Blog
Hand to Hold’s Position Statement on Recent NEC Lawsuits
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a complicated and multifactorial disease that progresses rapidly in preterm and full term infants. The causes of NEC continue to be studied and researched by scientists and medical professionals. Hand to Hold supports the NEC...
New Mobile App inLieu Makes Giving Easy
It's often an unmet need that drives people to create something new, and it was no different when Austin's Kathy Terry thought of creating a mobile app that would make giving easy and meaningful. First, Terry was frustrated at the fact that she often felt obligated...
Life After Loss: How to Start Your Grief Journey
By Brittany Clay On April 4, 2016, I had an experience that I didn’t even realize happened to people. After days of being in pain, I went to the hospital, only to have my water break. The nurse told me I was in labor. “But ma’am, you must be mistaken. I’m only...
Meet the Professional: What Does a Patient and Family Advisor Do?
Oftentimes when families are discharged from the NICU, a part of their healing process includes a strong desire to give back to the NICU, their healthcare team and the hospital where they received care. More and more hospitals across the country are embracing...
What You Need to Know About Bringing a Baby Home on Oxygen
Bringing a baby home on oxygen may feel scary, but with a little practice you will learn quickly and feel empowered caring for your baby. Giving a baby extra oxygen involves a lot of monitoring, handling foreign equipment and stepping out of your comfort zone to...
The NICU Heroes Podcast is Here!
Hand to Hold believes that NICU parents are often just as fragile as their babies. Nurses are in a unique position to acknowledge and address many of the challenges families face during a NICU stay and beyond. Yet few NICUs offer staff education in optimal methods...
Celebrating your NICU Dad on Father’s Day + Free Printable for Dad
On a Saturday we sat in the NICU conference room listening to a doctor tell us our son would likely never walk, talk, or cognitively develop past the age of a five or six year old. The next day was Father’s Day. I did nothing to celebrate my husband. I was...
Everything is Together, Why Am I Falling Apart?
Cake – check. Party napkins, plates, cups – check. Cute invitations – check. Everything is together, so why am I falling apart? The first birthday of any child is reason for celebration, but when a baby is born preterm or with a special health care need, the first...
Is This Normal? How the NICU Impacts Your Emotional Health
Having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit is a traumatic experience. No one is ever really prepared. You have probably felt emotions during your baby’s NICU stay that you never imagined feeling. You have celebrated things you never knew you would and seen...
A 3-Step Guide to Recruiting a Primary NICU Nurse
Would you like a primary NICU nurse for your baby but are unsure how to get one? Here is a three-step process for identifying and recruiting a top-notch nurse to be your baby's primary caregiver.
Essential Baby Gear for Preemies
Planning and preparing for the arrival of a new baby is an exciting time. Many expectant parents spend a great deal of time and money stocking their homes with the latest and greatest gadgets to make caring for a little one easier. But when the birth of a baby...