctors. After her children were discharged from the NICU, Josie joined the NICU support group that the hospital provided for NICU graduate families. Support groups can be incredibly helpful during the transition from the NICU to home, and for the years following your baby's discharge from the NICU.
Families should not have to experience their NICU journeys alone. Below you will find links to organizations that support NICU families:
My Preemie Baby Book (Journal) - https://www.mypreemiebabybook.com/
March of Dimes - https://www.marchofdimes.org/our-work/nicu-family-support
Project Sweet Peas - https://www.projectsweetpeas.com/
Hand to Hold - https://handtohold.org/
Graham's Foundation - https://www.grahamsfoundation.org/
Ideas for Supporting NICU Parents - https://handtohold.org/unique-ways-support-nicu-parents-ideas-nicu-care-basket/Most hospitals provide support for NICU families as well. Reach out to your baby’s nurse and ask if the hospital offers any services specific to parents with babies in the NICU.
Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay
Zakhar Valaha from Pixabay
Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay
Juan Sanchez from Pixabay
