In our recent NICU Parent Perspectives parent panel, we discuss the unique experiences of adoptive and foster parents navigating a NICU stay. Our panelists offered heartfelt stories, practical advice, and powerful reflections on the challenges and triumphs of parenting in the NICU through adoption or foster care.
Why Foster and Adoptive Parents in the NICU Need Support
Research shows that peer support is critical for NICU families, and it’s especially vital for adoptive and foster parents, who often face unique challenges such as:
- legal hurdles
- limited access to prenatal history
- bonding with a baby who may have been born prematurely or with complex medical needs
- emotional uncertainty
Many infants placed in foster care or through adoption have experienced prenatal substance exposure or adverse birth outcomes like prematurity and low birth weight, which often lead to a NICU stay. These circumstances make social and emotional support even more essential.
NICU Support Makes a Difference
NICU parents consistently say that connecting with other parents helps them feel less alone, builds community, and offers practical advice – things that make coping during and after a NICU stay a little easier.
At Hand to Hold, we believe that when we support parents we’re also supporting their babies. That’s why conversations like this matter. By sharing experiences and learning from one another, we can create a stronger and more compassionate community for all NICU families.
Meet the panelists:
Kristy is a mother of two. Her son Kevin spent two and a half months in the NICU, an experience that gave Christy and her husband a deep appreciation for the importance of strong NICU support. As a full-time working parent, Christy understands the challenges of balancing time between the NICU and work.
Myra is the mom to four children, where two of her children spent time in the NICU. Her second oldest daughter, Ava, was born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at under 2 pounds at 32 weeks old. She spent 40 days in the NICU and was discharged under four pounds. Myra;s second youngest, Mina, was born at 33 weeks and six days and spent a week in the NICU.
Morgan is the mother of three children. Her youngest, Franklin, spent 30 days in the NICU undergoing morphine withdrawal due to in utero exposure before being discharged to Morgan’s family as a foster placement. After discharge he faced ongoing challenges including tremors, feeding and weight gain difficulties, low muscle tone, and clasp thumbs. Morgan’s family is currently exploring a potential cerebral palsy diagnosis for Franklin. Morgan and her family have maintained a strong relationship with Franklin’s NICU team keeping them updated on his progress and their adoption journey. One of his primary nurses with 25 years of experience shared that she had never seen a baby struggle as much as Franklin. Despite these challenges he continues to defy the odds, a true fighter and a little miracle.
Watch the full NICU Parent Perspectives panel now to hear their stories and learn how we can better support adoptive and foster families in the NICU.
