Love, Jessica

“Dear NICU Mama, As you navigate life after NICU, always remember your milestones too.

Remember the day your baby came off oxygen, fought off an infection, or moved out of the incubator. You got through.

Remember the moment your baby first wore clothes, came off the monitor, or drank milk without a tube. You hung on.

You waited for each of these moments with anticipation and fear. Remember how far your baby has come because you grew too.

Maybe you'll see a tiny pale scar on your baby, and you'll remember. Maybe you'll notice how tiny your baby still is, and you'll remember. Or maybe you'll drive past the hospital, and you'll remember.

The milestones left their mark on you too.

Look back on them with pride. Pride for your little miracle and pride for yourself. You birthed your baby and survived. You got through the darkest days. You powered through the loneliest nights. Your baby is a marvel, but you're equally as heroic.

Remember to praise yourself. Be proud. You were so strong. You're still so strong.”

Love,
Jessica

More of Jessica + Lucy’s NICU Journey:

“My daughter, Lucy, was born 12 weeks early due to severe preeclampsia. She weighed 1lbs 12oz. She was transferred to a different hospital 8 hours after she was born but came back to our local NICU 14 days later. Her total NICU stay was 60 days. She is now home and thriving!”