Resources
The NICU Community is an amazing supportive one that is working hard to ensure no family goes through this journey alone. We are grateful to connect with partners that help in our mission to connect, support and celebrate those family going through a NICU Experience. If you have a resource that has been helpful to you to nominate for our list, email us here.
Financial Assistance for NICU Families
The Colette Louise Tisdahl Foundation aims to improve outcomes of pregnancy, childbirth, infancy, and prematurity, as well as assist in the grieving process through financial assistance, education, and advocacy.
The hospitalization of a baby in the NICU can leave a family financially unprepared. If you are a current NICU family experiencing financial difficulty we may be able to assist you through our gift card program. NICU Helping Hands’ gift card program provides assistance with grocery, restaurant, and gas expenses.
NICU & Beyond Feeding Support
Primrose Newborn Care
Dr. Madden is one of the first physicians in the U.S. to offer in-home neonatology follow-up visits. She is well-versed in the care of all newborns, including those born prematurely. Dr. Madden works around new parents’ schedules and can visit homes anytime from early morning until late at night. She diagnoses newborn problems, such as jaundice and poor weight gain, and maternal problems, such as postpartum depression, and intervenes quickly to prevent complications such as hospital readmission. After the initial home visit she is available to clients for ongoing follow-up via phone calls, text messages, video calls, and repeat home visits. She maintains contact with her clients' pediatricians via phone calls and/or written reports after every visit.
Madison Hendry Bio:
Madison Hendry is the owner of Mama Bird Mother Infant Care. She is a Certified Breastfeeding Educator (BAI), Birth Doula and Kangaroula. A Kangaroula is an expert in Kangaroo Mother Care. Madison has trained with Jill & Dr. Nils Bergman, one of the founders of Kangaroo Mother Care and focuses on the first 1,000 seconds, 1,000 minutes and 1,000 hours after birth to advocate for the baby and support the parents as they learn and respond to their baby's biological needs.
As a past NICU mother, Madison's passion for birth work began after the premature birth of her second baby. Since then, Madison has supported hundreds of mothers all over the world! She is dedicated to protecting the mother infant relationship by providing in-home and virtual perinatal and lactation education and support. Madison is a working artist, in which her works on motherhood have been internationally exhibited including the Mother Art Prize at Cromwell Place in London. She is also the Founder of The Cleveland Kangaroula Collective, NICU Family Scholarship, Mama Bird Group Chat, and Ohio Breastfeeding Alliance Member.
Madison is a proud mother of 3 (2 preemies) and lives in Cleveland, OH.
Postpartum Support International
The mission of Postpartum Support International is to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide.
It is the vision of PSI that every woman and family worldwide will have access to information, social support, and informed professional care to deal with mental health issues related to childbearing. PSI promotes this vision through advocacy and collaboration, and by educating and training the professional community and the public.
Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement
POEM is the Ohio chapter of Postpartum Support International (PSI), the leading authority on perinatal mental health.
We are Ohio moms who have survived prenatal/postpartum depression (PPD) or anxiety so we understand like no one else can. We had thoughts that scared and shamed us. We blamed ourselves. We doubted ourselves. We felt weighed down by all the “shoulds” of motherhood.
Some of us had a hard time finding help. That’s why we started POEM, where we volunteer our time to help moms like you who are experiencing the most common complication of childbirth.
It’s okay to reach out for help. That’s why we’re here.
Preeclampsia
Our Purpose is to improve the outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by educating, supporting and engaging the community, improving healthcare practices, and finding a cure.
We envision a world where hypertensive disorders of pregnancy no longer threaten the lives of mothers and their babies.
NICU Parent Network
NICU Parent Network is a network of organizations offering support to families of premature infants. We are the only professional association for NICU Parent Leaders in the United States. NPN provides a platform for NICU Parent Leaders to come together as a collective voice representing the needs and best interests of NICU families in all facets of healthcare policy, care guidelines, advocacy, education & family support.
Bereavement Support
NICU Helping Hands’ Angel Gown® Program began in 2013 because we recognized there was an overwhelming need for better support for families who lost a baby. Our Angel Gown® Program provides comfort for bereaved families through the gift of a beautiful custom made gown for final photos and for burial services. We provide support resources and mentoring programs for bereaved families as well. There is no greater gift that can be given to a grieving family than affirming the importance of the life of their child by offering the simple gift of our Angel Gown® Garments and supporting them emotionally and educationally afterwards.
M.E.N.D.- Bereavement Support
M.E.N.D. is here to provide hope and healing through your journey after the loss of your baby. M.E.N.D. (Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death) is a Christian, non-profit organization that reaches out to families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death. We publish free bi-monthly magazines, hold commemorative ceremonies, and host a variety of support groups throughout the nation. M.E.N.D. is a place for families to connect, share their unique story of loss, and learn to live life without your precious baby. Together we are breaking down the barriers associated with the isolation and sadness of pregnancy and infant loss as we strive to turn our children's lives into legacies. Get Support.
Carter's Cause Foundation was created in honor of our son Carter
to support others going through the NICU or loss journey. Our hope is to help NICU parents navigate the difficult journey ahead, provide resources to parents who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child, and resources for family and friends who don't know what to do for a loved one who has just lost a child. Carter's Cause is being created to do just that and more.
If we could hold the hand of everyone experiencing loss or the NICU journey, we would.
Podcasts
Hand To Hold Podcast Series
Hand To Hold offers several different podcasts for NICU families. Check them out!
Dear NICU Mama, Podcast
Empowering NICU Parents Podcast
National Perinatal Association
NPA brings together people who are interested in perinatal care to share to listen and learn from each other.
Our diverse membership is comprised of healthcare providers, parents & caregivers, educators, and service providers - all driven by their desire to support and advocate for babies and families at risk across the country.
Our shared purpose is to give voice to the needs of pregnant people, infants, their families, and their healthcare providers so that collectively we can have the greatest positive impact on perinatal care in the United States.
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
Mission: To be the professional voice that shapes neonatal nursing through excellence in practice, education, research, and professional development
Red Treehouse- Ronald Mcdonald Family Resource
Redtreehouse.org, a program of Ronald McDonald House® of Cleveland, Inc., has been serving families across Ohio since 2011.Coverage of Pennsylvania and West Virginia has been made possible through collaboration with Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, Inc.
March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We believe that every baby deserves the best possible start. Unfortunately, not all babies get one. We are changing that.