Blog
Hand to Hold Letter Series: A Hand to Hold for the Foster/Adoptive Parents Navigating a NICU Stay
Dear Foster/Adoptive NICU Parent, If you’re reading this, you’re embarking on a journey filled with emotions, uncertainties, and profound love. Whether you’ve been preparing for this moment for months or have suddenly found yourself in the NICU, plunged into a...
The Importance of Prenatal Breastfeeding Support for Black Moms
in partnership with Mama Sana Vibrant Woman An important key to breastfeeding success for Black women is education and support, particularly in the prenatal period. Waiting until a problem or challenge arises to figure out what to do only increases a mom's chance...
The Breastfeeding Support Black Moms Need
in partnership with Black Mamas ATX. Black Breastfeeding Week is August 25 - 31. When we talk about disparities in breastfeeding rates between Black moms and white moms, we also learn about the challenges that befall many Black women when it comes to breastfeeding:...
The Roller Coaster of Breastfeeding in the NICU
Photo by: Jessie Threlkeld When my daughter was born eight weeks early, it was such a shock and surprise for my husband and me. I had always envisioned having a calm, peaceful birth and directly being able to breastfeed our daughter. That wasn’t our story. Bree was...
Breastfeeding, Donor Milk & COVID-19
How does COVID-19 affect breastfeeding mothers, those who want to donate milk, or those who need donor milk for their baby? When it comes to having a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic, many questions have arisen about breastfeeding. Is it safe to breastfeed if I...
{Professional Insight} The Benefits of Infant Massage
Infant massage cam help parents bond with baby in and out of the NICU. NICU Occupational Therapist Tracey Kondrasuk-Brander gives her tips for successful infant massage.
Prematurity, a Pandemic and a Second Pregnancy
When you’re planning out your life, you never think that having a premature baby could shake your confidence on all future choices, but it does. I knew that when I started my family I would want two kids, so they could grow up together and be best friends...
How NICUs Have Adapted During COVID-19
Having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is difficult and stressful at any time. Having a baby in the NICU during COVID-19 only amplifies those feelings of fear and uncertainty as parents worry about what will happen if they get sick, or if they or...
Diaper Dermatitis in Preemies
One of the most common skin disorders for infants is diaper dermatitis, normally referred to as diaper rash. NICU babies are even more at risk for this condition since their skin is often not fully developed at the time of birth. It's a condition to take seriously...
FAQs: Sunscreen & Babies
UPDATED JULY 2020 This page contains affiliate links. Hand to Hold only recommends products we’ve either personally checked out ourselves or come from people we know and trust. For doing so, Hand to Hold may receive a commission, which helps us fund the development...
Preemie Skin in the NICU
Our skin has many important functions. It plays an important role in sensation and tactile feeling (touch is the first sense to develop). It serves as a barrier to water loss in the body. Our skin also prevents irritants and toxins from entering the body and helps...