September is for NICU Awareness Month
Every year, more than half-a-million families will be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This means that 1 in 8 families will experience the unique traumas and the unique joys that come with giving birth to a baby who has special healthcare needs.
Whether their baby’s stay is brief or long, uncomplicated or complex, a NICU stay changes how parents care for their infants and what their family's journey will look like as they transition to their life after the NICU.
NICU Awareness Month is about the babies, yes, but also the families and healthcare workers in the unit who are fighting right alongside the tiny patients.
The NICU is made up of babies born with a variety of health concerns, from premature birth, to organ defects, to swallowing meconium during labor. In a 2018 research study published in Pediatrics, Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 486,741 babies were admitted to the NICU from 2014 to 2016 of the 11,907,682 born. That means, around 13.6% of parents had to leave the hospital without their baby in their arms, putting their trust in the NICU staff to take care of them between visits.
Some organizations that support NICU families include:
National Perinatal Association
March of Dimes
Project Sweet Peas
Important Days to Remember include:
NICU Remembrance Day (Sept 26)
NICU Giving Day (Sept 27)
NICU Staff Recognition Day (Sept 28)
Sibling Support Day (Sept 29)
Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Day (Sept 30)
September: A Month for NICU Awareness 💪🏥
Did you know that every year, over half a million families find themselves in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)? That’s right, 1 in 8 families embarks on a journey filled with unique traumas and unparalleled joy, caring for babies with special healthcare needs.
During NICU Awareness Month, let’s honor the strength and resilience of these families.
Have you or someone you know experienced the NICU journey? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
If you’re a NICU parent in need of lactation support, don’t hesitate to book a Premier Pumping Consult with us. We’re here to provide the care and guidance you deserve.
Source:
Another organisation that supports NICU families is Bliss. They are a UK based charity although a lot of information on their site is general to how NICUs operate and the most common conditions babies are likely to need NICU care.