NICU Babies Parent Support
Episodes
Episode 46: Self Care and Postpartum Depression
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Guest: Shifra Mehl Shifra describes her own experience with postpartum depression She discusses how this experience led her to begin Eim Leah What ...
Episode 45: Grief's Tasks
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Guest: Becca Van Tassel, LCSW Why Becca decided to specialize in grief and loss in her career as a counselor Why is processing the pain of grief so...
Episode 44: Returning to Work After a NICU Stay
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Guest: Mia Durairaj, MSc, NICU mom and founder of Mindful Return Mia discusses her own NICU experience The emotions surrounding going back to work...
Episode 43: The Benefits of Reading Aloud in the NICU
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode: Guest: Dawn Yu Renwick, NICU Nurse, Author/ Illustrator of "Dog Coats What are the benefits of reading aloud in the NICU for your ba...
Episode 42: Occupational Therapy in the NICU & At Home
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hand to Hold's Occupational Therapy Intern, Eliana Cutler, sits down with Kelli to discuss what an occupational therapist (OT) does, and what the role...
Episode 41: Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome - Amber's NICU Story
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest, Amber, sits down with Kelli to share her experience of being diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Amber discusses how s...
Episode 40: What is a Fetal Medicine Specialist?
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest, Dr. Kenneth Moise, sits down with Kelli to discuss what a fetal medicine specialist does, what conditions they treat, and what parents can ...
Episode 39: The Importance of Maternal Mental Health
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli welcomes guest, Lexi Losch, MA, LPC, NCC, discuss why maternal mental health matters, and the difference between "baby blues" and PPD. Lexi sha...
Episode 38: Anxiety After the NICU
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Katrina discusses her preterm birth with her son, Bryce, and how the NICU can precipitate anxiety. Katrina also shares how her experience of bringing ...
Episode 37: The Risk of Postpartum Depression (PPD) for Black Mothers
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nakeenya Wilson, of Black Mamas ATX, discusses her own traumatic birth experience and how that led to PTSD and PPD. She talks about how she got involv...
Episode 36: KC Davis - How to Practice Self-Care
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The majority of self-care content out there seems to rely on having extra time and energy in your life (bubble baths and pedicures anyone?) The realit...
Episode 35: Adoption in the NICU - Ava & Mina's Story
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every baby's NICU journey is unique. As a parent, even if you have experienced the NICU with one baby, a NICU journey with another baby is far from pr...
Episode 34: Tiny Humans, Big Lessons by Sue Ludwig
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sue Ludwig OTR/L, CNT shares more about her book Tiny Humans, Big Lessons: How the NICU Taught Me to Live With Energy, Intention, and Purpose. Through...
Episode 33: Adoption in the NICU - Kevin's Story
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Having a baby in the NICU can be overwhelming and complicated. Imagine for a minute the added complexities of adopting a NICU baby. Kristy and her...
Episode 32: Poetry for the NICU Parent's Soul
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Britney Dehnert describes her NICU experience with the birth of her daughter, how journaling and poetry helped her through her NICU journey, and how d...
NICU Now Episode 31: JJ Heller's Lullaby for NICU Families
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nashville-based singer and songwriter JJ Heller joins Kelli to discuss her popular lullaby Hand to Hold and how it is soon launching as a beautiful...
NICU Now Episode 30: All About RSV
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli and Dr. Gonzalez discuss what RSV is and how to recognize its symptoms. They also talk about when to seek medical attention.
NICU Now Episode 29: Preemies and Diaper Dermatitis
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli and Media discuss what diaper dermatitis is and how it affects premature babies. They talk about the best practices to prevent it, including fee...
NICU Now Episode 28: A Conversation with Sarah DiGregorio, Author of Early
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah speaks about her NICU journey with her daughter and how that led her to write Early. Kelli and Sarah talk about a NICU parent's response to COVI...
NICU Now Episode 27: Processing Emotions During COVID-19
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli and Lexi discuss the emotions most commonly experienced in the NICU and wow to process them in a healthy way. They also talk about PPD and its s...
NICU Now Episode 26: Milk is Medicine
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli and Melinda discuss the term "fetal development interrupted" and why nutrition so important for preemies. They talk about how milk can be medici...
NICU Now Episode 25: Back to Work
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mia discusses her own NICU experience and her emotions when she eventually went back to work. She talks about how to be transparent at work and in th...
NICU Now Episode 24: The Risk of RSV
07 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What is RSV? What are its symptoms and when should you take your child to the hospital? Can RSV be prevented?
NICU Now Episode 23: Having a Late Pre-Term or Near-Term Baby
22 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Along with Sue Ludwig and Dr. Raylene Phillips, Kelli discusses the differences between early term and late pre-term babies. They talk about reasons t...
NICU Now Episode 22: Finding Your Voice as a NICU Parent
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Brandon and Jessica discuss having their daughter in the NICU and learning about the different nutritional options available. They advocated for a hum...
NICU Now Episode 21: Advocating for NICU Babies and Families
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Deb Discenza speaks about her NICU experience with her daughter and finding out her daughter was receiving a bovine-based fortifier in the NICU. She d...
NICU Now Episode 20: Advancing Fortification for the Tiniest Babies
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli speaks with the CEO of Prolacta Bioscience, Scott Elster, about the process used by Prolacta and who the company serves. Scott speaks about the ...
NICU Now Episode 19: Understanding Necrotizing Entercolitis (NEC)
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Mitch Goldstein explains what NEC is, who it typically affects, its symptoms, and treatment. He also discusses what parents should ask about their...
NICU Now Episode 18: Bed Rest with a High-Risk Pregnancy
04 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli and Jennifer discuss Jennifer's high-risk fourth pregnancy with her daughter, Joy. Jennifer speaks about her experience on bed rest at home and ...
NICU Now Episode 17: Bed Rest with a Multiples Pregnancy
04 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli and Crystal discuss Crystal's experience of giving birth to twins after being on bed rest. Crystal talks about how journaling and working with a...
NICU Now Episode 16: Bed Rest, The Basics
04 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kelli and Darline discuss Darline's experience with bedrest during her first pregnancy and how that led her to founding Mamas on Bedrest & Beyond. Dar...
NICU Now Episode 15: Life Transformations after the NICU: Part II
30 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
While on strict bedrest in 2010, Melissa Hinnant needed something to do to keep her mind and her hands occupied. She decided to crochet her daughter a...
NICU Now Episode 14: Life Transformations after the NICU: Part I
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Joining us is licensed family therapist Kara Whalin. Kara is uniquely qualified to address this issue because she knows the sorrow of the loss of a ba...
NICU Now Episode 13: Love and Loss in the NICU
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Kara Wahlin, mother of twin boys born at 26 weeks gestation, joins Hand to Hold for an intimat...
NICU Now Episode 12: Home Sweet Home
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Leaving the hospital after a NICU stay can feel like jumping off a cliff without a parachute. Parents no longer have the stability of doctors and nurs...
NICU Now Episode 11: The Healing Power of Music in the NICU
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
JJ Heller is a singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN. She writes songs for just about every season of life. Over the course of her nearly 14-year care...
NICU Now Episode 10: Understanding Developmental Care in the NICU
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Parenting in the NICU can be quite overwhelming. One of the first tasks parents face is to understand the role of the many different medical professio...
NICU Now Episode 9:The Father's Perspective
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
During pregnancy, mothers have intimate, physical bonds with their baby. They are typically a little more excited about the purchase of maternity clot...
NICU Now Episode 8: The Girl Who Lived
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Kelli Kelley discusses the benefits and experience of reading to your baby in the NICU with Tom French, NICU dad and c-author o...
NICU Now Episode 7: Reading to Your Baby in the NICU
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Across the country, NICUs are now encouraging parents to read to their babies as it serves as an important first step in bonding -- especially when pa...
NICU Now Episode 6: Practicing Self Care in the NICU
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
While it is easy to focus all of our attention on our fragile baby, we will be unable to care for them if we do not first take care of ourselves. Gues...
NICU Now Episode 5: Understanding Your Emotions in the NICU
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk with licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and NICU parent, Kara Whalin, about risk factors and warning signs of postpartum ...
NICU Now Episode 4: Finding Your Footing as Parents in the Zero Zone
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Joining us to talk about finding your footing as parents in the Zero Zone is Kelley Benham French. Kelley is a professor of practice in journalism at ...
NICU Now Episode 3: The Importance of Bonding with Your Medically Fragile Child
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode: Kelli discusses the difference between bonding with a newborn just after delivery and bonding with a medically fragile infant in the...
NICU Now Episode 2: From Powerless to Empowered
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode: How parents can avoid letting stress and anxiety take over and find their footing in the NICU. Advice for empowering yourself as a p...
NICU Now Episode 1: You Are Not Alone
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In This Episode: Kelli's overwhelming emotions upon meeting her micropreemie son Jackson for the first time. What is anticipatory grief and what does...
NICU Now: Prologue
25 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The NICU Now Audio Support Series is Hand to Hold's podcast for parents who are currently in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The Prologue int...