Having a baby in the NICU can be an unexpected and life changing experience. It can be helpful to receive support from organizations dedicated to support families with babies in the NICU. Here is a list of several organizations that provide support for NICU parents.
Hand to Hold:
- Provides support for parents of premature babies, full term babies requiring NICU care, babies born with special care needs.
- Offers:
- Peer Mentor Program. Matches new NICU parents, based on their specific needs, to seasoned NICU parents who receive training and support from Hand to Hold.
- Free Virtual Support Groups via Zoom. Provides support for parents at all stages of the NICU journey. There are several support groups that meet at different times during the week.
- Podcasts:
- NICU Now – for families currently on the NICU journey
- Beyond the NICU – for families after discharge from the NICU
- NICU Dad Discussions – for NICU dads
- NICU Love and Loss – specific podcasts for bereaved NICU families
- Blogs. Various blogs with helpful discussions for common experiences among NICU parents
- Sibling Support. Provides information and tips for supporting siblings during the NICU experience
Graham’s Foundation:
- Provides support for parents of premature infants
- Offers:
- Preemie Parent Mentor. Matches new NICU parents, based on their specific needs, to seasoned NICU parents of premature infants
- Graham’s Foundation NICU Support Facebook Group. Provides support for parents at all stages of the NICU journey via a moderated Facebook group
Project Sweet Peas:
- Provides support for parents of premature babies, full term babies requiring NICU care, babies born with special care needs.
- Offers:
- NICU Family Navigations and Support Facebook Group. Provides support for parents at all stages of the NICU journey via a moderated Facebook group
- Food and Fuel Financial Assistance Program. Families can apply for funds to help cover the costs of meals and travel while caring for their infant in the NICU
Superhero Project:
- Provides families with opportunities to purchase special items for their baby to celebrate their baby's milestones during their time in the NICU and also provides opportunities for other family members to donate to projects that support parents while their infant is in the NICU.
Postpartum Support International:
- Free
- Offers therapy in many languages
- Broad range of help for both fathers and mothers
Penn Medicine Beyond Birth Program:
- Offers no cost virtual weekly drop in parent support groups, birth trauma recovery groups and if interested, regular follow up phone calls to provide assessment and therapeutic support, while connecting you to relevant community services and resources.
- Email BeyondBirth@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or call 215-829-5046 to get connected
Emotional Support Resources
- Community Resources -- View our list of local and national Drug and Alcohol, Mental Health, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking organizations.