The NICU journey is a marathon, not a sprint.

Charlotte was born at 25 weeks; weighing 1 lb. 11.9 oz. Our NICU journey was unique as Charlotte’s premature birth was not related to a medical condition. Still to this day, we have no answer as to why it happened. We feel that this made it even a more emotional journey as we couldn’t explain to our family or friends. We started to blame ourselves for it. However, we learned along the way that this wasn’t our fault. We had to accept the fact that everything was on “Charlotte’s time”.

The NICU journey is a marathon and not a sprint. We learned to trust the nurses, respiratory therapists, dietitians, and neonatologists as if they were a part of our family caring for our child. Setting a consistent visiting schedule, calling as much as it was needed, decorating the room and watching Charlotte on the Nicview cam is what helped us to get through the long days.

To dads of NICU babies; spend alone time with your baby when mom isn’t available or needs a break. Help with breast milk runs as much as possible. You’ll be amazed at how much this makes you feel connected when you have a feeling that there is “only so much you can do”! Where there is hope, there is faith, where there is faith, miracles happen! 149 days later, Charlotte was strong enough to come home.  She is now a healthy and thriving 2.5 year old toddler!