NICU Babies Parent Support

Hand to Hold
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The NICU is hard. We're here to help. Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby's NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold: Facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold YouTube: @handtohold

  1. 6D AGO

    S10 E136: What I Wish I Knew About…Medical Billing ft. Jules Nowak

    If you've ever felt overwhelmed by a medical bill, this episode is for you. Jules Nowak—NICU parent and founder of The Medical Bill Academy—talks about the often-overlooked financial side of a NICU stay. From surprise bills to navigating insurance denials, Jules shares her personal journey through a 73-day NICU experience and the lessons that inspired her to help other families protect their financial health.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Jules Nowak Instagram  |  Website   🔗 to resources 4 Simple Steps to Save on Medical Bills Dollar For Episode 97: What you Need to Know about Medical Billing & Insurance ft. Kelley Coleman Episode 98: Should I Pay that Medical Bill? ft. Marshall Allen   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    44 min

  2. OCT 29

    S10 E135: What I Wish I Knew About…Child Loss & Grief ft. Amber Smith

    In this deeply moving episode, Amber Smith, wife to Granger Smith, shares her journey through unimaginable loss after the passing of her son River and how she found light in the midst of profound grief. We talk about honoring River's memory, navigating marriage and parenting through sorrow, and what healing really looks like—beyond clichés and expectations. Amber's honesty offers comfort, perspective, and hope to anyone walking through grief or supporting someone who is.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Amber Smith Instagram  |  Facebook  |  YouTube  |  Website  |  Book   🔗to resources Book: "The Girl on the Bathroom Floor"   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    28 min

  3. OCT 15

    S10 E134: What I Wish I Knew About…NICU Nurses ft. Nurse Tori

    NICU nurse and content creator Tori Meskin (aka Nurse Tori) sheds light on the unique role of NICU nurses and what families should really know during their baby's NICU journey. We talk about building trust in high-stress moments, common parent fears, and how nurses support both tiny patients and their loved ones through it all. Whether you're a current NICU parent or just want to understand more, this conversation offers honesty, insight, and hope.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Nurse Tori Instagram  |  Facebook  |  TikTok  |  YouTube  |  Podcast  |  Website   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    40 min

  4. OCT 1

    S10 E133: What I Wish I Knew About…Raising Twins (One with Down Syndrome) ft. Missy Haughery

    Twin and special needs mom Missy Haughery shares her journey of raising twins—one with Down syndrome—and the lessons she wishes she'd known from the start. She is as candid about the struggles, in parenthood and marriage, as she is about the lessons and the joy. It all helped shape the family she loves. If you've ever gotten a diagnosis that feels overwhelming, you'll be empowered by Missy's story of encouragement, perspective, and practical advice for parents navigating a similar path.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Missy Haughery Instagram  |  Website   🔗Links to resources Do Right movie The Bell Center of Alabama Down Syndrome Alabama   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    32 min

  5. SEP 17

    S10 E132: What I Wish I Knew About…Being a Military NICU Family ft. Taneisha Stamps

    The NICU and the military share common feelings of isolation, mental health challenges like  PTSD, and dependence upon friends and co-workers for support. In this week's episode, NICU military mom Taneisha Stamps shares her experience of being in the NICU with her son while their family was on a military base, far from home and family. She tenderly shares her struggles, how they faced them and when she knew they needed to reach out for assistance and help. It's a powerful episode and an especially poignant one for every NICU military family.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    30 min

  6. SEP 3

    S10 E131: What I Wish I Knew About…Organizing & Storing Photos ft. Miss Freddy

    Professional photo organizer Miss Freddy addresses the emotional and logistical challenges of capturing and storing photos during a NICU stay. In this episode, we discuss what we wish we had known earlier—from organizing photos of hard days, how albums can minimize the trauma and magnify the good days so it feels manageable, not overwhelming. Miss Freddy shares how photos can be both a healing tool and a powerful way to honor a NICU journey.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Miss Freddy: Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website  |  Courses   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    40 min

  7. AUG 27

    S10 E130: Season 10: What I Wish I Knew ft. Kathryn Whitaker

    Season 10 is here! What I Wish I Knew dives deep into the wisdom and hard-won life lessons parents and experts learned and now want to pass along to you. Our guest lineup includes a diverse group including a NICU nurse, pediatrician, special needs mom, bereaved mom, billing expert, birth trauma expert, twin mom, military NICU mom, and a professional photo organizer. Each episode highlights practical tips, emotional wisdom, and critical support for navigating life during and after a NICU stay. From understanding hospital bills to processing grief and trauma, season 10 brings honesty, empowerment and hope to NICU families. The guidance you wish you had from the start, is here.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    6 min

  8. MAY 28

    S9 E129: How Art Helped me Heal ft. Savannah O'Malley

    As NICU parents, we're all healing from a trauma. So when today's guest, Savannah O'Malley, sought her own healing she found it in a beautiful place, her art. And that healing didn't just benefit her own stories but the stories of thousands more NICU families. Listen in as Savannah shared how her gift is helping other families feel seen, and loved.   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website   💚 Connect with the guest, Savannah O'Malley: Instagram  |  Facebook  |  TikTok  |  YouTube  |  Website   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

    32 min
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About

The NICU is hard. We're here to help. Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby's NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold: Facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold YouTube: @handtohold

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