15 APR 2024 · On the Empowering NICU Parents' Podcast, we are dedicated to supporting you through every step of your NICU journey. Hosted by NICU parent Nicole Nyberg, this episode is packed with essential tips and insights to ensure you're prepared each time you head into the NICU to spend time with your baby!   Drawing from her own experience of spending three months in the NICU, Nicole shares a comprehensive guide on what to pack in your daily NICU bag. From self-care items like toothbrushes and lip balm to practical essentials like chargers and NICU journals, Nicole covers everything you need to navigate your NICU journey with ease.   She also spotlights tips on what to pack to make your meaningful kangaroo care sessions comfortable as well as insights into what you need to pack to ensure successful pumping or breastfeeding sessions, from hands-free bras to hydration tips.   So, join Nicole on the Empowering NICU Parents' Podcast as we prioritize your well-being and equip you with everything you need to navigate the NICU journey with confidence and resilience. Tune in now and get ready to become empowered! Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com   Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/   NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/   NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/   Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/   Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/   Episode 58 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode56   Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/   Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents   Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

19 FEB 2024 · In this insightful podcast episode, we explore the challenges faced by families with infants in the NICU. Your host, Nicole Nyberg is an experienced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and NICU parent, who shares insights from her personal experience along with anecdotes from other NICU parents. Join us as we explore ways to offer unwavering support through practical gestures of kindness, from meal trains and transportation assistance to thoughtful gifts that cater to the unique needs of NICU parents. We'll also discuss the importance of emotional support, recognizing the profound impact of simply being present and listening without judgment. Furthermore, we'll spotlight some innovative NICU-specific products designed to empower parents in documenting their infant's journey and celebrating milestones along the way. From NICU journals to milestone cards and specialized clothing for kangaroo care, these thoughtful gifts offer both practical utility and emotional solace to families navigating the NICU experience. Whether you're a friend or family member seeking guidance on supporting a loved one in the NICU or a NICU parent looking for ideas to share with your loved ones, you have come to the right place! Together, let's foster a community of compassion and support for NICU families, ensuring they feel empowered, understood, and surrounded by love throughout their NICU journey and beyond. Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 57 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode56 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

19 GEN 2024 · 🌟 Unveiling the Untold Story: Marijuana & Pregnancy Podcast 🌿✨ Your host is a Neontal Nurse Practitiction who dives deep into groundbreaking research on marijuana's impact during pregnancy and breastfeeding in this eye-opening podcast, proudly sponsored by Dr. Brown’s Medical. Whether you're an expecting mom, a dedicated healthcare professional, or a caring family member, this episode is your key to unlocking valuable insights. 🔍 What are the short and long-term effects on mothers, growing fetuses, infants, children, and their journey into adulthood after prenatal exposure? 🤰 Gain critical knowledge for moms planning pregnancy or currently pregnant. 👶 Understand the implications for breastfeeding moms using marijuana. Share the knowledge, spark conversations! 🔥💬 #MarijuanaRevelations #HealthRevolution #ParentingInsights💡 🎧🚀 #PodcastJourney #MarijuanaResearch #ParentingInsights #HealthAndWellness 🌈✨ Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 56 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode56 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

24 NOV 2023 · November is Prematurity Awareness Month! During the month of November, we reflect on all of the the premature infants born each and everyday, the clinicians who care for them, and the parents. Despite all of the latest technology and advances in healthcare, one in ten children are born prematurely in the United States. Additionally, infants born prematurely are more likely to have long-term academic difficulties, cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, and/or emotional and behavioral issues that will not only impact their life, but they also have a significant toll on the entire family. A practice that has repeatedly shown to improve both neonatal and parental outcomes depsite a preterm delivery, is early and consistent skin-to-skin care. The small action of assisting parents with immediate skin-to-skin care has a very BIG IMPACT! Obviously, every clinical situation is different, but when possible, infants should be skin-to-skin with their parents. The benefits of kangaroo care are endless and not just for the baby! Kangaroo care has shown benefits for homeostasis for preterm infants including maintaining a healthy body temperature and increased cardiorespiratory stabilization. The most substantial benefit of skin-to-skin care has been the increased volume of breast milk production by the mother resulting in a longer duration of breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin care promotes participation of both parents in caring for the infant, it strengthens the family role in caring for a fragile infant, and decreases the common feelings of helplessness which helps parents become more comfortable with their infant and more confident! It actually allows parents to nurture and care for their fragile infant. Listen now to hear all of the benefits of skin-to-skin care! Together we truly can make a difference in the lives of the infants and parents! Get ready to become empowered as we review the benefits of Kangaroo care in the NICU! Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 55 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode55 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

1 NOV 2023 · To close out Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, I sat down with Tasha Ruholl. Tasha was kind enough to openly share the losses and subsequent grief that she and her husband have endured. She speaks about how it was her grief that drove her to make a difference and help so many other families. Tasha wanted to give the gift of time to any other parents who have to endure the unimaginable path of losing a child by donating cuddle cots to 10 local hospitals. Additionally, she continues to honor their son, Daniel and their other 2 losses by working on the White Lily Project. Along with 3 other mothers who have endured loss, they are raising money to fund an Angel of Hope Statue. The Statue of Hope and healing garden will offer parents/family members who have experienced a pregnancy loss or the loss of an infant/child, a place to honor their loved one and find a sense of community with others who have experienced a similar tragedy. You will not want to miss this episode as we discuss loss and grief, and how beauty and light can be restored within you after enduring a completely unexpected tragedy. Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 54 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode54 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

25 OTT 2023 · There are some amazing organizations that help to support and provide valuable resources for bereaved and NICU families. Many parents who have had a child in the NICU as well as parents who have endured a pregnancy loss or the loss of an infant have felt led to give back to other families enduring the same experience. Using their personal experience, they have created a platform or organization to pay it forward so they can help other families. After our son William was home from the NICU, I felt driven to help other NICU families and I have been blessed to be able to do that in a variety of ways. For this podcast episode, I spotlight some incredible organizations that provide support and/or resources for families enduring a NICU journey, have a child with complex medical needs, disabilities, or those who will benefit from bereavement support. This is not to say you will want to connect with and utilize all of the resources mentioned today, but find the resources that are in sync with the type of information and support that you are looking for. Some of these companies only offer local support whereas others are available virtually on a national or international level. Many of the organizations have been around for many years whereas others are fairly new in the Neonatal and bereavement niche. My ultimate goal as a former NICU parent, NNP and someone who has endured loss, is for my listeners to find the appropriate support throughout your personal experience and I hope this podcast helps you do just that! So sit back and get ready to become empowered as we review some fantastic NICU and bereavement-based organizations! Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 53 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode52 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

25 SET 2023 · For our 52nd podcast episode, I was joined by Dr. Jess Daigle. She is a board-certified pediatrician and neonatal/pediatric hospitalist. Additionally, she is the proud mother of two premature infants, Liam and Avery. Her son Liam, was born at 31 weeks’ gestation and spent 5 weeks in the NICU. After her family’s personal experience in the NICU, she founded and is the CEO of Mom & Me, LLC which focuses on helping both mothers and infants thrive during the postpartum journey and beyond. Dr. Jess carries out her mission by offering local, in-home/virtual care services to newborns, with a particular focus on NICU babies. With the goal to support new mothers and ease their transition home, she also offers life coaching for NICU moms. Dr. Jess helps them navigate through their NICU journey so they can become the empowered, confident mom they deserve to be. Jess and I are both very passionate about empowering NICU parents to be present and engaged while their baby is in the NICU. She speaks about how her personal NICU experience changed her professionally and addresses why it is so beneficial for parents to advocate for their infants. We also discussed the many layers of NICU trauma and why it is so important to support families during the NICU journey and beyond. We share the importance of healthcare members being present, open, and intentional during their patient interactions and how going the extra mile will leave a lasting impression. Lastly, we close out the episode by speaking about how parental empowerment can not only positively shape a family’s NICU experience, but also provide better outcomes for the infant and entire family unit! You will not want to miss this episode! Sit back and get ready to be empowered! Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 52 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode52 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

8 SET 2023 · For our 51st podcast episode, I discussed a contensious topic in the neonatal world, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Although it is a common occurrence amongst all infants, the lack of updated, clear, and consistent diagnostic and management recommendations remains, especially for the NICU population. Due to my personal and professional experiences, it is difficult for me to have one solid stance on the topic. As a former NICU nurse, I saw so many infants experience reflux. As a NICU parent, my son William, struggled with reflux once we brought him home and yes, at that time, it was managed with medication. And finally, now as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, I am more knowledgeable about what the evidence does and does not show regarding reflux and I understand its complexity. So I can fully appreciate how nurses advocate for their patients. I also completely acknowledge the internal battle parents endure as they helplessly watch their baby grapple with reflux and its associated symptoms, and I also embrace what the research has shown and why providers do not hastily start infants on reflux medications. Tune in now to learn the difference between Gastroesophageal Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, some common symptoms, and how it is typically diagnosed. Be amazed as I debunk some of the common myths and conditions that are thought to be associated with GERD. Additionally, listeners will also walk away with a better understanding of the most up-to-date recommendations for the management of GER and GERD including non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments. So sit back and get ready to be empowered as we discuss Gastroesophageal Reflux. Free Resource: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/ger/ Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 51 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode51 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

17 AGO 2023 · To celebrate our 50th podcast episode, we wanted to honor and hear from our NICU heroes, the NICU graduates. You will hear from several NICU graduates with ages ranging from 5 years old, up to 36 years old. I was honored to be able to sit down with these amazing NICU graduates and learn their perspective, even from my very own NICU graduate as we debut our first official interview together. I spoke with NICU graduates that were born both term and preterm with a variety of diagnoses. It is so interesting to hear what they recall or what they’ve been told about their story from their point of view. You will not be able to help but smile as you hear some of the graduate’s sweet voices. I thoroughly hope you enjoy the episode and are enlightened as we highlight the NICU graduate’s viewpoint. Dr. Brown’s Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 50 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode50 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH

26 MAG 2023 · For the 49th episode on the Empowering NICU Parents’ Podcast, we review necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) which is a life-threatening newborn condition that involves ischemia and inflammation of the bowel. Necrotizing Enterocolitis is a complex disease that despite decades of research, is still not well understood. The evidence continues to support the concurrent presence of several factors that when combined with a trigger, may lead to a disruption of the normal intestinal bacterial flora followed by an altered inflammatory host response. On this episode, you will learn what factors place infants, especially premature infants, at an increased risk to develop NEC. The common clinical symptoms that infants present with once they develop NEC will be reviewed as well as when they are most likely to occur. Additionally, we touch on some of the subtle behavioral changes infants may display at the onset of the disease that are often most obvious to the parents. Next, the diagnostic tests and labs that are typically done once NEC is suspected will be reviewed followed by a description of the Bell staging system which is used to provide a more uniform clinical definition for NEC. The typical management for NEC will also be discussed, followed by a review of some of the common preventative measures that have been put into place in NICUs today to continue to decrease the incidence of NEC. We close out the episode discussing what the prognosis and mortality rate is for infants who have been diagnosed with NEC. The episode is a great overall review of NEC that will be beneficial for NICU parents and clinicians. Start listening now and get ready to be empowered! Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/ NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/ NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/ Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/ Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/ Episode 49 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode48 Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/ Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmH