NICU Babies Parent Support
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
The NICU is hard. We're here to help. Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby's NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish.Learn more or get support at handtohold.orgFollow Hand to Hold:Facebook.com/HANDtoHOLDInstagram: @handtoholdTwitter: @NICUHandtoHoldYouTube: @handtohold
Episodes
- S11 E146: Calling All Bereaved & Veteran NICU Dads ft. Matt Bialkowski
Matt Bialkowski, a father who experienced the NICU twice and faced loss, discusses finding purpose and coping with premature birth. He now hosts the Dads of the NICU podcast to support other fathers globally.
- S11 E145: A Men's Mental Health Expert ft. Sheehan Fisher, Ph.D
Dr. Sheehan Fisher, a clinical psychologist specializing in father's mental health, discusses the effects of psychosocial stress on mood, parenting, and child health. He focuses on the unique contributions of fathers to family and child he…
- S11 E144: Calling All Military NICU Dads ft. Adam Wood
Adam Wood, with over 20 years in the military, discusses his experience in the NICU, highlighting the unexpected need for learning and advocacy while supporting his wife and child. He now writes books for NICU families and shares content o…
- S11 E143: Calling All NICU Co-Parenting Dads ft. Aaron Vasquez
Aaron Vasquez discusses his unprepared entry into fatherhood with a 29-weeker, detailing his journey to mental wellness, co-parenting with his ex-wife, and the influence of fatherhood on his professional chef career.
- S11 E142: Calling All NICU Dads of Multiples ft. Jonathan Sandhu
Jonathan Sandhu, dad to identical quadruplet girls and two other children, shares his experiences in the NICU, including reconciling potential outcomes with his wife, the differences between online dad and mom support groups, and balancing…
- S11 E141: Calling All NICU Dads of Big Families ft. Scott Whitaker
Dads of big families, welcome to the group chat. Fundraiser and father of 6, including two NICU babies, Scott Whitaker shares how he embraced his role as a NICU dad, his clutch advice for other NICU dads (big or small families) and his hon…
- S11 E140: Season 11: Calling All NICU Dads ft. Kathryn Whitaker
There are so many resources for NICU moms, but what about the dads, the grandfathers, the uncles and the men of the NICU? This season is all about them - their perspectives, their experiences, how they supported their partners, wives, gran…
- S10 E139: What I Wish I Knew About…My Pediatrician ft. Dr. Mona Amin (@PedsDocTalk)
Pediatrician Dr. Mona Amin shares her path in medicine, the importance of patient connection, and building a social media presence. She also discusses her personal NICU journey, NICU guilt, milestones, medical overwhelm, and empowering par…
- S10 E138: What I Wish I Knew About…Birth Trauma & Advocacy ft. HeHe Stewart
Doula and advocate HeHe Stewart discusses birth trauma and its emotional impact on NICU parents. The episode explores advocacy, healing after traumatic births, and offers support for navigating recovery, resilience, grief, and hope.
- S10 E137: What I Wish I Knew About…Parenting Special Needs Children ft. Kelly Mantoan
Kelly Mantoan, mother of five and advocate for families raising children with disabilities, shares her experiences and advice for parents navigating the challenges and unexpected moments of grace when raising children with special needs, p…
- S10 E136: What I Wish I Knew About…Medical Billing ft. Jules Nowak
Jules Nowak, founder of The Medical Bill Academy and NICU parent, shares insights on navigating medical bills and insurance denials after a NICU stay, drawing from her own 73-day experience.
- S10 E135: What I Wish I Knew About…Child Loss & Grief ft. Amber Smith
Amber Smith shares her personal journey through child loss and grief following the passing of her son River. The episode explores honoring his memory, navigating marriage and parenting through sorrow, and the reality of healing.
- S10 E134: What I Wish I Knew About…NICU Nurses ft. Nurse Tori
Nurse Tori Meskin shares insights into the role of NICU nurses, discussing how they support infants and families, build trust in stressful situations, and address common parental concerns during a NICU stay.
- S10 E133: What I Wish I Knew About…Raising Twins (One with Down Syndrome) ft. Missy Haughery
Missy Haughery, mother to twins with one having Down syndrome, shares her journey, including the challenges in parenthood and marriage, and the lessons learned. Her story offers encouragement and practical advice for parents facing similar…
- S10 E132: What I Wish I Knew About…Being a Military NICU Family ft. Taneisha Stamps
NICU military mom Taneisha Stamps shares her experience of being in the NICU with her son while on a military base, far from home. She discusses the shared feelings of isolation, mental health challenges, and dependence on others common to…
- S10 E131: What I Wish I Knew About…Organizing & Storing Photos ft. Miss Freddy
In this episode, photo organizer Miss Freddy discusses the emotional and practical aspects of managing photos taken during a NICU stay. Learn how organizing images can help process the experience, minimize trauma, and honor the NICU journe…
- S10 E130: Season 10: What I Wish I Knew ft. Kathryn Whitaker
Season 10, Episode 130, "What I Wish I Knew" with guest Kathryn Whitaker, offers wisdom and practical advice for parents of NICU babies. The episode covers essential support for navigating life during and after a NICU stay, including finan…
- S9 E129: How Art Helped me Heal ft. Savannah O'Malley
Savannah O'Malley shares how she found healing through art as a NICU parent. Her work helps other NICU families feel seen and loved, offering support through their shared trauma.
- S9 E128: Giving NICU Babies a Voice ft. Candace Cronin
Candace Blair Cronin, mother of four and advocate for children in foster care, shares her personal journey and involvement as a CASA volunteer in supporting vulnerable children and their families.
- S9 E127: Seeing Double Double: Raising Identical Quads ft. Mercedes & Jonathan Sandhu
Mercedes and Jonathan Sandhu share their experiences with identical quadruplets, discussing the initial ultrasound, preparation for the arrival of four babies, and the realities of daily life with six children under the age of three. They…
- S9 E126: Adopting a NICU Baby ft. Shannon Donnelly
Shannon Donnelly shares her journey of adopting a baby who needed NICU care, detailing how she and her husband managed an out-of-state adoption and NICU stay, and found peace with her daughter's birth parents.
- S9 E125: Is This Normal, or Not? ft. Dr. Meghan Martin (@dr.beachgem10)
Dr. Meghan Martin, an ER doctor, joins the show to discuss common NICU concerns and shares her own NICU journey. She offers advice on advocating for your baby and emphasizes the importance of trusting parental intuition.
- S9 E124: ROP 411: All About Tiny Eyes ft. Dr. Rupa Wong
Pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Rupa Wong joins NICU Babies Parent Support to discuss retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), addressing common parental fears and providing tools for advocating for a child's eye health.
- S9 E123: A Slow Exhale: Finding Purpose Through Special Needs Parenting ft. Valerie Rodriguez
Valerie Rodriguez shares her experience finding a new normal after a multiples pregnancy, NICU stay, and the death of one of her twins. She discusses navigating grief, special needs parenting, and changes in her role as a mom and wife.
- S9 E122: What it Feels Like to Lose Control ft. Britt Fisk
Britt Fisk discusses her experiences with her daughter's spina bifida diagnosis and her own breast cancer diagnosis, detailing how letting go of control aided her recovery.
- S9 E121: Supporting Families in Crisis ft. Katrina Moline & Kelli Kelley
Kelli Kelley, CEO of Hand to Hold, and Executive Director Katrina Moline share information about the support services their organization offers to families with children in the NICU. Hand to Hold provides resources such as peer mentoring,…
- S9 E120: Season 9: Finding Your New Normal ft. Kathryn Whitaker
Season 9, Episode 120 of NICU Babies Parent Support focuses on finding a "new normal" after a NICU stay. Host Kathryn Whitaker and guests, including parents of multiples, adoptive parents, and those facing significant medical diagnoses, sh…
- S8 E119: Life After Heart Transplant, One Mom's Story ft. Kasie Marek
From there to here. When Kasie Marek's son received a heart transplant after a long and difficult medical road of treating his hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), she had no idea what lay on the other side of treatment. Listen as Kasie…
- S8 E118: Pregnancy After a NICU Baby, One Mom's Story ft. Stephanie Goley
Should you have another child after a NICU stay? While it's a common question, there is no easy answer. Special needs mom Stephanie Goley shares how her family weighed the decision of adding to their family, how they focused on joy instead…
- S8 E117: NICU Sibling-hood & Big Emotions ft. Dr. Siggie Cohen
During a NICU stay, there's often a population that gets overlooked: the siblings. Parenting expert and child development specialist Dr. Siggie Cohen helps parents get to the heart of conflict, develop positive sibling relationships and fi…
- S8 E116: RSV Fears & Health Disparities ft. Chelsea Samms
As a nurse educator with a NICU nursing background, Chelsea Samms shares her honest experience in caring for NICU babies. She encourages parents to trust their instinct when treating illnesses like RSV, how to advocate for their baby when…
- S8 E115: Finding Hope After the Greatest Loss ft. Mary Lenaburg
Hope needs a face. We often wonder how parents and caregivers of very medically fragile children can find joy and hope, even in the midst of long days, hospital stays and unimaginable grief, but they do. Today's guest, Mary Lenaburg, gives…
- S8 E114: Making the Most of a SPED Meeting ft. Suzanne Blume
You're worried your child may need special education services, but you don't know where to start, what questions to ask or how to advocate for your child properly. Former special ed teacher and diagnostician and current special education c…
- S8 E113: Supporting Your NICU Grandbaby ft. Dr. Judith Enders
Did your grandchild just earn a first-class ticket to the NICU? Listen as grandparent (Jammie as she's called) and pediatrician, Dr. Judith Enders, share her best suggestions for loving your grandchild well and supporting your child withou…
- S8 E112: Season 8 Opener ft. Kathryn Whitaker
Need some hope? Season 8 delivers. Whether you're needing hope because your grandchild is in the NICU, you've suffered a loss, a difficult medical diagnosis, learning challenges or sibling discord - this season has something for you. Set f…
- S7 E111: Sharing Your Story on Social Media ft. KC Davis
Many caregivers and parents have a desire to invite others into their NICU story. But when does sharing become an invasion of a child's privacy? How do parents share the suffering, but honor the child's story? Licensed counselor and social…
- S7 E110: Organizing Your Medical Information ft. Ryan Sheedy
Necessity is the mother, or in this case, the father of invention. Former exec turned entrepreneur and NICU dad, Ryan Sheedy helped co-found My Mejo, an online medical journal designed to help parents alleviate the stress of keeping track…
- S7 E109: Riding the NICU Rollercoaster ft. Dr. Jess Daigle
The NICU rollercoaster of emotions is real. NICU mom, pediatrician, hospitalist and postpartum expert Dr. Jess Daigle speaks from experience when she shares how to put in better boundaries, understand your baby and take care of yourself wh…
- S7 E108: Twin Birth & Death in the NICU, One Mom's Story ft. Laura Kelly Fanucci
Mom and author Laura Kelly Fanucci shares how her twin pregnancy was a surprise, as was their diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion. She shares how surgery was initially thought to aid in their development, but when it didn't. Laura tender…
- S7 E107: Helping Kids Understand Grief ft. Dr. Korie Leigh
Kids grieve a loss, too. In this conversation, child life specialist and thanatologist Dr. Korie Leigh discusses strategies for helping kids understand, process and move through grief. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram…
- S7 E106: The Reality of Stillbirth, One Mom's Story ft. Katie Talman
Stillbirth isn't often talked about, but it's a reality for many families. Katie Talman tenderly shares her loss, how it affected her family and what grief feels like. 💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram | Facebook | Webs…
- S7 E105: Make Your Home Work for You ft. Kate Strickler
Sometimes, tending your home can feel overwhelming. Creator of the Naptime Kitchen and mom of four, Kate Strickler, shares tips and strategies for making it manageable (as well as a free resource for NICU moms!) Whether you're trying to ta…
- S7 E104: Season 7, Tending the Heart, Body & Home ft. Kathryn Whitaker
In season 7 - tending the heart, body and home - we tackle making your home work for you, digital medical journaling, loss and bereavement, helping kids understand grief, stillbirth, managing the NICU rollercoaster and finding good boundar…
- S6 E103: Sex after the NICU ft. Anisa Varasteh
Sex after a NICU stay. Is it an oxymoron? Whether you're fearful or excited, sexologist Anisa Varasteh with Relate Sexology shares what the postpartum body feels like, how to talk to your partner, how to address fear, tips for developing b…
- S6 E102: Postpartum Exercise & Nutrition ft. Shalini Blubaugh
Feeling overwhelmed and confused by caring for your body through nutrition and exercise? Certified personal trainer and nutrition coach Shalini Blubaugh will share common myths about both, overcoming obstacles and how to integrate realisti…
- S6 E101: Rehabilitating Your Pelvic Floor After Birth ft. Dr. Rebecca Maidansky
Have you ever been told that suffering from pelvic floor leakage, pain or fear is all just "part of parenthood?" Pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Rebecca Maidansky shares how to avoid doing the wrong thing by doing the right one. She wi…
- S6 E100: Setting Healthy Boundaries ft. Scott & Kathryn Whitaker
You're living your hardest days in the NICU, so you turn to social media for support, encouragement, solidarity and community. Can you share too much? When does your story become their story? Veteran NICU parents and active social media us…
- S6 E99: This One's For the NICU Dads ft. Will Hay
To every dad who has endured a NICU stay with his son or daughter, we see you. NICU dad Will Hay shares his hardest day, the thing that gave him hope and how he took his fear and turned it into a beautiful resource for other parents. Dads,…
- S6 E98: Should I Pay That Medical Bill? ft. Marshall Allen
Never pay the first bill, at least that's what podcast guest and medical investigative journalist Marshall Allen advises. At some point, every NICU family has to deal with an insurance company, government agency, medical billing office or…
- S6 E97: The 411 About Medical Billing & Insurance ft. Kelley Coleman
Paying the medical bills and determining insurance coverage can almost be as stressful as caring for your NICU baby (and sometimes more so). Kelley Coleman - author, disability advocate and mom of a medically complex child - shares questio…