Should you sing to your NICU baby?
EveryTinyThing
Yes, you can and should sing to your baby while he or she is in the NICU!
Why?Well, there are lots of reasons, really. First & foremost,
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Mother's Day in the NICU - The Absolute best gift guide for every budget
EveryTinyThing
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and it's no time to forget the NICU moms in your life. In fact, these stressed out, worried, overwhelmed moms deserve pampering and loving more than any others, in my opinion.
So don't let this year pass by without treating NICU moms to a fantastic Mother's Day.
I've yet to meet a NICU mother who...
Read MoreChildren's books you really should know about if your baby was a preemie
EveryTinyThing
Looking for the best children's books about prematurity? Look no further - here are my all time favorite childrens books about being preemies and having a brother or sister who is a preemie.
Read MorePrematurity Awareness Month Giveaway
EveryTinyThing
In honor of Prematurity Awareness Month, I’ve teamed up with some incredibly generous folks to put together an awesome preemie giveaway that you’re sure to love! With items for preemie babies and parents alike, it’s gonna be an amazing gift for one lucky winner.
What’s Included?
Read MoreImagine
EveryTinyThing
Do you ever wonder what it's like to have a preemie? Do you sometimes wonder "What's the big deal?"
I wonder… Can you imagine what it’s like? The fear? Can you imagine the crushing of dreams, of life-long hopes of motherhood and family?
Read More10 best Etsy Shops for Preemie Holiday Outfits
EveryTinyThing
Your first holiday with your baby should be reason to celebrate! Even when you're in the NICU. Even when your baby is a preemie and it's hard to find cute holiday outfits that fit just right.
I spent the last week searching Etsy for cute holiday outfits for babies, and then checked to see who offers their outfits in preemie sizes. I reached out to several Etsy store owners...
Read MoreAn easy way to stay connected with your NICU baby
EveryTinyThing
Here's a typical day in the NICU, with a beautiful twist: A baby girl sleeps in the NICU in a dark, warm incubator. She can hear the bubbling of her oxygen, the beep of alarms, the sound of nurses and doctors talking. She’s very little, quite fragile, and even though she is receiving the absolute best care, she is still disconnected from mommy and daddy.
For her safety and wellbeing, there is no other way. Her mommy and daddy...
Read More20 Great Halloween Ideas for the NICU
EveryTinyThing
When your baby's first Halloween happens when you're in the NICU, you can still have a little fun, if you feel up to it. Any opportunity to smile while you're on this difficult journey is a gift, and you have every right to enjoy every holiday you want to with your baby. So go ahead - you have permission to enjoy your baby's first Halloween!
Of course, this can only be done with a sensitivity to the realities of the NICU....
Read MoreHow to help a NICU mom - thoughtful, beautiful ways to show you care
EveryTinyThing
So you have a friend or a loved one with a baby in the NICU? And you're wondering what you really can do to help? You've come to the right place! Read on!
The truth is - NICU mamas are struggling. NICU mamas have had their babies taken from them. NICU mamas dreamed of blissful times snuggling their babies, but instead...
Read MoreThe Preemie Song (aka "the NICU at Nite")
EveryTinyThing
Have you heard this one yet? Well, if you haven't, let me share a little treat with you.
"NICU at Nite" is a sweet, lighthearted song about having a baby in the NICU.
And if you've ever known the inside of a NICU, you'll see he's got it just right. You'll find yourself humming "beep..beep...beep..." right along with him! :) Enjoy!
Read MoreWhy You Should Personalize Your NICU Space
EveryTinyThing
The NICU - ugh! Seriously, could it be any more sterile, medical, institutional, and scary? Could it possibly be less homey, comforting, welcoming and familiar?
In my quest to make the NICU a bit more bearable for parents, I need to share with you a key ingredient to NICU happiness...
Read MoreNight shift in the NICU just got a little brighter
EveryTinyThing
I have to share my new favorite NICU hack which some amazing nurses on the night shift recently taught me. They found a simple way to bring a little cheer, a way to help the NICU feel a little bit more homey, with just the right mood lighting - fairy lights!
Read MoreThe Best Butt Cream for Babies
EveryTinyThing
I've seen a lot of diaper rash in my 19 years of NICU nursing. People ask all the time about what diaper rash creams we use in the NICU and which ones I prefer. But the truth is, a NICU doesn't necessarily have access to all the best products, and many of the hospitals where I've worked have had pretty limited choices....
Read MoreA wonderful resource for NICU Parents
EveryTinyThing
New NICU parents - Does it feel as if you're not getting the support you need?
NICU's across the country are working hard to improve the care they provide to babies AND parents. But sometimes it feels like it's not enough. Many parents report feeling scared, overwhelmed, depressed, and more during and after their NICU stay.
Read MoreTwo Must-See Videos for NICU & Preemie Parents
EveryTinyThing
When a baby is born prematurely, it may feel impossible that your baby will make it. If you're looking for hope & inspiration, I've got just the videos for you.
These two videos give an honest yet beautiful glimpse into the NICU courses of two different families. They show real, honest footage of parents and babies during their NICU journeys, tastefully composed and inspiring in tone. Grab your Kleenex!
Read MorePreparing to take your Preemie Home from the NICU
EveryTinyThing
It's a wonderful day, when you finally get to take your premature baby home. But if you're wise, you'll plan ahead and do some preparation.
Take time to read the 3 Steps to Bringing Your Preemie Home: The Ultimate Guide, and then print this checklist so you can mark off the tasks as you make progress.
Read MoreNICU Conversions and Calculations
EveryTinyThing
If you've come here from reading the article NICU Calculations & Conversions from About.com, you've come to the right place. (If you haven't read the article yet, head on over and read it!)
Here's your printable version some of the calculations you can do while your little one is in the NICU.
Read MoreWhat to Expect When You're Expecting a Preemie
EveryTinyThing
Here's your printable version of the Questions to ask when you're Expecting a Preemie. When you click below, you'll download the PDF version of the questions. It's perfect to keep with you when you meet with your NICU staff, so you can jot down all the answers.
Read MorePrematurity Sucks
EveryTinyThing
Let's be honest - having a preemie sucks.
Don't get me wrong. I love preemies. I adore them. I enjoy caring for preemies at every stage of their young lives - from the touch and go fragility of newly born preemies, to the hard-earned celebrations for accomplishments like taking a full bottle or having no apnea during a kangaroo care time. These are wonderful feelings, and it's really incredible to be a part of helping them thrive.
But it sucks. No parent wants the stress, the worry, the separation, the anxiety. I watch parents time & again struggle through this awful experience, hoping they come out on the other side....
Read MoreNICU Feeding Pillows
EveryTinyThing
So, you have a baby (or two or three...) in the NICU, and you need to feed you little one! Whether you're breast or bottle feeding your little one, you'll still want a comfortable way to hold your baby during feeding time.
Most moms & dads love
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