NICU Babies Parent Support

Have you ever been told that suffering from pelvic floor leakage, pain or fear is all just "part of parenthood?" Pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Rebecca Maidansky shares how to avoid doing the wrong thing by doing the right one. She will share how to manage your pelvic health with information, exercise and questions to ask your provider so you can take control of your body.    💚 Connect with...

You're living your hardest days in the NICU, so you turn to social media for support, encouragement, solidarity and community. Can you share too much? When does your story become their story? Veteran NICU parents and active social media users Scott & Kathryn Whitaker share some tips for sharing your NICU baby's journey on social media, setting healthy boundaries and inviting people into your suffe...

To every dad who has endured a NICU stay with his son or daughter, we see you. NICU dad Will Hay shares his hardest day, the thing that gave him hope and how he took his fear and turned it into a beautiful resource for other parents. Dads, this one's for you.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Will Hay: Instagram   🔗Link...

Never pay the first bill, at least that's what podcast guest and medical investigative journalist Marshall Allen advises. At some point, every NICU family has to deal with an insurance company, government agency, medical billing office or all three. Learn how to speak a language that billing offices understand, advocate for your rights and save yourself money, headaches and long hours on hold with...

Paying the medical bills and determining insurance coverage can almost be as stressful as caring for your NICU baby (and sometimes more so). Kelley Coleman - author, disability advocate and mom of a medically complex child - shares questions to ask, provides an overview of programs and shares advice from both her lived experience, as well as insurance and medical billing experts.   💚 Connect with...

Does your employer offer paid parental leave or are you struggling to find a game plan for how to care for your baby after NICU discharge while tending to your job responsibilities? Sherenne Simon, social impact expert, shares how she influenced major policy change in her workplace to accommodate NICU parents. Her book, Own Your Influence: An Unconventional Journey to Making an Impact at Work, hit...

Sometimes we are called to share our stories, in a big way. Emmy-award winning journalist Britt Moreno experienced postpartum complications following the birth of her second child. Instead of quietly working through them, she chose to use her platform as an NBC affiliate news anchor to amplify the crisis of postpartum depression and anxiety in the hopes of helping other women through her interview...

Are you worried you might be suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety? Whether it's been days, weeks or months since the birth of your baby, board-certified OB/Gyn Dr. Nicole Rankins shares what PPD and PPA are, common symptoms, treatment options and where to seek  help.    💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram   |  Facebook   |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Dr. Nico...

You've been admitted to the NICU or you're in the thick of raising a NICU baby and you look around and might wonder how this is your life and what's next - for your baby, your family and your life. THIS is the season that will serve you during your NICU admission and long after your discharge. In season 6 - life after a NICU admission - we tackle postpartum depression and anxiety, paid parental le...

2023 was filled with a plethora of amazing guests and topics. So many exciting things are in store for the podcast in 2024!   In this episode, I share: Highlight some of our guests and topics. How listeners can share their feedback on next year's seasons, by sending us a DM on social media or emailing us at podcast@handtohold.org Take a quick 30-seconds and review, rate and subscribe to our podcas...

Technology and gadgets, when used with purpose and discernment, can be a true aid to a NICU family's life. In this episode Emmy-winning tech expert, Katie Linendoll, shares her go-to products for moms and NICU families, all at varying price points.   In this episode, we chat about: How did you get interested in the field of technology and coding as a woman? What do you hope people take away by uti...

We all have preconceived ideas about what a hospital chaplain is, or isn't. So, in this conversation with author and chaplain J.S. Park, we discuss how families might utilize their services, receive an advocate and find someone to hold space in a difficult moment.    In this episode, we chat about: What led you to pursue a career as a hospital chaplain? When we hear the word "chaplain" that may co...

Food and the holidays go hand-in-hand, but when there is an allergy or restriction they can often be stressful and full of anxiety. Cottage bakery owner and food allergy mama, Vanessa Gonzalez Kraft, walks you through what an allergy might look like, ways to be a hospitable host and tips for adjusting to an allergy-free kitchen.   In this episode, we chat about: Tell me a little bit about your NIC...

As we continue to share stories In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, mom of 5 (including a son with DS) Allison Sullivan shares how she uses TikTok to normalize family life. And, with more than 1.2M followers, we say she might be onto something.   In this episode, we chat about: Tell us a little about your family. When and why did you decide to launch a TikTok account? What's your primary co...

In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we shed some light on life with a DS child with PICU mom, Stephanie Weinert. She shares how she received the diagnosis and how Beckett's entrance into the world changed her life. In this episode we briefly discuss death, dying and grief.   In this episode, we chat about: The day she learned her son was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. What were some of the t...

The NICU often leaves caregivers, and babies, with anxiety and overwhelm and sometimes something more complex, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Tiffany Gladdis shares the difference between anxiety and PTSD and what parents can do to address their triggers and receive treatment.   In this episode, we chat about: How did you get interested in clinical p...

Did your baby just get admitted to the NICU? Feeling overwhelmed? Scared? Frustrated? Tired? Kathryn Whitaker, mom of six (including her own NICU baby), shares the things she wishes someone had told her upon admission. If you want to be seen in your NICU experience, this episode is for you.   In this episode, Kathryn shares: A letter to NICU moms How to advocate for your baby Finding resources for...

The person that spends the most time with your child is likely a NICU nurse. NICU parent, former NICU nurse and current director of NICU nursing, Dr. Lisa Davenport, and I have an honest conversation about the highs and lows of nursing, what things have changed and how parents can have the best relationship possible with their baby's NICU nurse.   In this episode, we chat about:   Of all the profe...

Your child's pediatrician is likely one of their most important; it's where all things begin. Author of the "411" series and revered pediatrician, Dr. Ari Brown, gives great insight on traits you should look for in your own pediatrician, vaccine schedules and resources to help you be the best advocate for your NICU baby.   In this episode, we chat about: After receiving your degree in child develo...

Women often hear that breastfeeding is natural, but many encounter challenges or hurdles. Neonatologist and breastfeeding advocate, Dr. Leah Jordan, shares tips on establishing a good milk supply, finding good lactation support and advice on managing stress when nursing your NICU baby doesn't go as planned.   In this episode, we chat about: What led you to pursue a career in neonatology? Why are y...

When formula or breastfeeding isn't a viable option for your NICU baby, donor milk may be the next best alternative. Former Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin Board Member and NICU mom, Veronica Cogwin, shares about her daughter's personal experience as a donor milk recipient.   In this episode, we chat about: Tell us about Victoria's birth. What did your breastfeeding journey look like with your microp...

IEPs! 504s! Sometimes those services provided by the school can feel overwhelming, even when know they can benefit our child. School Board Trustee and NICU mom, Amber Feller, breaks it all down into practical steps, with action items to help you focus so you can assist your child in receiving the services he or she needs.   In this episode, we chat about: What led you to pursue a fulfilling, but s...

Just when you find your rhythm, something like school bullying enters the picture and it can often feel overwhelming and frustrating. Sr. Josephine Garrett, a licensed mental health school counselor talks strategies, perspective and encouragement in dealing with bullying.   In this episode, we chat about: How and why did you pursue counseling? You serve both a school and have a private practice. W...

Today, you get the trifecta! Doula, birth photographer and breastfeeding advocate Leilani Rogers shares about her breastfeeding awareness passion project, which was an outgrowth of her work as a birth photographer. Those two passions then led her to obtain her doula certification. Her knowledge and experience in all three is certainly a gift!   In this episode, we chat about: How did you find your...