NICU Babies Parent Support

When parents get the call about a baby ready for adoption, they don't often expect it to be accompanied with a NICU stay. Adoptive mom, Shannon Donnelly, shares how life changed for her and her husband, how they navigated an out-of-state adoption and NICU stay and how they found peace with her daughter's birth parents.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Webs...

"Is this normal?" is something almost every NICU parent asks about their baby at some point. In this episode, popular social media ER doctor, Dr. Meghan Martin aka drbeachgem.10, shares her own NICU story, how to be a good advocate for your child and encourages parents to always listen to their parental instincts.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website  ...

NICU parents worry about a lot, but we know that education is power. If your child is at risk for eye abnormalities like retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), or has been diagnosed, pediatric ophthalmologist and popular podcaster, Dr. Rupa Wong allays some of the common fears and gives you tools to be a better advocate for your child's eye health.    💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagr...

Valerie Rodriguez wasn't planning on a lot of things: another pregnancy, multiples, a NICU stay or even having to say goodbye to one of her boys. In this episode she shares how she found her new normal, navigating grief, special needs and her evolving role as a mom and wife.    Trigger warning: in this episode we talk about death and suicide. If you need to talk to someone, please call 988 or visi...

Her daughter was diagnosed with spina bifida during a tenuous spinal surgery and then she was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the mom of eight, Britt Fisk knows a thing or two about surrendering control. Her perspective was hard won and in this interview, Britt shares how laying down hard things helped her pick herself back up, and live again.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagr...

Everyday, 3,000 parents find out their child may have a NICU stay. They may start by logging on to the Hand to Hold website, but Founder and CEO of Hand to Hold, Kelli Kelley, and Executive Director, Katrina Moline, hope that NICU parents receive a plethora of support before, during and after their child's hospital stay. Whether you listen to the podcast, ask for a peer mentor, receive free counse...

How many times has someone asked you, "Are things back to normal yet?" following your NICU stay? We know how frustrating that question, and the answers, can be. In season 9, it's all about finding your new normal. Our guests include parents of quads, adoptive NICU parents, a pediatric ER doctor, parents navigating life-altering medical diagnoses (for them and their babies) and a pediatric ophthalm...

From there to here. When Kasie Marek's son received a heart transplant after a long and difficult medical road of treating his hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), she had no idea what lay on the other side of treatment. Listen as Kasie shares their honest journey and what she's learned in this season's final episode.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  We...

Should you have another child after a NICU stay? While it's a common question, there is no easy answer. Special needs mom Stephanie Goley shares how her family weighed the decision of adding to their family, how they focused on joy instead of fear and how they found peace with the decision.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with the gue...

During a NICU stay, there's often a population that gets overlooked: the siblings. Parenting expert and child development specialist Dr. Siggie Cohen helps parents get to the heart of conflict, develop positive sibling relationships and find confidence when you're surrounded by chaos.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Dr...

As a nurse educator with a NICU nursing background, Chelsea Samms shares her honest experience in caring for NICU babies. She encourages parents to trust their instinct when treating illnesses like RSV, how to advocate for their baby when working with specialists and how to minimize overwhelm when it all feels too hard.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Web...

Hope needs a face. We often wonder how parents and caregivers of very medically fragile children can find joy and hope, even in the midst of long days, hospital stays and unimaginable grief, but they do. Today's guest, Mary Lenaburg, gives hope to parents who are having a hard time believing that it's possible.    💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website  ...

You're worried your child may need special education services, but you don't know where to start, what questions to ask or how to advocate for your child properly. Former special ed teacher and diagnostician and current special education consultant Suzanne Blume will empower parents with the right words, information and encouragement to be the best educational advocate for your child.   💚 Connect...

Did your grandchild just earn a first-class ticket to the NICU? Listen as grandparent (Jammie as she's called) and pediatrician, Dr. Judith Enders, share her best suggestions for loving your grandchild well and supporting your child without being overbearing.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Dr. Judith Enders: Instagram...

Need some hope? Season 8 delivers. Whether you're needing hope because your grandchild is in the NICU, you've suffered a loss, a difficult medical diagnosis, learning challenges or sibling discord - this season has something for you. Set fear aside and open wide the door to hope. We're ending our year with a powerful set of inspirational voices. Hope lives here!   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn...

Many caregivers and parents have a desire to invite others into their NICU story. But when does sharing become an invasion of a child's privacy? How do parents share the suffering, but honor the child's story? Licensed counselor and social media influencer, KC Davis shares healthy boundary touchpoints and examples of how to honor the story and the child. 💚  Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker...

Necessity is the mother, or in this case, the father of invention. Former exec turned entrepreneur and NICU dad, Ryan Sheedy helped co-found My Mejo, an online medical journal designed to help parents alleviate the stress of keeping track of medications, procedures, allergies, specialists and more.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with...

The NICU rollercoaster of emotions is real. NICU mom, pediatrician, hospitalist and postpartum expert Dr. Jess Daigle speaks from experience when she shares how to put in better boundaries, understand your baby and take care of yourself while helping both you, and your baby, thrive.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Dr....

Mom and author Laura Kelly Fanucci shares how her twin pregnancy was a surprise, as was their diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion. She shares how surgery was initially thought to aid in their development, but when it didn't. Laura tenderly explains how her family walked through grief and found joy and purpose again, amidst deep suffering.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram  ...

Kids grieve a loss, too. In this conversation, child life specialist and thanatologist Dr. Korie Leigh discusses strategies for helping kids understand, process and move through grief.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Dr. Korie Leigh: Instagram   |  TikTok   |  LinkedIn   |  Website   🔗 Links to resources: National All...

Stillbirth isn't often talked about, but it's a reality for many families. Katie Talman tenderly shares her loss, how it affected her family and what grief feels like.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Katie Talman: Instagram   |  Facebook   🔗 Links to resources: Anderson Cooper Podcast: The Greatest Loss   Turner Syndr...

Sometimes, tending your home can feel overwhelming. Creator of the Naptime Kitchen and mom of four, Kate Strickler, shares tips and strategies for making it manageable (as well as a free resource for NICU moms!) Whether you're trying to tackle the medicine cabinet or kid clothes or shifting your mindset, Kate's ideas are something you can implement today.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitak...

In season 7 - tending the heart, body and home - we tackle making your home work for you, digital medical journaling, loss and bereavement, helping kids understand grief, stillbirth, managing the NICU rollercoaster and finding good boundaries on social media.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website    📺 Socials 📺 Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Twitter   |...

Sex after a NICU stay. Is it an oxymoron? Whether you're fearful or excited, sexologist Anisa Varasteh with Relate Sexology shares what the postpartum body feels like, how to talk to your partner, how to address fear, tips for developing better intimacy and when to reach out for professional help.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with...

Feeling overwhelmed and confused by caring for your body through nutrition and exercise? Certified personal trainer and nutrition coach Shalini Blubaugh will share common myths about both, overcoming obstacles and how to integrate realistic habits into your daily life to make your own health a priority so you can better care for your NICU baby.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagr...