With You in the NICU

There is a growing focus on mental health and well-being, both among healthcare officials and society in general, but we sometimes skip over the simple discussions that help us understand just what terms like anxiety and post-partum depression actually mean and how they might show up in ourselves and our loved ones. Kasia Pytlik is a social worker who helps parents with children in the neonatal intensive care unit at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. She offers some insight to the various emotional ups and downs parents experience in the NICU.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.

While it's true that children don't really come with a manual, two Canadian nurses have made sure that preemie parents have a book to guide them along the beginning of their journey. Karen Lasby and Tammy Sherrow published Preemie Care: A Guide to Navigating the First Year with Your Premature Baby in early 2019. The book is a mix of first-person stories and facts to help families navigate the first few months of a premature baby’s life.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.

The importance of breastmilk is not difficult to understand – but finding the determination to work through the challenges of producing it can be a heavy burden for many mothers. Preemie moms often face additional hurdles, waiting for baby to be able to latch or even consume much milk. Doris Sawatzky-Dickson spent more than 30 years as a clinical nurse specialist, NICU educator, and lactation consultant before transitioning into healthcare consulting. She shares her best tips and advise for pumping mothers in this episode.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.

Making space for yourself might be the biggest parenting challenge of all – but the benefits are worth the investment. NICU parents in particular can struggle with guilty feelings associated with taking time for themselves, but mother and writer Jennifer Robson makes a compelling argument as to why it’s critically important to tap into your own creativity and interests during stressful times.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.

Sleep can be a triggering word for parents. From the often-suggested ‘nap when the baby naps’ to bedtime battles with toddlers, sleep can often seem anything but restful. But its importance should not be marginalized, for both parents and children. Doctor Robyn Stremler is a Toronto-based professor and researcher who specializes in improving sleep and health outcomes for infants, children, and parents. She offers her insights for parents of preemies in this episode.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.

For years, parents of premature babies felt excluded from their infant’s care – in large part because they were. Recently, things have changed in many NICUs, thanks to an approach called Family Integrated Care. Jack Hourigan and her husband, Andy Fenton, were the first parents to take part in the program in Canada. Their daughter, Tess, arrived three months early. Today, Jack and Tess both work to advocate for preemies and parents. Jack joins host and fellow preemie mom, Jenna Morton, on this episode of With You in the NICU.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.

There is so much information front and centre when it comes to pregnancy and infants, it’s easy to miss what you need to know to take care of yourself, Mama. This podcast episode focuses on your physical health, particularly in relation to post-delivery concerns you should be keeping in mind as you heal. Our guide to this topic is Katie Kelly, a certified pelvic floor physiotherapist, instructor, and podcaster from New Brunswick. Katie works with patients of all ages and genders and with various challenges, including post-natal recovery.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.

When you’re looking at your premature infant, it can be hard to visualize them in the future, grown and out in the world. Knowing the stories of other preemies can help. Kimberley McRae is a university student, a member of Canada's national luge team, a two-time Olympian, and a NICU graduate. She joins host Jenna Morton to talk about her accomplishments and how her early days shape who she is today.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.

Marianne Bracht spent more than four decades as a neonatal nurse, supporting families and other medical professionals at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Today, she’s a key volunteer with the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, helping with the Family Ambassador program that aims to support NICU families. She joins the podcast to talk about the risks and realities of dealing with germs and illnesses in relation to infants, particularly preemies.

With You in the NICU is a podcast for those that care for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. The discussions are geared toward parents of preemies, but will resonate with anyone spending time beside a NICU isolette. With You in the NICU is a project of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, with funding from presenting sponsor Medela and support from AbbVie and Prolacta. The podcast's host and producer is Jenna Morton; technical producer is Tosh Taylor.