NICU Helping Hands is a life raft for many of our NICU families. No family anticipates a stay in the NICU when they plan for the arrival of their baby and it can be very difficult to adjust to that change in the plan. NICU Helping Hands does an excellent job providing emotional support for our families and walks alongside them as they navigate their way through the ups and downs of the NICU. Through support groups, sibling hours, and a wide range of other activities I have seen NICU Helping Hands help moms and dads explain what is happening with their new baby to their older children and the rest of the family in ways that encourage hope, healing and joy. NICU Helping Hands helps our families feel whole again.
Susan Sward, MD Baylor All Saints Medical Center September 25, 2015
My daughter Lilliana was born January 19th, 2012 at 31 weeks and weighing 3 lbs, 3 oz. Needless to say my husband and I were caught off guard and felt unprepared because she was born two months early. Believe me when I say we were not prepared one bit for what was coming up in our NICU journey. When she was born we knew we would have to face some obstacles, luckily we came across Brent Dore from NICU Helping Hands. I remember meeting him while I was on bed rest in the hospital, then running into him while we were in the NICU visiting Lilliana. Brent was always so caring and very informative regarding updates and information pertaining to our concerns.
I believe NICU Helping Hands helped us out in more ways that one, always keeping us up to date on events and informative gatherings. We were fortunate enough to attend a class on safe sleep and it was very helpful and informative. They were able to answer all our questions and concerns as well as educate us on key issues related to sleep. The interaction with NICU Helping Hands was impressive and we were blessed to have that program available to us from the beginning. I believe it would have made for a totally different experience without their support. They were our backbone when we needed them and we were very fortunate their support was always available and very genuine even when we were checked out of the hospital.
Thank you for all you do NICU Helping Hands and continue doing a great work!
Sofia Saucillo Mother to Lilliana Saucillo (31w) September 25, 2015
After my son was born at 26 weeks, 5 days, NICU Helping Hands helped me tremendously. During my son’s 84-day stay at the NICU at Baylor All Saints Medical Center I found a support system through NICU Helping Hands. It was a joy everyday to see Brent and have someone that would ask about my son William and how he was doing. Not only that but NICU Helping Hands provided me the chance to interact with other families who shared similar experiences as me.
By attending weekly events hosted by NICU Helping Hands I found release from the stress of dealing with the ups and downs related to my son’s medical issues. I was able to encourage new families just starting the NICU journey as well as receive encouragement and advice from veteran families. I am so thankful for NICU Helping Hands. It really made all the difference in the world during my son’s NICU stay.
Olivia Sanders Mother to William Sanders (26w5d) September 25, 2015
NICU Helping Hands has been a tremendous benefit to our NICU. They have touched families in a multitude of ways ranging from specific, special topical education on breastfeeding, infant massage or discharge resources to simple, but valued, hand holding at the bedside. In addition, they have provided opportunities for our staff to become increasingly and acutely aware of the needs of our families and have allowed us the opportunities to become better caretakers through communication and education.
Michele Miller, M.S., CCC-SLP Baylor All Saints Medical Center September 25, 2015
While our 25 weeker, Beckett, was in the NICU, my husband and I attended parent education sessions hosted by NICU Helping Hands to learn more about how to best care for our preemie. These regular support meetings met our basic needs by serving us a meal, our social needs by connecting us with other preemie parents, and our emotional needs by giving us a break from the sound of the alarms and monitors! Some of the topics included infant nutrition, signs of over-stimulation in my preemie, infant massage, and how to prepare for RSV season. Our program facilitator checked in with us often, offering one-on-one support. It was such a good feeling having another advocate, aside from the amazing nurses and doctors, who really cared and wanted to walk along side our NICU journey. After our sweet Beckett came home, NICU Helping Hands provided resources for me pertaining to transitioning from pumping to breastfeeding, from neonatologist to pediatrician, questions about acid reflux, as well as advice for working with the local therapies that Beckett would need.
Mandy Gramkow Preemie Mama to Ellie (27w6d) and Beckett (25w) September 25, 2015