Introduction
In our previous episode, Edward Steinhauser shared the heartfelt story of his son Cooper’s unexpected premature delivery and his time in the NICU. Edward opened up about the emotional challenges they endured throughout Cooper’s time in the NICU and the difficult decisions surrounding Cooper’s end of life. The experience Edward and his wife Haley went through ultimately inspired the creation of the Cooper Steinhauser Foundation. Listen to Episode 61.
In this episode, Edward shares more about the foundation which provides crucial support and resources for NICU families and staff, helping them navigate their unique challenges with compassion and strength. He discussed the value of being open and having meaningful conversations with your partner during such difficult times, and the importance of parental involvement in NICU care. Edward emphasized the often-overlooked role of fathers in the NICU, highlighting how crucial it is for dads to get involved in their baby’s care. From asking questions, participating in rounds, and finding ways to bond with their child, Edward emphasized that fathers need to take an active and essential role in supporting both their child and their partner during this critical time.
Edward’s vulnerable and insightful storytelling reveals the challenges and heartache they faced and how they transformed their grief into an enduring legacy for Cooper.
We’ll explore the impactful work of the Cooper Steinhauser Foundation, which is driven by three pillars of stewardship: Cooper Cares, Cooper Gives, and Cooper Strong.
Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights the strength of the NICU community, ways you can get involved, and how we can all make a difference for NICU families. Stay tuned and let’s empower NICU families together.
We’ll discuss the importance of being open and having meaningful conversations with your partner during such difficult times, as well as explore their foundation’s impactful work, the importance of fathers taking an active role in their child’s care, and how we can all make a difference for families in need.
Episode Sponsors:
Dr. Brown’s Medical
Dr. Brown’s Medical strives to deliver valuable infant feeding products and programs to support parents and professionals in providing positive feeding experiences for the infants in their care. Traditional feeding products and practices in the NICU are inconsistent and can result in poor feeding outcomes.
Dr. Brown’s® unique Dr. Brown’s® Zero-Resistance™; nipples with reliable flow rates; and The Infant-Driven Feeding™ are evidence-based, standard-of-care practices that improve infant feeding outcomes.
The team at Dr. Brown’s Medical is available to provide support for you and your team to help achieve best-practice results. They provide 4 free webinars every year on various infant feeding topics and offer continuing education hours for Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-language Pathologists.
To learn more or speak with Dr. Brown’s Medical team, click HERE.
Our NICU Roadmap
Our NICU Roadmap is the only NICU journal parents will need. Our journal is a great resource for NICU parents with educational content, answers to many of their questions, a full glossary plus specific areas to document their baby’s progress each day while in the NICU. Our NICU Roadmap equips parents with questions to ask their baby’s care team each day as well as a designated place to keep track of their baby’s weight, lab values, respiratory settings, feedings, and the plan of care each day. Most importantly, Our NICU Roadmap guides parents and empowers them so they can confidently become and remain an active member of their baby’s care team.
Our NICU Roadmap is available for purchase on Amazon or contact us at empoweringnicuparents@yahoo.com to order in bulk at a discounted price for your hospital or organization.
Click HERE for additional information and images of Our NICU Roadmap.
Newborn Holiday Cards
Celebrate every one of your baby’s first holidays with these beautiful, unique holiday cards. There is a card for every major and minor holiday so you will not miss capturing the perfect photo opportunity during your baby’s first year!
Each uniquely designed card is 5 x 5 and will make the perfect photo prop as you celebrate all of your baby’s first holidays! The cards are downloadable, so you can get them right away!
At Petunia Picklebottom, they delight in the small details and focus on the evolving needs and demands placed on parents by creating a fearless sense of style, function, quality, and sophistication in everything they create. From bags to backpacks, diaper bags, crossbodies, spacious totes, shoulder bags, all the way down to minimalist clutches and versatile accessories, you’ll be ready for any outing, from baby to beyond.
Episode 62
Our Guest
Edward Steinhauser
Edward Steinhauser is the co-founder, and president of the Cooper Steinhauser Foundation and a middle school principal. After graduating from Boston College with a BA in History, he earned his Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Long Beach. Edward’s greatest joy is being a dad to Cooper (2) and Scotlynn (1), and husband to his wife, Haley.
The Cooper Steinhauser Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that supports families and NICU staff through parent care packages, direct funding to NICUs for medical needs and parent support, and resources for families so that they can navigate their NICU journey in a way that is supportive for them and their baby.
The Inspiration Behind the Cooper Steinhauser Foundation
Edward shared how the decision to start the foundation began while Cooper was still in the NICU. Early on, he and Haley realized that many of the challenges they faced were not unique, and they felt compelled to do something to make the experience easier for future NICU families. After Cooper passed away, they knew they wanted to honor his life and the impact he had by creating a foundation that would provide tangible support and resources to help families who might feel overwhelmed or alone during their NICU journey. Edward explained that the foundation was born out of a desire to give back, ensuring that no one else would have to face the NICU without the support they wished they had had.
The Mission of the Cooper Steinhauser Foundation
The foundation operates under three key pillars: Cooper Cares, Cooper Gives, and Cooper Strong.
– Cooper Cares: This initiative provides NICU families with care packages filled with essential items like toiletries, a journal, durable bags for transporting breast milk, and a baby outfit designed for NICU babies with medical lines and tubes. These bags are not only practical but also a symbol of support, letting families know that someone is thinking of them and understands their needs.
– Cooper Gives: Through this pillar, the foundation makes direct donations to NICUs, helping provide items the hospitals may not be able to fund. This includes things like specialized equipment, family-centered activities, and staff support. Edward explains how the foundation works closely with NICU teams to identify the needs that will make the most significant impact on families and babies.
– Cooper Strong: An initiative that advocates for blood donations, recognizing the critical role blood transfusions play in saving premature babies’ lives. With many NICU babies needing multiple transfusions and a shortage of suitable blood donors, the foundation raises awareness and organizes blood drives to ensure more babies get the life-saving blood they need.
The Importance of the Father’s Role in the NICU
Edward highlights a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the NICU experience—the role of fathers. He shares how fathers, like mothers, need to be actively involved in their baby’s care, from asking questions during rounds to bonding through touch and diaper changes. He emphasizes that fathers often feel distant or unsure of how to help, but their involvement is essential not only for the baby but also for supporting their partner. Whether it’s tracking medical updates, taking on practical caregiving tasks, or simply being present, fathers can make a significant difference in the NICU experience. Edward also talks about his own experience and how he found strength in becoming a more active part of Cooper’s care, learning that fathers, too, have an important role to play in their child’s journey through the NICU.
The Importance of Open Communication with Your Partner
Edward stressed how crucial it was for him and Haley to maintain open, honest conversations throughout their NICU experience. He explains that both parents often process trauma and grief differently, and being able to check in with one another regularly was key to their emotional survival.
NICU parents should feel empowered to express their feelings, fears, and needs to each other, as communication can help ensure both partners are supported emotionally. This openness strengthens the bond between parents and helps them navigate the roller coaster of emotions that come with having a critically ill child. Edward shared how he and Haley took turns being each other’s rock when one of them needed extra support, and how these conversations were vital for their emotional well-being, especially after Cooper passed away.
The NICU Warrior Walk
Edward discussed the inaugural “NICU Warrior Walk”, which will take place on September 8th in Long Beach, California. This event is not only a celebration of NICU babies, families, and healthcare staff but also serves as a fundraiser to help the foundation continue its vital work. He expressed excitement about bringing the NICU community together, creating a space where families can honor the strength of their little warriors, reconnect with healthcare teams, and share stories of hope, resilience, and remembrance for those babies who have passed. The walk aims to raise awareness and support for NICU families, ensuring that the Cooper Steinhauser Foundation can continue providing resources and advocacy for those in need.
Memorable Quotes From the Episode
– “Fathers need to have an active role in their child’s care, from asking questions during rounds to finding ways to bond with their baby.”
– “We couldn’t go through this experience with Cooper and not use it to help others. Our mission is to ensure that no NICU family feels alone or without the support they need.”
– “Being open and honest with your partner is essential during such a challenging time. You have to check in with each other and be willing to be vulnerable.”
The Cooper Steinhauser Foundation:
- Visit their website: CooperSteinhauser.org
- Information on the NICU Warrior Walk
- Follow the foundation on Instagram: @CooperSteinhauserFoundation
- Follow them on Twitter: @CSFoundation22
Donate or participate in the NICU Warrior Walk on September 8th in Long Beach, California, to help raise funds and awareness for NICU families.
Virtual Counseling and Therapy Options
We have A LOT more to get into so be sure to subscribe so you do not miss an episode!
iTunes
Spotify
Podcast Addict
Deezer
Podchaser
Google Podcasts
CastBox
