Podcast Show Notes – Empowering NICU Parents

Are you a parent of a NICU baby and feel lost, scared, confused, unsure, and alone? Or are you about to bring your baby home from the NICU and feel excitement, but yet uncertainty? I’ve got you! Listen to the podcast to hear medical information, interviews, and tips to help get you through this incredibly difficult journey. I have the unique perspective of not only being a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, but also a proud preemie mama to a former 23 weeker. I know exactly what it feels like be where you are and I am here to help! Thank you for joining us!

Episode #1: Get to Know Your Host

Episode #2: NICU Cast Members: Leading and Supporting Roles

Episode #3: Breaking Down the #1 Question of Every NICU Parent

Episode #4: Against All Odds: How Advocacy, Hope and a Positive Mindset Saved Mikaela’s Life

Episode #5: NICU Equipment From Head to Toe – What You Need to Know

Episode #6: Healing From a Broken Heart – Part I

Episode #7: Healing From a Broken Heart – Part II

Episode #8: Take a Deep Breath – Diving Into Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborns

Episode #9: Living Your Best Life With HIE

Episode #10: Ventilator Review in the NICU – What Does Positive Pressure, Volume-Targeted and High Frequency Do?

Episode #11: Non-Invasive Ventilation in the NICU – a Review of NIPPV, CPAP, HFNC, and LFNC too

Episode #12: Supporting Maternal Mental Health in the NICU – Are We Doing Enough?

Episode #13: Supporting Mental Health in the NICU – Are We Doing Enough? Part II

Episode #14: Kangaroo Care in the NICU: How Does it Benefit the Infant and Parents?

Episode #15: Kangaroo Care in the NICU: How to address the barriers, assess for readiness, and transfer the infant safely

Episode #16: Optimizing Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in NICU Patients with Occupational Therapy

Episode #17: Optimizing Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in NICU Patients with Occupational Therapy – Part II

Episode #18: Gestational Diabetes: From diagnosis in pregnancy to blood sugar management and its effect on the health of the mother and infant

Episode #19: Infant of Diabetic Mother: What are the potential complications and typical treatment plan?

Episode #20: Advice for Current NICU Parents from Mothers of Multiples

Episode #21: NICU Trauma – How Well Are You Coping?

Episode #22: Questions Parents Should Ask Their Baby’s NICU Care Team Each Day

Episode #23: Life After NICU With a Medically Complex Child: What is the Reality?

Episode #24: Life After NICU With a Medically Complex Child: What is the Reality? Part II

Episode #25: The Benefits of Reading to Your Baby in the NICU

Episode #26: Supporting Infant Mental Health in the NICU

Episode #27: The Positive Effects of Parental Engagement in the NICU

Episode #28: Parental Stress and Trauma in the NICU

Episode #29: Life Beyond HIE: A Mother’s Journey of Growth and Giving Back

Episode #30: The Positive Effects of Kangaroo Care: A Literature Review

Episode #31: Trauma-Informed Care in the NICU with Mary Coughlin

Episode #32: Elevated Bilirubin Levels in Infants: Why Does It Occur?

Episode #33: Elevated Bilirubin Levels in Infants: Screening and Management

Episode #34: Why are Term and Preterm Infants at an Increased Risk for Skin Injury?

Episode #35: Skin Care: Clinical Guidelines for the NICU

Episode #36: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Infants: A Review of Predisposing Factors, Preventative Measures, and Treatments

Episode #37: The Wolff Family’s Journey Through Loss, A Prolonged NICU Stay and What They Have Learned Along the Way

Episode #38: The Wolff Family’s Post NICU Journey Through Home Trach Care, Decannulation, and Unexpected Surprises Too

Episode #39: RSV in Infants and Children: Symptoms, Prevention, and Synagis Criteria

Episode #40: A Review of Venous and Arterial Lines Commonly Used in the NICU

Episode #41: Keeping an Eye on Your Angel in the NICU

Episode #42: A Review of the WHO Recommendations for the Care of Preterm or Low-Birth-weight Infant

Episode #43: A Review of the WHO Recommendations for Care of the Preterm or Low-Birth-Weight Infant – Part II

Episode #44: A Review of the WHO Recommendations for the Care of Preterm or Low-Birth-weight Infant – Part III

Episode #45: A Review of Cue-Based Feeding in the NICU

Episode #46: A Review of the Infant-Driven Feeding Program in the NICU

Episode #47: Breaking Down the Milk Expression and Breastfeeding Barriers Common to NICU Mothers

Episode #48: The Composition of Human Breast Milk: How Does Preterm, Term, and Donor Milk Vary?

Episode #49: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC): What causes it and How is it Managed in the NICU?

Episode #50: NICU Graduate Interviews

Episode 51: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in NICU Infants

Episode 52: Embracing Parental Advocacy and Empowerment in the NICU

Episode 53: Supportive Organizations and Resources for Bereaved and NICU Families

Episode 54: Finding the Beauty in Life After the Loss of a Child

Episode 55: The BIG and Positive Impacts of Skin-to-Skin Care in the NICU

Episode 56: Marijuana Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Is It Really A Big Deal?

Episode 57: Supporting NICU Families: Gift Ideas and Acts of Kindness

Episode 58: Daily Essentials for Your NICU Bag

Episode 59: Multiple Birth Awareness Month: A Mother’s Journey Through Infertility, Twin Pregnancy, the NICU, and Beyond

Episode 60: Nurturing and Supporting Mental Health in NICU Parents

Episode 61: Cooper’s NICU Journey: Honoring a Courageous Life Bolstered by Parental Strength

Episode 62: Cooper’s Legacy: Supporting NICU Families Through the Cooper Steinhauser Foundation

Episode 63: Stronger Together: Nicole Nyberg on NICU Challenges and Family

Episode 64: Navigating Life After the NICU: The Lasting Effects of Prematurity

Episode 65: Forced Apart: A NICU Family’s Heartbreaking Reality

Episode 66: Parenting Through Grief: A NICU Family’s Journey Through Loss, Love, and Healing

Episode 67: Understanding Cerebral Palsy: Guidance for NICU Families

Episode 68: HIE Beyond the Diagnosis: Navigating the NICU and Its Lifelong Impact

Episode 69: Intentional Care, Meaningful Outcomes: A Conversation on Feeding and Family Support in the NICU

Episode 70: Lived Experience, Lasting Purpose: A NICU Father’s Story with Dr. Michael Hynan

Episode 71: The Powerful Impact of Parental Engagement and Proper Nutrition in the NICU with Dr. Elliott

Episode 72: Bridging Gaps, Building Connections: The Infant Feeding Journey

Episode 73: Feeding with Confidence: Practical Strategies to Support Families in the Hospital and Beyond

Episode 74: Hope Against All Odds: Nash Keen’s Journey as the Most Premature Infant to Survive

Episode 75: Culture, Belief, and a Committed Team: The University of Iowa NICU Redefines What’s Possible

Episode 76: Wave of Light: Finding Light After Loss

Episode 77: The Lifelong Journey and Impact of Premature Birth: What Families Should Know

Episode 78:

@empoweringnicuparents

Nicole Nyberg

Empowering NICU Parents
-NICU Mom & NNP
-Podcast Host, Public Speaker
-Educate & Empower NICU parents & clinicians empoweringnicuparents@yahoo.com

This podcase episode is different.

I had the honor of stepping into the guest seat on the NICU Today Podcast with Martha Sharkey, and what began as a conversation about my journey into nursing and the NICU gradually unfolded into something much more personal.

We talked about how I found my way into neonatology, and how I naively once believed I truly understood most things about the NICU so clearly. But after William was born extremely premature, and I walked back into the unit where I worked… but as his Mom.

Scared. Vulnerable. Uncertain. Protective in a way I had never understood before.

Seeing everything through an entirely different lens.

In this episode, I share what it was like to hold both roles — provider and parent — and how that experience reshaped me personally and professionally. We talk about family involvement, skin-to-skin care, education, advocacy, and why parental presence is not optional in the NICU. It matters. For babies. And for parents.

If you are a parent, I hope this episode reminds you that your presence, your voice, and your advocacy belong right alongside your baby.

If you are a clinician, I hope it offers perspective from the other side of the isolette.

This conversation is the heart 💙 and The Why Behind Empowering NICU Parents.

Sometimes the tiniest, most unexpected humans can become our greatest teachers and heroes.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Link in bio.

#nicuparents #nicujourney #nicuawareness #nicumom #nicunurse

The NICU experience doesn’t just affect the baby — it impacts parents, relationships, and family life long after discharge.
�I’m inviting NICU parents to share their perspective through a short, optional survey. Some responses may help shape an upcoming podcast episode, and some parents may be invited to join the conversation.
�Comment NICU and I’ll send you the survey. 💜

#NICUParents #nicumom #nicudad #nicubaby #nicugraduate

The NICU experience doesn’t just affect the baby — it impacts parents, relationships, and family life long after discharge.
 I’m inviting NICU parents to share their perspective through a short, optional survey. Some responses may help shape an upcoming podcast episode, and some parents may be invited to join the conversation.
 Comment NICU and I’ll send you the survey. 💜

#NICUParents #nicumom #nicudad #nicubaby #nicugraduate

An unexpected delivery at 23 weeks turned Martha and Paul Sharkey into NICU parents overnight when their identical twin daughters were born far too soon. What followed was a journey through extreme prematurity, loss, and the kind of uncertainty that changes a family forever.

In our most recent episode, Martha shares her family’s story — from navigating the NICU and grieving the loss of her daughter Mary, to building Today Is a Good Day, a nonprofit created to support NICU families and ensure that not one single parent walks alone.

She also shares key takeaways from their NICU journey and from building a nonprofit, making this episode especially meaningful for NICU parents and for anyone who feels called to turn lived experience into purpose.

This conversation is honest, emotional, and full of perspective — whether you’re in the NICU now, have endured a loss, are raising a NICU graduate, or simply need to hear a story of hope and resilience.

🎧 Listen now on the Empowering NICU Parents Podcast 🔗 Link in bio

#nicuparents #micropreemie #twinparents #empoweringnicuparents #nicujourney

❄️ This little snowbunny is ready for the snowstorm… who else is? ☃️💙

Would you rather: ❄️ or ☀️?

#nicubaby #nicuparents #snowapocalypse #snowstorm2026 #bringonthesnow

Happy New Year.

For some, the new year arrives with excitement. For others, it arrives quietly — with uncertainty, exhaustion, or hope that’s still finding its footing.

Wherever you are today, know this: Hope continues.
 And if that’s all you can hold onto right now… Keep going.

One step. One breath. One day at a time. 🤍

#HappyNewYear #HopeContinues #KeepGoing #OneDayAtATime #HoldingSpace #QuietStrength #GentleBeginnings #newyear2026 #hopeandstrength #nicuparents #nicunurse #nnp #neonatologist #nicubaby #nicutherapist

If you are spending Christmas in the NICU with your baby, it’s likely not what you imagined for this season. It’s completely understandable if this time feels heavy.

Today, we hold space for you and recognize how hard it is to feel torn between being with your baby and being pulled toward other family and friends on a holiday. You are seen. You are not alone.

We are holding you and your baby close in our thoughts this holiday. 🤍

#NICU #NICUParent #NICUStrong #HolidayInTheNICU #NICULife #NICUSupport #ChristmasInTheNICU #FamilyCenteredCare #nicubaby #christmastime #nicumama #nicunurse

November is Prematurity Awareness Month—a month that holds deep meaning for so many of us.
 A preterm baby’s journey doesn’t end at discharge—it continues to be shaped through childhood, adolescence, and well into adulthood. And it shapes parents, too.

Our babies face challenges we could have never prepared for. And we, as parents, find a strength within ourselves we never imagined— because our babies needed us to.

I’m resharing one of the most difficult, yet most meaningful episodes I’ve ever created—one that explores the lifelong impact of prematurity on children and the emotional toll the NICU can have on parents.

My intention is not to cause fear, but to instill empowerment.

Because informed parents become powerful advocates—and that is exactly what our children need and deserve.

If you are a NICU parent, hold this close: You are not alone. Your reactions are normal. Your feelings are valid. And you’ve got this—at every stage of your child’s journey, even when it feels incredibly difficult.

Knowledge is power, and transparency is essential.

💜 For the full episode, head to the link in my bio. Let’s continue raising awareness, honoring these incredible children, and supporting the families who walk this path every single day, beyond the NICU as well.

#PrematurityAwarenessMonth #PrematurityAwareness #NICU #NICUParents #NICUMoms #NICUDads
#PreemieStrong #PreemiePower #PreemieJourney #NICULife #NICUAwareness #MicroPreemie #PreemieSupport
#NICUAdvocate #FamilyCenteredCare #ParentEmpowerment #TraumaInformedCare #NeonatalCare #NICUNurse
#EmpoweringNICUParents #AngelEyeHealth #PrematureBirthAwareness #NICUStrong

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