Blog
Occupational Therapy, Art & Drumming
I have the benefit of looking back over a decade to see what part of occupational therapy (OT) made a strong impact. At first, it was confusing. I did not understand why it was called “occupational,” as if it has to do with one’s job. Much of what we do with fine...
Kangaroo Care: Give a Helping Hug
We all remember the first time we held our baby. For some it was with in the first few moments after birth and for others it might not have been for a few days to weeks. For me it was three days - the longest three days ever. It was on that third day that one nurse...
5 Reasons to do Kangaroo Care with Your Baby
If you're in the NICU, chances are your medical team will encourage you to participate in skin-to-skin care with your baby, also known as kangaroo care. Kangaroo care has many positive benefits for both parents and babies, could result in a shorter NICU stay, and...
Dark Days of Depression After the NICU
I first read Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days last year when my then 4-year-old son brought it home from preschool and requested I read it to him. My Many Colored Days is children's book to help children understand the wide range of emotions all of us experience....
6 Reasons Your Baby Needs a Primary NICU Nurse
Are you a parent of a new baby that is likely to be in the NICU for a month or longer? Are you feeling helpless on how to support your son or daughter during their hour of greatest need? If your answers to the above questions are “yes,” then getting a primary NICU...
7 Preeclampsia Symptoms Every Pregnant Woman Should Watch For
Preeclampsia can develop quickly. That's what happened to me. Looking back I had many of the signs and symptoms leading to a placental abruption and HELLP syndrome. I wish I had known what to look for because I would have gone straight to my OB. Instead I took an...
Take Part in #RealMotherhood for Maternal Mental Health Week
April 30 - May 4, 2018, organizations around the US are breaking the myths of motherhood with the inaugural Maternal Mental Health Week, created by The Blue Dot Project. Getting real about motherhood is healthy for everyone, especially the 1 in 5 women who...
FAQs: Preemies and IVs in the NICU
When your baby is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a dedicated medical team quickly begins a number of procedures to ensure your baby is receiving the care they need. One of the procedures your preemie is likely to experience is IV therapy for...
We Love Our Volunteers! National Volunteer Week, April 15 – 21
This week is National Volunteer Week! Volunteers are essential to our organization, and Hand to Hold simply could not function effectively without them. Volunteer Peer Mentors provide the backbone for our successful peer support network. Community volunteers assist...
Celebrate a NICU Mom This Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day can be a very emotional day for NICU parents, parents of preemies, and those who have suffered a loss. Some will be celebrating at home with their newly-discharged baby. Some are years out from their NICU experience, having tucked several Mother’s Days...
Self Care in the NICU
The NICU can feel overwhelming, so much so, that self care goes by the wayside. Here's the thing about self care, we can't take care of our baby/babies if we aren't taking care of ourselves. This doesn't mean we have to do it all ourselves, but it does mean that we...