Episode 160: Is It OK to Laugh in the NICU?

September 16, 2026

Guest: Dr. Gal Barbut, Neonatologist

He loves babies, AND he’s got dad jokes. While the NICU can be an intense, and often serious, place, neonatologist Dr. Gal Barbut believes that well-timed levity allows doctors, nurses and NICU professionals to better connect with NICU families. When we share the totality of our humanness – the highs and the lows – we can develop a deeper connection. It’s that connection we explore in this week’s episode. This one might make you laugh, and cry, as you feel seen in your humanity.

In this episode, we chat about:

  • How humor and levity can help NICU professionals build authentic connections with families
  • Balancing the emotional weight of neonatology with life outside the NICU
  • Healthy ways for NICU parents and caregivers to cope during difficult days
  • How social media is changing the way families understand medicine and interact with healthcare providers
  • Where parents can turn for trustworthy, accurate information about their baby’s care

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About the guest

Dr Gal the BabyDoc, Gal BarabutDr. Gal, known online as GalTheBabyDoc, is a neonatologist and pediatrician who cares for critically ill and premature newborns and their families at a large academic medical center. Outside the hospital, he’s a husband, dad to three boys, endurance athlete, musician, and content creator who uses education, humor, and stories from life in and outside the NICU to make medicine feel a little more human. His approach is grounded in the belief that caring for a baby also means caring for the family around them—and that even in some of life’s hardest moments, there can still be room for connection, laughter, and joy.

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