NICU Awareness Month

September is NICU Awareness Month, which I find is a great time to bring awareness to the scope of the problem of prematurity, to support parents of preemies, and also to recognize all those who dedicate their lives to helping babies in the NICU. This includes not only neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs), and NICU nurses, but also respiratory therapists, nutritionists, NICU pharmacists, social workers, discharge planners, pediatric sub-specialists, and therapists (including physical, occupational, speech and music). I am so appreciative of all that you do to help me take care of my NICU babies year-round!

I am also focusing this month on encouraging NICU/preemie moms to trust their intuition when it comes to their babies--emphasizing that if they are worried about their baby that they should definitely have him or her checked out by their pediatrician. And that it never hurts to be careful and cautious. Many thanks to Project Preemie for partnering up with me to help get the word out about the importance of trusting one's maternal (and paternal) instincts.