It is likely that you have heard the terms jaundiced and/or bilirubin. And although it is very common for infants to develop elevated bilirubin levels otherwise known as hyperbilirubinemia, do you actually know or understand why? As a NICU provider, I think it is essential that parents know the condition their infant is facing, but it is also important to understand the why behind its occurrence. If you do not understand the why, the treatment plan will also not make very much sense to you. I believe parents should be actively involved and partners in their baby’s care. But, it is nearly impossible to be actively engaged in the decision-making process if you do not understand the why behind the condition.  For our 32nd podcast episode, I break down how our bodies process bilirubin, how we eliminate it, what causes the skin color to become jaundiced, why we as neonatal clinicians monitor bilirubin levels so closely, and I also review some of the common conditions that increase your infant’s risk of developing hyperbilirubinemia. Some of the pathophysiology of hyperbilirubinemia can be confusing, but I review it in a way that will make sense to you so you can learn why elevated bilirubin levels occur, and even more importantly, understand your baby’s treatment plan. The review will also be very beneficial for novice NICU clinicians or those that need a refresher on the pathophysiology of hyperbilirubinemia in term and preterm infants. So let’s get to it!Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/NeoTech NeoShades Free Sample: neotechneoshades.comNICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode32Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsPinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

It is likely that you have heard the terms jaundiced and/or bilirubin. And although it is very common for infants to develop elevated bilirubin levels otherwise known as hyperbilirubinemia, do you actually know or understand why?  As a NICU provider, I think it is essential that parents know the condition their infant is facing, but it is also important to understand the why behind its occurrence. If you do not understand the why, the treatment plan will also not make very much sense to you. I believe parents should be actively involved and partners in their baby’s care. But, it is nearly impossible to be actively engaged in the decision-making process if you do not understand the why behind the condition.   For our 32nd podcast episode, I break down how our bodies process bilirubin, how we eliminate it, what causes the skin color to become jaundiced, why we as neonatal clinicians monitor bilirubin levels so closely, and I also review some of the common conditions that increase your infant’s risk of developing hyperbilirubinemia.  Some of the pathophysiology of hyperbilirubinemia can be confusing, but I review it in a way that will make sense to you so you can learn why elevated bilirubin levels occur, and even more importantly, understand your baby’s treatment plan. The review will also be very beneficial for novice NICU clinicians or those that need a refresher on the pathophysiology of hyperbilirubinemia in term and preterm infants. So let’s get to it! Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> NeoTech NeoShades Free Sample: <a href="http://neotechneoshades.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">neotechneoshades.com</a> NICU Mama Hats: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode32" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode32</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Pinterest Page: <a href="https://pin.it/36MJjmH" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://pin.it/36MJjmH</a>

Elevated Bilirubin Levels in Infants: Why Does it Occur?

Mary Coughlin

For this podcast episode, I was very honored to be joined by Ms. Mary Coughlin. Mary is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, but also a published author of several pieces of work. She is well-known in the neonatal world for her development of the core measures for developmentally supportive care, but most recently with her published work and creation of the trauma-informed professional certification program as well as additional programs, workshops and masterclasses through Caring Essentials Collaborative. I was so honored to be able to sit down and discuss Mary’s work experience that led her to the transformational work she is doing today. Just listening to Mary is transformational! As NICU clinicians, Mary reminds us of the importance of our role and why it is so crucial for us to embrace our vulnerability, take our armor down and truly connect with each other on a human level. Trauma-informed care is not about doing more as a clinician, it is about being more of your loving, compassionate self so you can make a difference by fully showing up for your patient and their family. We also discussed the trauma that is so common for NICU parents throughout their NICU journey and in the years to follow. So many NICU parents feel alone and isolated in the process, yet it is common to so many. We discussed the word trauma and why it is often downplayed or not spoken openly about it NICUs like it should be. And most importantly, we share the importance of working through and moving through your trauma, which will be difficult but is essential for the well-being of the entire family unit.Trauma-informed care is a concept that has been applied to several areas of medicine and patient care, but its application to the NICU is still emerging. Mary learned about trauma-informed care and knew that she had to introduce it into the NICU world. Not only does trauma-informed care in the NICU directly affect the baby, but it also addresses the family as well as the clinicians who are caring for the infant and family. Mary explains why the personal journeys we all go through and each of our stories play into an intricate web that involves each and every one of us. It is through this that we can all more intimately connect and heal one other. Empowering NICU Parents Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode31Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsPinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

For this podcast episode, I was very honored to be joined by Ms. Mary Coughlin. Mary is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, but also a published author of several pieces of work. She is well-known in the neonatal world for her development of the core measures for developmentally supportive care, but most recently with her published work and creation of the trauma-informed professional certification program as well as additional programs, workshops and masterclasses through Caring Essentials Collaborative.  I was so honored to be able to sit down and discuss Mary’s work experience that led her to the transformational work she is doing today. Just listening to Mary is transformational!  As NICU clinicians, Mary reminds us of the importance of our role and why it is so crucial for us to embrace our vulnerability, take our armor down and truly connect with each other on a human level. Trauma-informed care is not about doing more as a clinician, it is about being more of your loving, compassionate self so you can make a difference by fully showing up for your patient and their family.  We also discussed the trauma that is so common for NICU parents throughout their NICU journey and in the years to follow. So many NICU parents feel alone and isolated in the process, yet it is common to so many. We discussed the word trauma and why it is often downplayed or not spoken openly about it NICUs like it should be. And most importantly, we share the importance of working through and moving through your trauma, which will be difficult but is essential for the well-being of the entire family unit. Trauma-informed care is a concept that has been applied to several areas of medicine and patient care, but its application to the NICU is still emerging. Mary learned about trauma-informed care and knew that she had to introduce it into the NICU world.  Not only does trauma-informed care in the NICU directly affect the baby, but it also addresses the family as well as the clinicians who are caring for the infant and family. Mary explains why the personal journeys we all go through and each of our stories play into an intricate web that involves each and every one of us. It is through this that we can all more intimately connect and heal one other. Empowering NICU Parents Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> NICU Mama Hats: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode31" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode31</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Pinterest Page: <a href="https://pin.it/36MJjmH" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://pin.it/36MJjmH</a>

Trauma-Informed Care in the NICU with Mary Coughlin

For this podcast episode, we review some recent research studies that not only show the importance of frequent skin-to-skin care, but how it correlates with a more synchronous relationship between the infant and parents, promotes parental attachment, involvement, and breast milk production! You will hear many of the ways skin-to-skin care positively affects the infant and the parents. The practice of kangaroo care between an infant and their parent results in this beautiful, virtuous, positive cycle of unending benefits for everyone involved! With both the physical, mental, and neurobiological benefits, kangaroo care is one of the most effective non-pharmacological nursing interventions used in the NICU for the care of infants and their family. Skin-to-skin care has been shown to minimize stress in infants and mothers, promote parental engagement, positively influence the infant’s microbiome, stabilize an infant’s physiologic functioning, improve an infant’s neuromaturation, decrease the risk of postpartum depression, and improve maternal-child attachment. Once parents begin to bond with their infant, they are more likely to remain involved which allows them to learn their infant’s behavioral cues. Once this occurs, parents are able to confidently care for their infant while in the NICU and after discharge which continues to promote a nurturing environment and ultimately improves the infant’s long-term outcomes.Stay tuned and get ready to be blown away by the amazingness of what our human bodies can do!Grab your freebies mentioned in the episode at:https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroolog/https://empoweringnicuparents.com/standingtransfer/Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode30/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsPinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

For this podcast episode, we review some recent research studies that not only show the importance of frequent skin-to-skin care, but how it correlates with a more synchronous relationship between the infant and parents, promotes parental attachment, involvement, and breast milk production! You will hear many of the ways skin-to-skin care positively affects the infant and the parents. The practice of kangaroo care between an infant and their parent results in this beautiful, virtuous, positive cycle of unending benefits for everyone involved! With both the physical, mental, and neurobiological benefits, kangaroo care is one of the most effective non-pharmacological nursing interventions used in the NICU for the care of infants and their family. Skin-to-skin care has been shown to minimize stress in infants and mothers, promote parental engagement, positively influence the infant’s microbiome, stabilize an infant’s physiologic functioning, improve an infant’s neuromaturation, decrease the risk of postpartum depression, and improve maternal-child attachment. Once parents begin to bond with their infant, they are more likely to remain involved which allows them to learn their infant’s behavioral cues. Once this occurs, parents are able to confidently care for their infant while in the NICU and after discharge which continues to promote a nurturing environment and ultimately improves the infant’s long-term outcomes. Stay tuned and get ready to be blown away by the amazingness of what our human bodies can do! Grab your freebies mentioned in the episode at: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/</a> <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/</a> <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroolog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroolog/</a> <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/standingtransfer/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/standingtransfer/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode30/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode30/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Pinterest Page: <a href="https://pin.it/36MJjmH" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://pin.it/36MJjmH</a>

The Positive Effects of Kangaroo Care: A Literature Review

For our 29th Podcast episode and to close out HIE Awareness month, I sat down with Brigid Janousek. She bravely shares the story of her son William's traumatic delivery and his subsequent treatment with therapeutic hypothermia due to his diagnosis of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy or HIE. Infants with HIE have experienced a lack of oxygen to the brain either prior to birth, during the birth process, after birth, or during childhood. Infants with suspected HIE are treated in the NICU with therapeutic hypothermia or cooling that needs to be initiated within the first 6 hours of life. The cooling therapy reduces the rate of brain cell death and the risk of reperfusion injury which commonly occurs due to the release of toxins from the injured brain cells. The cooling process occurs for 72 hours post-delivery and has been shown to minimize the extent of death and disability in children. Brigid shares a more in depth look into William’s time in the NICU, and how they first learned about his diagnosis. She explains why they felt like they were outcasts in the NICU due to William being a term infant. Brigid shares the struggles they endured once they were discharged home and how she unknowingly was suffering from postpartum depression, perinatal mood disorder, and PTSD. We discuss ways it was helpful for her to work through her trauma and why she is so passionate about bringing awareness to the misconception that all NICU babies are preterm as well as the importance of focusing on maternal mental health. We thank Brigid for sharing her family’s very personal story. It is our goal to help bring awareness to HIE and to help break down some of the barriers and social disparities that exist with HIE infants and full-term NICU babies and strive for inclusive NICU messaging.Stay tuned, you will not want to miss their story…Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/Website: https://empoweringnicuparents.comEmpowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode29/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsPinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

For our 29th Podcast episode and to close out HIE Awareness month, I sat down with Brigid Janousek. She bravely shares the story of her son William's traumatic delivery and his subsequent treatment with therapeutic hypothermia due to his diagnosis of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy or HIE.  Infants with HIE have experienced a lack of oxygen to the brain either prior to birth, during the birth process, after birth, or during childhood. Infants with suspected HIE are treated in the NICU with therapeutic hypothermia or cooling that needs to be initiated within the first 6 hours of life. The cooling therapy reduces the rate of brain cell death and the risk of reperfusion injury which commonly occurs due to the release of toxins from the injured brain cells. The cooling process occurs for 72 hours post-delivery and has been shown to minimize the extent of death and disability in children.  Brigid shares a more in depth look into William’s time in the NICU, and how they first learned about his diagnosis. She explains why they felt like they were outcasts in the NICU due to William being a term infant. Brigid shares the struggles they endured once they were discharged home and how she unknowingly was suffering from postpartum depression, perinatal mood disorder, and PTSD. We discuss ways it was helpful for her to work through her trauma and why she is so passionate about bringing awareness to the misconception that all NICU babies are preterm as well as the importance of focusing on maternal mental health.  We thank Brigid for sharing her family’s very personal story. It is our goal to help bring awareness to HIE and to help break down some of the barriers and social disparities that exist with HIE infants and full-term NICU babies and strive for inclusive NICU messaging. Stay tuned, you will not want to miss their story… Our NICU Roadmap: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> Website: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode29/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode29/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Pinterest Page: <a href="https://pin.it/36MJjmH" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://pin.it/36MJjmH</a>

Life Beyond HIE: A Mother’s Journey of Growth and Giving Back

If you are a NICU Parent who either currently has a baby in the NICU, or a NICU graduate, this episode is for you! I recently presented at a NICU Leadership conference and spoke on the parental stressors common to NICU Parents and the trauma and PTSD often associated with it. I decided to share some portions of my speech with you due to its’ relevance to all NICU families. I want all NICU Parents to know that you are not alone and your feelings are common. By minimizing your experience or underplaying the trauma associated with it, it will prevent you from not only addressing it, but also being able to fully bond with and nurture your baby.  Any parent who has a baby in the NICU will experience stress and trauma regardless of the baby's diagnosis or the the length of time they spend in the NICU. Parents may be stressed and anxious about the size of their infant, all of the life-saving equipment surrounding them, due to the forced, unnatural separation from their baby, the guilt they experience, or due to all of the feelings of powerlessness and heartbreak they endure watching their fragile infant suffer. And sadly, it is very common for parents to not feel like parents once their baby is admitted to the NICU, which can negatively impact a parent’s ability to bond with and nurture their baby. If parental distress is not addressed and their involvement is not encouraged, it can create a negative compounding cascade of events. Tune in to hear how many of the feelings common to NICU parents can impact their mental health and ultimately affect their baby and their outcomes if not addressed. I close by offering recommendations to NICU Parents as someone who has walked the path as a NICU parent before you and definitely have some regrets in how I handled my trauma! Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/Website: https://empoweringnicuparents.comEmpowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode28/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsPinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

If you are a NICU Parent who either currently has a baby in the NICU, or a NICU graduate, this episode is for you! I recently presented at a NICU Leadership conference and spoke on the parental stressors common to NICU Parents and the trauma and PTSD often associated with it. I decided to share some portions of my speech with you due to its’ relevance to all NICU families. I want all NICU Parents to know that you are not alone and your feelings are common. By minimizing your experience or underplaying the trauma associated with it, it will prevent you from not only addressing it, but also being able to fully bond with and nurture your baby. Any parent who has a baby in the NICU will experience stress and trauma regardless of the baby's diagnosis or the the length of time they spend in the NICU. Parents may be stressed and anxious about the size of their infant, all of the life-saving equipment surrounding them, due to the forced, unnatural separation from their baby, the guilt they experience, or due to all of the feelings of powerlessness and heartbreak they endure watching their fragile infant suffer. And sadly, it is very common for parents to not feel like parents once their baby is admitted to the NICU, which can negatively impact a parent’s ability to bond with and nurture their baby.  If parental distress is not addressed and their involvement is not encouraged, it can create a negative compounding cascade of events. Tune in to hear how many of the feelings common to NICU parents can impact their mental health and ultimately affect their baby and their outcomes if not addressed. I close by offering recommendations to NICU Parents as someone who has walked the path as a NICU parent before you and definitely have some regrets in how I handled my trauma!  Our NICU Roadmap: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> Website: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode28/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode28/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Pinterest Page: <a href="https://pin.it/36MJjmH" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://pin.it/36MJjmH</a>

Parental Stress and Trauma in the NICU

If your baby is currently in the NICU, and you are doubting the importance of your role as a parent, this podcast episode is for you! I hope as NICU parents you have been educated on the importance of your involvement with your baby - even while they are in the NICU! Parental engagement in the NICU has a plethora of benefits and not just for your baby, but for you as parents as well! Although as a NICU parent, you may feel completely powerless, you need to remember that you play a major role in the success of your baby by being present and simply loving on them! In the NICU, we cannot have positive outcomes for our infants without empowering and involving the parents! This is not meant to put additional pressure on you, but to simply remind you of your worth! Please realize that your role as a parent is incredibly important, even in the NICU! Our guest, Katie Ross, is a Neonatal Occupational Therapist. She is very passionate about positively fostering the development of our specialized NICU population from the earliest stage of life. We continued our conversation on infant mental health and how it can be positively affected by parental involvement. After I had my son William at 23 weeks, it has become even more apparent to me just how important parental engagement is for NICU babies. Not only do we both believe in the power of parental participation, but research has shown that when parents are present, they do skin-to-skin care, begin to respond to their infant’s cues, and learn to care for their own baby, it results in positive short and long-term outcomes for the baby. Tune in to learn how parental involvement is so impactful. Once you recognize the importance of your role as a parent to your NICU baby, your anxiety and stress will decrease, it will enhance your ability to bond with your baby, promote continued engagement, and ultimately result in positive developmental outcomes for your baby! Yes, you as a parent can actually positively change the trajectory of your infant’s developmental outcomes by being present, learning and responding to your infant’s cues, and by giving them the love they need!Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/Website: https://empoweringnicuparents.comEmpowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode27/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsPinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

If your baby is currently in the NICU, and you are doubting the importance of your role as a parent, this podcast episode is for you! I hope as NICU parents you have been educated on the importance of your involvement with your baby - even while they are in the NICU! Parental engagement in the NICU has a plethora of benefits and not just for your baby, but for you as parents as well!  Although as a NICU parent, you may feel completely powerless, you need to remember that you play a major role in the success of your baby by being present and simply loving on them! In the NICU, we cannot have positive outcomes for our infants without empowering and involving the parents! This is not meant to put additional pressure on you, but to simply remind you of your worth! Please realize that your role as a parent is incredibly important, even in the NICU! Our guest, Katie Ross, is a Neonatal Occupational Therapist. She is very passionate about positively fostering the development of our specialized NICU population from the earliest stage of life.  We continued our conversation on infant mental health and how it can be positively affected by parental involvement. After I had my son William at 23 weeks, it has become even more apparent to me just how important parental engagement is for NICU babies. Not only do we both believe in the power of parental participation, but research has shown that when parents are present, they do skin-to-skin care, begin to respond to their infant’s cues, and learn to care for their own baby, it results in positive short and long-term outcomes for the baby. Tune in to learn how parental involvement is so impactful. Once you recognize the importance of your role as a parent to your NICU baby, your anxiety and stress will decrease, it will enhance your ability to bond with your baby, promote continued engagement, and ultimately result in positive developmental outcomes for your baby! Yes, you as a parent can actually positively change the trajectory of your infant’s developmental outcomes by being present, learning and responding to your infant’s cues, and by giving them the love they need! Our NICU Roadmap: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> Website: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode27/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode27/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Pinterest Page: <a href="https://pin.it/36MJjmH" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://pin.it/36MJjmH</a>

The Positive Effects of Parental Engagement in the NICU

Have you ever heard the term infant mental health? On this podcast episode, we discuss how you, as a parent or caregiver of an infant, can positively shape and support a baby’s early social and emotional skills so they are able to build long-lasting connections in the future! You will not want to miss this episode if you are a NICU parent or member of the NICU care team - it is one of my favorite episodes we’ve done so far!On today’s podcast, I am joined by Katie Ross, a Certified Neonatal Occupational Therapist. She is very passionate about positively fostering the development of our specialized NICU population from the earliest stage of life. We discuss infant mental health, what it actually means, and how it applies to our high risk NICU population. We as NICU caregivers in close collaboration with the parents have the ability to positively change the trajectory of the developmental outcomes for our NICU babies. Katie and I are both very passionate about parental involvement and engagement. Together, we discuss tips and offer words of encouragement for parents and NICU care team members on ways we can support, educate, and empower NICU parents to become actively engaged in their infant’s daily cares including skin-to-skin care!The theme we focus on is simplicity! Plain and simple, parents of a NICU baby need to be involved, they are the therapy for their infant! Tune in to learn ways we can all work together to foster and encourage parental support and involvement! Studies have shown that parental engagement actually influences the neurobiology of the infant’s brain and promotes physiological changes in the parents as well - meaning, with parental contact during skin-to-skin care, levels of oxytocin increase which reduces stress and facilitates increased feelings of comfort and attachment, and leads to positive physiological stability in both the baby and the parents! So please, do not underestimate your role as parents, even if your baby is in the NICU! Continue listening as we educate, guide and empower you to work through your grief, trauma, and fear so you can simply love on your baby. Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/Website: https://empoweringnicuparents.comEmpowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode26Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsPinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

Have you ever heard the term infant mental health? On this podcast episode, we discuss how you, as a parent or caregiver of an infant, can positively shape and support a baby’s early social and emotional skills so they are able to build long-lasting connections in the future! You will not want to miss this episode if you are a NICU parent or member of the NICU care team - it is one of my favorite episodes we’ve done so far! On today’s podcast, I am joined by Katie Ross, a Certified Neonatal Occupational Therapist. She is very passionate about positively fostering the development of our specialized NICU population from the earliest stage of life.  We discuss infant mental health, what it actually means, and how it applies to our high risk NICU population. We as NICU caregivers in close collaboration with the parents have the ability to positively change the trajectory of the developmental outcomes for our NICU babies. Katie and I are both very passionate about parental involvement and engagement. Together, we discuss tips and offer words of encouragement for parents and NICU care team members on ways we can support, educate, and empower NICU parents to become actively engaged in their infant’s daily cares including skin-to-skin care! The theme we focus on is simplicity! Plain and simple, parents of a NICU baby need to be involved, they are the therapy for their infant! Tune in to learn ways we can all work together to foster and encourage parental support and involvement! Studies have shown that parental engagement actually influences the neurobiology of the infant’s brain and promotes physiological changes in the parents as well - meaning, with parental contact during skin-to-skin care, levels of oxytocin increase which reduces stress and facilitates increased feelings of comfort and attachment, and leads to positive physiological stability in both the baby and the parents! So please, do not underestimate your role as parents, even if your baby is in the NICU! Continue listening as we educate, guide and empower you to work through your grief, trauma, and fear so you can simply love on your baby.  Our NICU Roadmap: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> Website: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode26" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode26</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Pinterest Page: <a href="https://pin.it/36MJjmH" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://pin.it/36MJjmH</a>

Supporting Infant Mental Health in the NICU

Did you know that not only is it okay to read to your NICU baby, but that it is strongly recommended? In our 25th Podcast episode, I review all of the benefits of reading to your baby while they are in the NICU as well as tips for success! In the first few months of an infant’s life, their language and speech areas grow exponentially in their brain. But, for our babies in the NICU, many of them not only miss out on months of intrauterine language exposure that promotes normal development, but they also spend those formative months amongst the stressful NICU environment. So how can we expose our NICU infants to oral language that positively promotes neurodevelopmental outcomes? We need to read to them out loud on a daily basis! NICU infants who have been read to out loud to on a daily basis have shown enhanced language and literacy outcomes at 2 years of age. Plus, for us mothers, our babies know our voice the very best, and research has shown that babies become more alert and exhibit a positive response when they hear their mother talking, singing, or reading out loud. Not only does reading benefit the baby, but it also improves parent-child bonding, promotes parental empowerment, and decreases parental stress. Please tune in to learn all of the benefits of reading out loud to your infant, as well as tips on how to be successful, plus learn about an opportunity to win a FREE set of children’s books! It is time to pick up your favorite book and start reading to your little one in the NICU! Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/For a chance to win a set of FREE Children’s Books: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/booksEmpowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode25Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsWebsite Link: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode25

Did you know that not only is it okay to read to your NICU baby, but that it is strongly recommended? In our 25th Podcast episode, I review all of the benefits of reading to your baby while they are in the NICU as well as tips for success! In the first few months of an infant’s life, their language and speech areas grow exponentially in their brain. But, for our babies in the NICU, many of them not only miss out on months of intrauterine language exposure that promotes normal development, but they also spend those formative months amongst the stressful NICU environment. So how can we expose our NICU infants to oral language that positively promotes neurodevelopmental outcomes? We need to read to them out loud on a daily basis! NICU infants who have been read to out loud to on a daily basis have shown enhanced language and literacy outcomes at 2 years of age. Plus, for us mothers, our babies know our voice the very best, and research has shown that babies become more alert and exhibit a positive response when they hear their mother talking, singing, or reading out loud. Not only does reading benefit the baby, but it also improves parent-child bonding, promotes parental empowerment, and decreases parental stress. Please tune in to learn all of the benefits of reading out loud to your infant, as well as tips on how to be successful, plus learn about an opportunity to win a FREE set of children’s books! It is time to pick up your favorite book and start reading to your little one in the NICU! Our NICU Roadmap: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> For a chance to win a set of FREE Children’s Books: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/books" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/books</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode25" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode25</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Website Link: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode25" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode25</a>

The Benefits of Reading to Your Baby in the NICU

If you are getting ready to bring your baby home from the NICU or you have a child who has complex medical needs, this episode is for you! Being a parent is difficult, but when you have a sick child or one that requires extensive medical care, therapies, and appointments, it can dramatically change your life and that of your family. Today we continue to spotlight some of the difficulties, stresses, and struggles of parents who have children with complex medical needs. We discuss the importance of parents working with a professional therapist to work through their grief and trauma. We review how crucial self-care is but discuss the need for it to be adaptable to your family’s lifestyle and to recognize that “chronically ill children have chronically stressed parents.” Tune in to listen as my guest, Alissa MacDonald bravely shares personal experience, knowledge, and advice as a mother of a child with complex medical needs.Alissa and her husband Matt became foster parents and they ultimately adopted Tegan, a former 24 weeker who spent months in the NICU. And sadly, since his discharge from the NICU, he has been ridden with multiple complications, several life threatening scares, PICU admissions, and debilitating diagnoses including but not limited to reactive airway, cerebral palsy and autism. We discuss the importance of finding a therapist and how they can help you cope and work through your trauma. Alissa identifies ways that parents of chronically ill children can participate in adaptable self care and she speaks to the importance of finding the right support group or community that fulfills you. We also discuss how difficult it can be when your significant other processes trauma and stress differently than you. But most importantly, we share that as a parent of a child with complex medical needs that it’s simply okay to say, that you’re not okay. Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/For a chance to win a FREE NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournalEmpowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode24Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsWebsite Link: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode24

If you are getting ready to bring your baby home from the NICU or you have a child who has complex medical needs, this episode is for you! Being a parent is difficult, but when you have a sick child or one that requires extensive medical care, therapies, and appointments, it can dramatically change your life and that of your family. Today we continue to spotlight some of the difficulties, stresses, and struggles of parents who have children with complex medical needs. We discuss the importance of parents working with a professional therapist to work through their grief and trauma. We review how crucial self-care is but discuss the need for it to be adaptable to your family’s lifestyle and to recognize that “chronically ill children have chronically stressed parents.” Tune in to listen as my guest, Alissa MacDonald bravely shares personal experience, knowledge, and advice as a mother of a child with complex medical needs. Alissa and her husband Matt became foster parents and they ultimately adopted Tegan, a former 24 weeker who spent months in the NICU. And sadly, since his discharge from the NICU, he has been ridden with multiple complications, several life threatening scares, PICU admissions, and debilitating diagnoses including but not limited to reactive airway, cerebral palsy and autism. We discuss the importance of finding a therapist and how they can help you cope and work through your trauma. Alissa identifies ways that parents of chronically ill children can participate in adaptable self care and she speaks to the importance of finding the right support group or community that fulfills you. We also discuss how difficult it can be when your significant other processes trauma and stress differently than you. But most importantly, we share that as a parent of a child with complex medical needs that it’s simply okay to say, that you’re not okay.  Our NICU Roadmap: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> For a chance to win a FREE NICU Journal: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournal" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournal</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode24" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode24</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Website Link: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode24" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode24</a>

Life After NICU With a Medically Complex Child: What is the Reality? Part II

For NICU Parents, the day they are able to bring their baby home is unforgettable. Many parents have spent weeks and months traveling to the NICU to see their baby and have endured a large amount of stress, worry, and concern each day as they watched their baby fight against so many obstacles. So when parents hear that they are able to take their baby home, they are so thrilled that many underestimate the challenges they will face at home. For many NICU babies, their complex medical journey does not end once they exit the NICU doors. Sadly, not only do their medical needs continue, but it may actually feel more overwhelming for the parents at home due to new equipment and less resources being available.  Despite all of the coaching and empowerment provided by the NICU, the time at home with a NICU graduate may be more challenging than parents anticipated. And unfortunately, there really is not a proper way to fully prepare NICU parents for the days, months, and sometimes years that follow their discharge, especially for children with complex medical needs. For this podcast episode, I sat down with a former NICU Mama, Alissa MacDonald who shares her family’s trials and triumphs as they have navigated through their post NICU days with their son, Tegan, a former 24-weeker. She shares what she has learned along the way and she wants to emphasize to parents that it’s okay to not be okay. Despite both Alissa and her husband Matt being medically trained and prepared for a foster child with medical needs, they were not aware of the monumental impact Tegan would have on their lives as they previously knew it. Alissa speaks frankly on the challenges they have faced and how important mental health, support from family and friends, and making their marriage a priority has been. Alissa reflects on how even as a NICU nurse, their days at home with Tegan were very different from what she had envisioned. She now admits that they were not at all prepared for the mental and physical toll it would have on her and their entire family. We discuss how it is not unusual for former NICU parents to feel overwhelmed, unprepared, angry, and alone in their post-NICU journey. Alissa touches on how important it is to find the right community and support system so parents do not feel alone in their journey as well as tangible ways friends and family can help support parents while they are in the NICU, PICU, or at home to ease their journey. Stay tuned to hear their remarkable story and one that many NICU parents need to hear so they know that they are not alone in their journey. Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/For a chance to win a FREE NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournalEmpowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode23Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsiTunes: Empowering NICU Parents Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowering-nicu-parents-podcast/id1551624574

For NICU Parents, the day they are able to bring their baby home is unforgettable. Many parents have spent weeks and months traveling to the NICU to see their baby and have endured a large amount of stress, worry, and concern each day as they watched their baby fight against so many obstacles. So when parents hear that they are able to take their baby home, they are so thrilled that many underestimate the challenges they will face at home. For many NICU babies, their complex medical journey does not end once they exit the NICU doors. Sadly, not only do their medical needs continue, but it may actually feel more overwhelming for the parents at home due to new equipment and less resources being available. Despite all of the coaching and empowerment provided by the NICU, the time at home with a NICU graduate may be more challenging than parents anticipated. And unfortunately, there really is not a proper way to fully prepare NICU parents for the days, months, and sometimes years that follow their discharge, especially for children with complex medical needs.  For this podcast episode, I sat down with a former NICU Mama, Alissa MacDonald who shares her family’s trials and triumphs as they have navigated through their post NICU days with their son, Tegan, a former 24-weeker. She shares what she has learned along the way and she wants to emphasize to parents that it’s okay to not be okay. Despite both Alissa and her husband Matt being medically trained and prepared for a foster child with medical needs, they were not aware of the monumental impact Tegan would have on their lives as they previously knew it. Alissa speaks frankly on the challenges they have faced and how important mental health, support from family and friends, and making their marriage a priority has been. Alissa reflects on how even as a NICU nurse, their days at home with Tegan were very different from what she had envisioned. She now admits that they were not at all prepared for the mental and physical toll it would have on her and their entire family. We discuss how it is not unusual for former NICU parents to feel overwhelmed, unprepared, angry, and alone in their post-NICU journey. Alissa touches on how important it is to find the right community and support system so parents do not feel alone in their journey as well as tangible ways friends and family can help support parents while they are in the NICU, PICU, or at home to ease their journey.  Stay tuned to hear their remarkable story and one that many NICU parents need to hear so they know that they are not alone in their journey.  Our NICU Roadmap: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> For a chance to win a FREE NICU Journal: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournal" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournal</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode23" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode23</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> iTunes: Empowering NICU Parents Podcast <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowering-nicu-parents-podcast/id1551624574" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowering-nicu-parents-podcast/id1551624574</a>

Life After NICU With a Medically Complex Child: What is the Reality?

Is your baby currently in the NICU? Was your baby born prematurely? Or is your term baby in the NICU for high jaundice levels, low blood sugars, or because they have some Respiratory Distress and need oxygen or additional support? Are you wondering what in the heck is a small baby unit or kangaroo care? Why do NICUs use donor breast milk and what on earth does RDS, BPD, IVH, NEC, ETT, CPAP, HFNC, UVC, UAC, po, ng, NEC, ABG, CBG, CBC, and CMP stand for? Are you asking yourself how will we ever get through this, what questions should I even ask, and when will my baby come home? If you are a NICU parent who is scared, nervous, unsure, and full of questions, then hit the subscribe button so you do not miss another show!Welcome to the "Empowering NICU Parents Podcast" where we will answer ALL of these questions and SO MUCH more! Your host, Nicole Nyberg is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with years of NICU experience - but she also brings her unique perspective to this podcast as a mother of a 23-weeker. Along with sharing answers to the NICU medical questions you have, Nicole addresses and supports you through the incredibly difficult emotional struggles that only a NICU parent can understand. She provides you with knowledge plus tangible tips to guide, educate, empower, and support you through your baby's NICU journey and once they are home. Tune in to hear from someone who knows exactly what you're going through, another NICU Mama. Check out all of our show notes and additional information at empoweringnicuparents.com

Our NICU Journal called Our NICU Roadmap has officially been published! My vision for this journal stemmed from the lack of a comprehensive NICU journal available when our son was in the NICU. I wanted to develop a journal that not only was a great resource for parents, but also served as a place for you as parents to document your baby’s progress each day while in the NICU. As a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, I had the medical knowledge and experience on my side during our son’s NICU journey, so I knew the questions to ask our son’s NICU care team, but I felt there was not an appropriate place to document it all. Our NICU Roadmap equips and guides NICU parents with resources, information and questions to ask so you can stay actively involved in your baby’s daily care. In today’s podcast we spotlight my favorite part of the journal, the daily log. As any NICU parent knows, there are new changes that occur daily in the NICU. Personally, I wanted to document all of those changes, not just as a keepsake, but because I wanted to keep track of all of our son’s daily weight gains or losses, lab results, ventilator changes, feedings, who cared for him each day, how I felt, the plan of care plus so much more!I created the daily log so you as parents not only had a place to document your baby’s daily updates, but also to help guide you with questions we believe you should be asking the NICU care team each day! Today I GIVE you all of the questions and topics I believe NICU Parents should either ask or know so you can stay actively involved in your baby’s daily progress and plan of care. Our NICU Roadmap guides and equips you as NICU Parents with knowledge and questions to ask throughout your baby’s NICU journey. Each day, you will not only see your baby’s daily progression, but you will also know to ask if they had a blood gas or labs that day? Or what changes will be made on their respiratory support. Once you begin to understand more each day, and I promise that you will, your confidence will build which will continue to encourage your daily involvement with your baby and make you feel more like a parent! I want you to stay actively involved and not just become a member of your baby’s care team, but the most integral member! Our daily log will also allow you to see all of the small and large steps of progression your baby is making each day which is so important! Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint! Amazon Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Our-NICU-Roadmap-Practitioner-Adventure/dp/B09JY83G5D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3N0XBBV5WA469&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=our+nicu+roadmap&amp;qid=1635434174&amp;sprefix=our+nicu+roadmap%2Caps%2C181&amp;sr=8-1Our NICU Roadmap: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/For a chance to win a FREE NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournalEmpowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode22Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsWebsite Link: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode22iTunes link: Empowering NICU Parents PodcastSpeaker: https://www.spreaker.com/user/11522443/episode22-final

Our NICU Journal called Our NICU Roadmap has officially been published! My vision for this journal stemmed from the lack of a comprehensive NICU journal available when our son was in the NICU. I wanted to develop a journal that not only was a great resource for parents, but also served as a place for you as parents to document your baby’s progress each day while in the NICU.  As a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, I had the medical knowledge and experience on my side during our son’s NICU journey, so I knew the questions to ask our son’s NICU care team, but I felt there was not an appropriate place to document it all. Our NICU Roadmap equips and guides NICU parents with resources, information and questions to ask so you can stay actively involved in your baby’s daily care. In today’s podcast we spotlight my favorite part of the journal, the daily log. As any NICU parent knows, there are new changes that occur daily in the NICU. Personally, I wanted to document all of those changes, not just as a keepsake, but because I wanted to keep track of all of our son’s daily weight gains or losses, lab results, ventilator changes, feedings, who cared for him each day, how I felt, the plan of care plus so much more! I created the daily log so you as parents not only had a place to document your baby’s daily updates, but also to help guide you with questions we believe you should be asking the NICU care team each day! Today I GIVE you all of the questions and topics I believe NICU Parents should either ask or know so you can stay actively involved in your baby’s daily progress and plan of care. Our NICU Roadmap guides and equips you as NICU Parents with knowledge and questions to ask throughout your baby’s NICU journey. Each day, you will not only see your baby’s daily progression, but you will also know to ask if they had a blood gas or labs that day? Or what changes will be made on their respiratory support. Once you begin to understand more each day, and I promise that you will, your confidence will build which will continue to encourage your daily involvement with your baby and make you feel more like a parent! I want you to stay actively involved and not just become a member of your baby’s care team, but the most integral member! Our daily log will also allow you to see all of the small and large steps of progression your baby is making each day which is so important! Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint!  Amazon Link to purchase: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Our-NICU-Roadmap-Practitioner-Adventure/dp/B09JY83G5D/ref" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Our-NICU-Roadmap-Practitioner-Adventure/dp/B09JY83G5D/ref</a>=sr_1_1?crid=3N0XBBV5WA469&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=our+nicu+roadmap&amp;qid=1635434174&amp;sprefix=our+nicu+roadmap%2Caps%2C181&amp;sr=8-1 Our NICU Roadmap: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/</a> For a chance to win a FREE NICU Journal: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournal" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/freejournal</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode22" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode22</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Website Link: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode22" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode22</a> iTunes link: Empowering NICU Parents Podcast Speaker: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/user/11522443/episode22-final" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.spreaker.com/user/11522443/episode22-final</a>

Questions Parents Should Ask Their Baby’s NICU Care Team Each Day

Are you suffering from trauma after your baby or babies spent time in the NICU? Have you brushed off symptoms of trauma or PTSD? How could you suffer from PTSD when your baby only spent a few days in the NICU? Trauma is the result from an upsetting experience. That is it. It results from any experience that is disturbing and overwhelms your ability to cope. There is not a definitive scope that defines trauma. I used to minimize my trauma after my stressful pregnancy, our son’s emergent delivery, and his time in the NICU because despite being severely premature, we were able to bring him home and he was healthy. How could that be traumatic when so many other NICU parents were unable to bring their babies home or their children had such complex medical needs. Why was I struggling on certain days at home or professionally when I had such an amazing blessing and miracle right in front of me? But, no one can define my trauma, just as I cannot define yours. If your experience was less than ideal, that can affect you for years to come if it is not dealt with appropriately. Jessica, a mother of 33 weeks and I discuss how although her boys did not have any major setbacks while they were in the NICU, the experience was difficult for her. The anticipated delivery of her boys, the immediate time thereafter, and not bringing them home right away has continued to affect her. After listening, you will realize that trauma may look different for everyone. The ability to identify and cope through NICU trauma is an evolving and personal process. We help you to identify symptoms of trauma and to remind you that you are not alone. Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode21Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsWebsite Link: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode21iTunes link: Empowering NICU Parents Podcast

Are you suffering from trauma after your baby or babies spent time in the NICU? Have you brushed off symptoms of trauma or PTSD? How could you suffer from PTSD when your baby only spent a few days in the NICU? Trauma is the result from an upsetting experience. That is it. It results from any experience that is disturbing and overwhelms your ability to cope. There is not a definitive scope that defines trauma.  I used to minimize my trauma after my stressful pregnancy, our son’s emergent delivery, and his time in the NICU because despite being severely premature, we were able to bring him home and he was healthy. How could that be traumatic when so many other NICU parents were unable to bring their babies home or their children had such complex medical needs. Why was I struggling on certain days at home or professionally when I had such an amazing blessing and miracle right in front of me? But, no one can define my trauma, just as I cannot define yours. If your experience was less than ideal, that can affect you for years to come if it is not dealt with appropriately.  Jessica, a mother of 33 weeks and I discuss how although her boys did not have any major setbacks while they were in the NICU, the experience was difficult for her. The anticipated delivery of her boys, the immediate time thereafter, and not bringing them home right away has continued to affect her. After listening, you will realize that trauma may look different for everyone. The ability to identify and cope through NICU trauma is an evolving and personal process. We help you to identify symptoms of trauma and to remind you that you are not alone. Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode21" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode21</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Website Link: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode21" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode21</a> iTunes link: Empowering NICU Parents Podcast

NICU Trauma - How Well Are You Coping?

If you are a NICU parent and in the midst of your baby’s NICU journey, you must listen to this episode. This episode features great advice, tips, suggestions, and encouragement from former NICU Moms that you must hear! Although the tips are mostly from mothers of multiples, any NICU parent will benefit from what they have to share! Whether you are a seasoned NICU parent or brand new in your journey, you will want to listen to what those that have gone before you have to share! I believe we can all learn a great deal from those who have previously endured a similar experience prior to us. No one quite understands the NICU experience unless they have endured it themselves, and it especially applies to those parents who have had more than one infant in the NICU at the same time! I love how NICU families are so willing to share their advice, support, and encouragement with other families. It continues to show me what an amazing community I am proud to be a part of. The advice they offered was too valuable to not share. There were many common suggestions given by these mothers that you must hear. After listening, your perspective and how you move forward through your baby’s NICU journey will be different.  Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode20Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsWebsite Link: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode20iTunes link: Empowering NICU Parents PodcastTop Tips for NICU Parents: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/toptips/

If you are a NICU parent and in the midst of your baby’s NICU journey, you must listen to this episode. This episode features great advice, tips, suggestions, and encouragement from former NICU Moms that you must hear! Although the tips are mostly from mothers of multiples, any NICU parent will benefit from what they have to share! Whether you are a seasoned NICU parent or brand new in your journey, you will want to listen to what those that have gone before you have to share!  I believe we can all learn a great deal from those who have previously endured a similar experience prior to us. No one quite understands the NICU experience unless they have endured it themselves, and it especially applies to those parents who have had more than one infant in the NICU at the same time! I love how NICU families are so willing to share their advice, support, and encouragement with other families. It continues to show me what an amazing community I am proud to be a part of. The advice they offered was too valuable to not share. There were many common suggestions given by these mothers that you must hear. After listening, your perspective and how you move forward through your baby’s NICU journey will be different. Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode20" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode20</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Website Link: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode20" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode20</a> iTunes link: Empowering NICU Parents Podcast Top Tips for NICU Parents: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/toptips/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/toptips/</a>

Advice for Current NICU Parents From Mothers of Multiples

What does IDM stand for? In the medical world, IDM is an acronym for Infant of Diabetic Mother. In this episode, we review the common complications associated with Infants of Diabetic Mothers. You may be surprised to hear that there are several complications beyond hypoglycemia or low blood sugars including but not limited to macrosomia, asphyxia, small for gestational age, respiratory distress, cardiac anomalies, neurological impairments, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Plus IDM infants are also at an increased risk for a preterm delivery and/or a cesarean section delivery due to their risk of complications later during the pregnancy or potentially larger size. Not only will we break down the potential complications the IDM infant is at risk for one-by-one, but we also discuss the pathophysiology behind each diagnosis as well as the typical treatment plan for each complication. If you are currently pregnant and have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or had pre existing diabetes, this episode is for you! Or if you just had your baby and had diabetes with the pregnancy, this episode will provide you some great education. Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode19/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsWebsite Link: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode19/

What does IDM stand for? In the medical world, IDM is an acronym for Infant of Diabetic Mother. In this episode, we review the common complications associated with Infants of Diabetic Mothers. You may be surprised to hear that there are several complications beyond hypoglycemia or low blood sugars including but not limited to macrosomia, asphyxia, small for gestational age, respiratory distress, cardiac anomalies, neurological impairments, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Plus IDM infants are also at an increased risk for a preterm delivery and/or a cesarean section delivery due to their risk of complications later during the pregnancy or potentially larger size. Not only will we break down the potential complications the IDM infant is at risk for one-by-one, but we also discuss the pathophysiology behind each diagnosis as well as the typical treatment plan for each complication. If you are currently pregnant and have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or had pre existing diabetes, this episode is for you! Or if you just had your baby and had diabetes with the pregnancy, this episode will provide you some great education. Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode19/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode19/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Website Link: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode19/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode19/</a>

Infant of Diabetic Mother: What are the potential complications and typical treatment plan?

Who is at risk for gestational diabetes? How is it diagnosed? If I have gestational diabetes, how will it affect my pregnancy and my baby? What is the best way to manage my blood sugars? Will my baby be more likely to have diabetes in the future? How will it affect future pregnancies moving forward? We answer these questions plus so much more in this podcast! We start by discussing diabetes mellitus and compare the different types. We review the pathophysiology of diabetes in a way that will make sense to everyone. We then breakdown more about gestational diabetes, how it is diagnosed, at what point your provider will typically test for it, what the test entails, which women are at an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes and the general management to expect.We touch on the additional risks gestational diabetes may pose to the mother’s health followed by a review of the risks for the fetus while in utero and the baby at delivery. To close out this episode, we review some common feelings women with gestational diabetes experience and what providers and members of the care team can do to ease those feelings to ultimately optimize all of the outcomes for the mother and infant! The podcast episode is meant to serve as an adjunctive educational piece to summarize how gestational diabetes is diagnosed and how appropriate management does ultimately affect the mother’s health and that of her fetus. With a healthy collaboration between the healthcare provider and patient, mothers can feel supported and empowered as opposed to frightened and stigmatized leading to the most optimal outcomes for the mother and infant. Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode18/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsWebsite Link: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode18/

Who is at risk for gestational diabetes? How is it diagnosed? If I have gestational diabetes, how will it affect my pregnancy and my baby? What is the best way to manage my blood sugars? Will my baby be more likely to have diabetes in the future? How will it affect future pregnancies moving forward?  We answer these questions plus so much more in this podcast! We start by discussing diabetes mellitus and compare the different types. We review the pathophysiology of diabetes in a way that will make sense to everyone. We then breakdown more about gestational diabetes, how it is diagnosed, at what point your provider will typically test for it, what the test entails, which women are at an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes and the general management to expect. We touch on the additional risks gestational diabetes may pose to the mother’s health followed by a review of the risks for the fetus while in utero and the baby at delivery. To close out this episode, we review some common feelings women with gestational diabetes experience and what providers and members of the care team can do to ease those feelings to ultimately optimize all of the outcomes for the mother and infant!  The podcast episode is meant to serve as an adjunctive educational piece to summarize how gestational diabetes is diagnosed and how appropriate management does ultimately affect the mother’s health and that of her fetus. With a healthy collaboration between the healthcare provider and patient, mothers can feel supported and empowered as opposed to frightened and stigmatized leading to the most optimal outcomes for the mother and infant. Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode18/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode18/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Website Link: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode18/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode18/</a>

Gestational Diabetes: From diagnosis in pregnancy to blood sugar management and its effect on the health of the mother and infant

If you are a current or former NICU parent, you will want to listen to this episode. There are so many pieces of information you receive as a NICU parent while your baby is in the NICU and it continues once you bring your baby home. Tune in to hear great recommendations on how to best advocate and help your child while they are in the NICU and especially once they are home to optimize their neurodevelopmental outcomes! For our 17th podcast episode, I continued my discussion with Tracey Kondrasuk-Branker a certified Neonatal Occupational Therapist who has over 22 years of experience with children from birth to 3 years. In this episode, Tracey explains why she started her early developmental online consulting company. We discuss the importance of providing parents with resources and trying to bridge the common gap for NICU families between their time in the NICU and their transition to home.  For NICU patients, their follow-up appointments are vital to their long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Appropriate follow-ups also help NICU infants achieve all of their developmental milestones. We also discuss the importance of finding appropriate support groups as well as other local, state and national programs that will ensure children receive the best care possible and that all parents feel supported. We provide names of some of the trustworthy NICU support groups currently available that will help parents with the common parental feelings of fear, anxiety, and loneliness that occur once they bring their NICU infants home. We also review how imperative it is that if a parent feels that there is an issues that is not being addressed properly, to never stop advocating for them as well as steps you can take to get the help they need! Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode17/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparentsWebsite Link: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode17/

If you are a current or former NICU parent, you will want to listen to this episode. There are so many pieces of information you receive as a NICU parent while your baby is in the NICU and it continues once you bring your baby home. Tune in to hear great recommendations on how to best advocate and help your child while they are in the NICU and especially once they are home to optimize their neurodevelopmental outcomes!  For our 17th podcast episode, I continued my discussion with Tracey Kondrasuk-Branker a certified Neonatal Occupational Therapist who has over 22 years of experience with children from birth to 3 years. In this episode, Tracey explains why she started her early developmental online consulting company. We discuss the importance of providing parents with resources and trying to bridge the common gap for NICU families between their time in the NICU and their transition to home. For NICU patients, their follow-up appointments are vital to their long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Appropriate follow-ups also help NICU infants achieve all of their developmental milestones. We also discuss the importance of finding appropriate support groups as well as other local, state and national programs that will ensure children receive the best care possible and that all parents feel supported. We provide names of some of the trustworthy NICU support groups currently available that will help parents with the common parental feelings of fear, anxiety, and loneliness that occur once they bring their NICU infants home.  We also review how imperative it is that if a parent feels that there is an issues that is not being addressed properly, to never stop advocating for them as well as steps you can take to get the help they need! Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode17/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode17/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a> Website Link: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode17/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode17/</a>

Optimizing Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in NICU Patients with Occupational Therapy - Part II

Our 16th podcast episode focuses on the positive neonatal neurodevelopment outcomes that occur when there is close collaboration and team work with the NICU care team and therapy services.  The podcast features, Tracey Kondrasuk-Brander, a certified neonatal and early intervention occupational therapist. She explains the all-important role of the occupational therapist in the NICU and why it is so crucial for premature and critically ill infants to receive therapy while they are in the NICU as well as once they are discharged home. Tracey and I discuss the importance of developmentally appropriate care for infants including proper positioning of infants in the NICU, two-person care, small baby units, and a team work approach. Tracey explains how developmentally-supportive positioning for NICU infants helps to minimize their pain and place them into a calm state despite all of the NICU overstimulation they experience on a daily basis. She reviews the importance of positioning infants in a flexed, midline position and how it ultimately improves their long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. We discussed the importance of providing continual education to the parents regarding their infants development, proper positioning, developmental care, and range of motion activities while their infant is in the NICU. In preparation for discharge, the education for parents should shift to specific activities to focus on at home to continually support their infant’s development.  Lastly, we break down the difference between an infant’s chronological or actual age versus their corrected gestational age (CGA) or adjusted age and how to calculate it. We discuss why an accurate understanding of the infant’s CGA plays such an important role in the parental expectations of and the infant’s ability to achieve each of their developmental milestones. Tracey has over 20 years of experience with NICU infants and she is very passionate about her work within our special NICU population. I know you will learn some valuable information from our discussion! Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode15/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents

Our 16th podcast episode focuses on the positive neonatal neurodevelopment outcomes that occur when there is close collaboration and team work with the NICU care team and therapy services. The podcast features, Tracey Kondrasuk-Brander, a certified neonatal and early intervention occupational therapist. She explains the all-important role of the occupational therapist in the NICU and why it is so crucial for premature and critically ill infants to receive therapy while they are in the NICU as well as once they are discharged home.  Tracey and I discuss the importance of developmentally appropriate care for infants including proper positioning of infants in the NICU, two-person care, small baby units, and a team work approach. Tracey explains how developmentally-supportive positioning for NICU infants helps to minimize their pain and place them into a calm state despite all of the NICU overstimulation they experience on a daily basis. She reviews the importance of positioning infants in a flexed, midline position and how it ultimately improves their long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.  We discussed the importance of providing continual education to the parents regarding their infants development, proper positioning, developmental care, and range of motion activities while their infant is in the NICU. In preparation for discharge, the education for parents should shift to specific activities to focus on at home to continually support their infant’s development. Lastly, we break down the difference between an infant’s chronological or actual age versus their corrected gestational age (CGA) or adjusted age and how to calculate it. We discuss why an accurate understanding of the infant’s CGA plays such an important role in the parental expectations of and the infant’s ability to achieve each of their developmental milestones.  Tracey has over 20 years of experience with NICU infants and she is very passionate about her work within our special NICU population. I know you will learn some valuable information from our discussion! Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode15/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode15/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a>

Optimizing Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in NICU Patients with Occupational Therapy

In our episode, we continue our discussion on kangaroo care by addressing some of the common barriers to kangaroo care and why it may not always be encouraged sooner. We review ways to minimize some of the common obstacles NICUs encounter that may prevent daily kangaroo care for parents. We discuss the assessment for readiness of the infant, parents, and unit for daily skin-to-skin care followed by a review of common limiting factors that may prevent an infant from being able to do kangaroo care due their clinical condition and/or lines and equipment. Finally, I review step-by-step guides for kangaroo care including how to prepare each time and the different transfer methods commonly used. Finally, I offer my top tip on how to pump while doing kangaroo care so it does not inhibit your time to hold your baby skin-to-skin. So get ready and let’s continue our discussion on kangaroo care in the NICU!Grab your free graphics that correlate with the episode at: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroolog/https://empoweringnicuparents.com/standingtransfer/Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode15/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents

In our episode, we continue our discussion on kangaroo care by addressing some of the common barriers to kangaroo care and why it may not always be encouraged sooner. We review ways to minimize some of the common obstacles NICUs encounter that may prevent daily kangaroo care for parents. We discuss the assessment for readiness of the infant, parents, and unit for daily skin-to-skin care followed by a review of common limiting factors that may prevent an infant from being able to do kangaroo care due their clinical condition and/or lines and equipment.  Finally, I review step-by-step guides for kangaroo care including how to prepare each time and the different transfer methods commonly used. Finally, I offer my top tip on how to pump while doing kangaroo care so it does not inhibit your time to hold your baby skin-to-skin. So get ready and let’s continue our discussion on kangaroo care in the NICU! Grab your free graphics that correlate with the episode at: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/</a> <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroolog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroolog/</a> <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/standingtransfer/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/standingtransfer/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode15/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode15/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a>

Kangaroo Care in the NICU: How to address the barriers, assess for readiness, and transfer the infant safely

Kangaroo care has numerous benefits for the baby and parents! Skin-to-skin care is now a modern day practice in the obstetrics and NICU world. Learn how it was first put into place out of pure necessity and why the practice is so strongly encouraged today. If you are either a NICU parent or a member of the NICU care team, you will hear the many benefits kangaroo care provides babies, especially the preterm population as well as its ability to promote engagement and attachment with parents.  Kangaroo care is an integral component of family-centered care in the NICU. Tune in to hear the many ways it benefits the infant from temperature stabilization, improved sleep organization, and a reduced risk for infections that all ultimately contribute towards improved neurodevelopmental outcomes. For the parents, kangaroo care encourages bonding and attachment, it minimizes stress, and it helps parents feel confident in their parental role! You will not want to miss this one! Grab your free graphic that correlates with the episode at http://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode14/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents

Kangaroo care has numerous benefits for the baby and parents! Skin-to-skin care is now a modern day practice in the obstetrics and NICU world. Learn how it was first put into place out of pure necessity and why the practice is so strongly encouraged today. If you are either a NICU parent or a member of the NICU care team, you will hear the many benefits kangaroo care provides babies, especially the preterm population as well as its ability to promote engagement and attachment with parents. Kangaroo care is an integral component of family-centered care in the NICU. Tune in to hear the many ways it benefits the infant from temperature stabilization, improved sleep organization, and a reduced risk for infections that all ultimately contribute towards improved neurodevelopmental outcomes. For the parents, kangaroo care encourages bonding and attachment, it minimizes stress, and it helps parents feel confident in their parental role! You will not want to miss this one! Grab your free graphic that correlates with the episode at <a href="http://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">http://empoweringnicuparents.com/kangaroograph/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode14/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode14/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a>

Kangaroo Care in the NICU: How Does it Benefit the Infant and Parents?

Tune in to hear a continuation of my conversation with Anese Barnett, a perinatal mental health therapist.  You will benefit from listening if you are a NICU mother who has experienced or is currently experiencing the stress and associated trauma of having a baby in the NICU. Or if you are a NICU dad, grandparent, or friend to a NICU Mom and need some tangible advice to help her pause and address her own self care. Members of the NICU care team specifically nurses, NNPs, Neonatologists, and social workers will also hear concrete suggestions on how to support your NICU Moms. Anese and I continued our discussion of maternal ritualistic behaviors and how their loved ones can address their concerns to them in an empathetic and understanding way so they are willing to open up and accept further help. We reviewed the mental and physical ailments associated with trauma if it is not addressed in a healthy and timely manner. Did you know that we as mothers can actually pass our trauma and negativity down to our children if we do not deal with the birth trauma and/or NICU trauma that we endured. Anese offered some great resources for NICU parents or anyone who wants to understand more about NICU trauma and how our body as a whole can be affected for years if it is not dealt with as well as ways to find the therapist that is right for you! Maternal Mental Health is incredibly important and we as Moms tend to not make it a priority. But, I strongly encourage you to listen because I promise you will gain some new insight. I strongly  encourage you to start taking care of yourself as a whole person, mind, body, and spirit! https://empoweringnicuparents.com/toptips/Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode13/Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents

Tune in to hear a continuation of my conversation with Anese Barnett, a perinatal mental health therapist. You will benefit from listening if you are a NICU mother who has experienced or is currently experiencing the stress and associated trauma of having a baby in the NICU. Or if you are a NICU dad, grandparent, or friend to a NICU Mom and need some tangible advice to help her pause and address her own self care. Members of the NICU care team specifically nurses, NNPs, Neonatologists, and social workers will also hear concrete suggestions on how to support your NICU Moms. Anese and I continued our discussion of maternal ritualistic behaviors and how their loved ones can address their concerns to them in an empathetic and understanding way so they are willing to open up and accept further help.  We reviewed the mental and physical ailments associated with trauma if it is not addressed in a healthy and timely manner. Did you know that we as mothers can actually pass our trauma and negativity down to our children if we do not deal with the birth trauma and/or NICU trauma that we endured.  Anese offered some great resources for NICU parents or anyone who wants to understand more about NICU trauma and how our body as a whole can be affected for years if it is not dealt with as well as ways to find the therapist that is right for you!  Maternal Mental Health is incredibly important and we as Moms tend to not make it a priority. But, I strongly encourage you to listen because I promise you will gain some new insight. I strongly encourage you to start taking care of yourself as a whole person, mind, body, and spirit!  <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/toptips/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/toptips/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: <a href="https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode13/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode13/</a> Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/</a> Empowering NICU Parents FB Group:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents</a>

Supporting Maternal Mental Health in the NICU - Are We Doing Enough? Part II

Is your baby currently in the NICU? Was your baby born prematurely? Or is your term baby in the NICU for high jaundice levels, low blood sugars, or because they have some Respiratory Distress and need oxygen or additional support? Are you wondering what in the heck is a small baby unit or kangaroo care? Why do NICUs use donor breast milk and what on earth does RDS, BPD, IVH, NEC, ETT, CPAP, HFNC, UVC, UAC, po, ng, NEC, ABG, CBG, CBC, and CMP stand for? Are you asking yourself how will we ever get through this, what questions should I even ask, and when will my baby come home? If you are a NICU parent who is scared, nervous, unsure, and full of questions, then hit the subscribe button so you do not miss another show! Welcome to the "Empowering NICU Parents Podcast" where we will answer ALL of these questions and SO MUCH more! Your host, Nicole Nyberg is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with years of NICU experience - but she also brings her unique perspective to this podcast as a mother of a 23-weeker. Along with sharing answers to the NICU medical questions you have, Nicole addresses and supports you through the incredibly difficult emotional struggles that only a NICU parent can understand. She provides you with knowledge plus tangible tips to guide, educate, empower, and support you through your baby's NICU journey and once they are home. Tune in to hear from someone who knows exactly what you're going through, another NICU Mama. Check out all of our show notes and additional information at <a href="http://empoweringnicuparents.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">empoweringnicuparents.com</a>

Empowering NICU Parents Podcast

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