Comments for Hand to Hold

Comment on Bonding with Your Medically Fragile Baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by Veronica

Veronica — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:41:47 +0000

I read to our baby in the NICU. Beatrix Potter was great. It calmed both of us. I gave it to another mother when we left the unit. I also knitted for Fiona at her bedside

Comment on Grandparent Perspectives on Life in the NICU by Katrina Moline

Katrina Moline — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:20:28 +0000

I remember the day my dad, qouted here as Doug Bennett but “Poppa” to me, said he wished he could fix it all for me. “It all” was my son’s incredible struggle to survive after being born at home at only 24 weeks gestation. I wished, too, that he could. And though he couldn’t, I never would have survived those 5 long months in the NICU or the years since without his support!

Comment on Nana in the NICU by Frances Newcomb

Frances Newcomb — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:49:17 +0000

Very proud of my friend NICU Nana and her wonderful family that God has blessed! You are all doing wonderful work!

Comment on It’s a Preemie Thing by Ashlee Swain

Ashlee Swain — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:25:28 +0000

I have always liked the saying: “From small beginnings…..come great things” Proverbs

Comment on Grandparent Perspectives on Life in the NICU by Sharon Ericson

Sharon Ericson — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:59:08 +0000

This is a great site. My daughter is owner of Rest In Hope. We both make small hats for the amazing little ones. Check out Bailey’s Bonnets.
Watching my daughter sit on the sidelines while Bailey was in the NICU was so hard for me. She was so ill that she had to stay in bed. And the times she could get to the NICU to see Bailey something was happening in one of the pods and she could not go in. This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and I’ve done some pretty hard things. But I took Bailey and rocked her, spent her last hours with her, Talked to her, told her stories. And loved every minute with her. I think of her daily now and on her birthday think what we could be doing to spoil her just a little more. She would be a sweet sixteen this past Oct. and I know we would be out having a great time. I just know I will hold her again someday and she will help me through. Love you Bailey Noel.

Comment on Grandparent Perspectives on Life in the NICU by Gay Molise

Gay Molise — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:36:05 +0000

This is so cool, great article, and I love that something I contributed was included. Hope it helps someone else who is struggling with how to help their child through this kind of experience. Thanks for all you do! You are an amazing resource.

Comment on The Lord’s Isaiah by rossy

rossy — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:10:05 +0000

que tal. yo tambien comprendo la estancia de nuestros bebes en NICU, mi beba nacio a las 28 semanas y peso 2 libras 11 onzas,y en realidad DIOS ha sido la fortaleza principal para salir adelante ella ahora tiene 13 meses y junto con mi esposo y ella a seguir con nuestra vida, no tengo familiares y es mucho mas dificil el manejo emocional. cuidense y para delante

Comment on Re-Entry by Stephanie Paylor

Stephanie Paylor — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:50:59 +0000

I’m sitting here reading this in tears. I feel as though you are describing me. My 24 weeker, Aubrey Sage, was born on January 28th, 2011 due to preeclampsia at 1 lb 1 oz. She is now 9 months (5 adjusted but will be 6 adjusted tomorrow) and will be 10 month on the 28th. My due date was May 18th.

Everyday I am scared of everything. I also have a 4 yr old. I still talk to 2 of the Moms from the NICU but not often enough. I still feel as though it is hard for people, even family still, to understand why we do what we do. With the holidays coming, we are staying home. We usually go to my father-in-law’s and my parents but not this year. Some family members just don’t get it and feel I’m being overprotective. I try not to let it get to me but it is so upsetting.

Aubrey has changed my life profoundly. I keep a journal of every single day of her 4 month NICU stay. I had to stop working to be home with Aubrey so my husband works 2 jobs now. I was a legal contract specialist at a university. I want to make a complete career change and be a NICU nurse. I want to write a book. What steps did you take to have your book published?

Thank you for sharing this.

Comment on Re-Entry by Kasey

Kasey — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:45:24 +0000

Hi Kate, My daughter Andie is turning 11 next week and there are still times when I experience the same feelings you’re having. You need to know that your feelings are so normal and totally appropriate after everything you’ve been through with a premature baby. You’re also not alone, as so many parents report feeling the same way. Bring on the bubble wrap and let’s keep those babies save! But they came here to live and have already proven that they are so strong and can handle so much! Let your daughter be your role model and know that everyday you will move a little and little further away from that fear. If the fear continues to persist, or get worse, you might want to look into EMDR therapy (first used to treat post-traumatic stress in vets) which is what I ended up doing a few years ago when all my fears became too overwhelming. Good for you, saying the words out loud I AM SCARED. Bringing those fears to light takes away the power and opens up space for you to breathe. Put on a favorite piece of music, light a candle, breathe and believe! XO

Comment on Re-Entry by Kate Scott

Kate Scott — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:16:43 +0000

My preemie is 5 and I am still scared. Scared every time my husband drives her to school, what if they crash on the way there? Scared while she’s at school – what if she goes on the climbing frame and falls and bashes her hydrocephalus filled head? Scared at lunch time – what if she chokes on something in school lunch and someone can’t clear it. Scared at home – why do we live so far from a hospital. I don’t realise how much I think about it until a story like this reminds me. The reality is that I am not the carefree, happy-go-lucky person that I was. I do not exude a paranoid, depressed personality, but inside I can admit, that I AM scared.