NICU Family Support Packages contain an assortment of items to help families acclimate to life in the NICU.  Items that were chosen for the packages were recommended by families that have spent time in the NICU.  The packages may not all be the same.  We will always have our "NICU Staples" on hand.  But the other items included are based largely on donations.  The packages include helpful items for the Preemie, the parents and siblings.

NICU Diary® - A Journal for Preemie babies was designed especially for moms and dads who have babies in the NICU. Social Workers and nurses often encourage parents to keep a daily journal. They know this can be a stressful time for you, or at the very least a change in your birth plans. This is your baby and every little bit of progress he or she makes will be important. The NICU Diary® gives you places to write weight gains, feeding changes, tests, oxygen needs and much more. You even have your own space for thoughts, feelings, and little notes. The NICU diary® records your baby's special start in life and gives you a treasured keepsake for years to come.  Includes a gram conversion chart and a page to graph weekly progress.

This book holds a special place in Karen's heart.  While her son was in the NICU, an anonymous donor delivered these books to each baby on the Unit.  As the parent of a Preemie, you do not get to hold and snuggle your newborn like most other parents do.  But reading to your Preemie has been shown to help create a bonding experience when holding your Preemie is not possible.  Studies have shown that babies and toddlers that are read to have increased brain function and babies and children that are exposed to books have a higher likelihood of future learning and literacy.

Preemie clothes are hard to find.  And if you unexpectedly find yourself in the NICU with a Preemie, you are likely unprepared.  Your Preemie's NICU staff will let you know when your Preemie is stable enough to wear clothes - in some cases, this is weeks or months.  This Preemie NICU wrap was specially designed with the unique needs of Preemies in mind.  There are a lot of tubes and wires and any clothing for your Preemie needs to not interfere with the NICU staff's ability to attend to them.  The wrap comes in two sizes - 0 to 3 pounds and 4 to 6 pounds.  Not only is it nice to have an outfit that is yours, it will make a great keepsake.  In special cases, and when in stock, we will include a hand made item (sweater, hat, leggings, booties, etc).

One of those things you really don't think about...but a Preemie family will likely be spending a lot of time in the NICU.  You can have beverages in the NICU as long as they are in a cup with a tightening lid.  Many NICU families go weeks without know this fun little fact.