Blog
Preeclampsia 101
May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month. Preeclampsia can strike any time. Keep yourself and your loved ones aware of these most frequently asked questions about this often life-threatening pregnancy disorder. What is preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific...
Hand to Hold Expands Virtual Support Groups for NICU Parents
Hand to Hold launches NEW Virtual Support Groups for NICU dads, Spanish-speaking parents, high-risk pregnancy and more! The NICU is hard. We’re here to help. When babies need the specialized attention of a NICU, it can be emotionally traumatic to the parent and...
How to Set Boundaries During & After the NICU
As many states lift COVID precautions in favor of a “new normal,” many folks are left wondering how to navigate the pandemic. “How do I protect myself? How do I protect my family? Is it safe to no longer wear a mask?” On top of the many questions around COVID...
Join Us for #Miles4MentalHealth!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Did you know that 1 in 7 babies will spend time in the NICU? When babies need the specialized medical attention of a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), it is emotionally traumatic to the parents and disruptive to traditional...
Tummy Time with Your NICU Baby: How to Do It and Why It’s Important
by Eliana Cutler, Hand to Hold’s Occupational Therapy Intern, occupational therapy student and doctoral candidate at Midwestern University’s College of Health Sciences. Tummy time is a great way to interact with your baby while helping them improve strength,...
Occupational Therapy in the NICU and Beyond
by Eliana Cutler, Hand to Hold's Occupational Therapy Intern, occupational therapy student and doctoral candidate at Midwestern University's College of Health Sciences. What is occupational therapy? According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (2021),...
Why You Should Set Intentions Instead of Resolutions
Setting intentions can feel kinder to yourself. It’s 2022. We’ve all entered into a new year on the tails of 2021, an ongoing pandemic, and the expectations of New Year’s resolutions. New year, new me. Most of us are still balancing the idea that we’re actually in...
Sarah Inbau named Hand to Hold’s Chief Growth Officer
Hand to Hold, a national nonprofit that provides personalized emotional support, educational resources and community to NICU parents, is excited to welcome Sarah Inbau as Chief Growth Officer. Inbau had previously served on Hand to Hold’s Executive Board of...
Lydia M. Contreras, PhD, named Hand to Hold Chair of the Board
Hand to Hold is excited to announce that current board member, Lydia M. Contreras, PhD, has been named Chair of the Board for 2022. Dr. Contreras has served on Hand to Hold's Board of Directors since 2019. Dr. Contreras is an Associate Professor and the Laurence...
A Second NICU Stay; an Unexpected Heart Surgery
"Love for another baby in the NICU was not an emotion I was allowing myself to feel again." by Christine Tester Moving to another country is always exciting, but it was made all the more so when we found out we were pregnant with our third child just a few weeks...
Celebrating Valentine’s Day in the NICU
Valentine's Day in the NICU isn't ideal, but it can be a fun opportunity to bring a little joy and celebration into the NICU and focus on the love you have for your baby. Here are just a few ways you can mark this love-filled occasion in the NICU and with your...