700 Children's® – A Blog by Pediatric Experts

Posts About NICU

Posted by: Marissa E. Larouere, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC , Sarah Hastie, BSN, RNC-NIC on Nov 04, 2026

Butterflies have a very special meaning here at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. While in flight, they represent optimism; a perfect symbol for a healing environment. Now a purple butterfly with a very special meaning can be found on the doors of some of our tiniest patients.

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Lactation: Changing the Plan Does Not Mean Failure
Breastfeeding doesn’t always look the way you imagined—and that’s okay. Learn why feeding plans may need to change, how to let go of unrealistic expectations, and why every lactation journey can include meaningful successes.
animatronic dog toy
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Making Lemonade Out of Lemons: Advice from Former NICU Parents
First published November 2017 Updated September 2026 I still remember the first time I walked into the NICU. It was hours after the birth of my twin girls – 15 weeks too soon. The NICU was loud and unfamiliar.

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About this Blog

Pediatric News You Can Use From America’s Largest Pediatric Hospital and Research Center

700 Children’s® features the most current pediatric health care information and research from our pediatric experts – physicians and specialists who have seen it all. Many of them are parents and bring a special understanding to what our patients and families experience. If you have a child – or care for a child – 700 Children’s was created especially for you.

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Latest Posts

Blog Speech and Hearing for Preemies Teaser

Little Ears and Little Voices: Speech and Hearing Care for Preemies

Jul 31, 2026

Learn why early identification and treatment of speech and hearing disorders is critically important for all infants and children. Read More

bottle of breastmilk and a mom holding her baby in the back

Breastfeeding in the NICU: How to Solve a Unique Challenge

Apr 28, 2026

Having a baby in the NICU can make breastfeeding feel harder—but there are steps that help. Learn why human milk is especially important for premature babies, how skin-to-skin and early pumping support supply, and practical tips for collecting colostrum and maintaining milk production during your NICU journey. Read More

Breast pumps

Underproduction of Human Milk: How to Increase Your Supply

Apr 08, 2026

How much is “enough” human milk? The answer is not a number, because it is different for each parent. “Enough” is the volume needed to feed your baby. Read More

young child with a pacifier

Helping Your Preterm Baby Learn to Eat: Why Early Oral Stimulation Matters

Jan 22, 2026

Learn how skin-to-skin time, pacifier practice, and non-nutritive breast/chest feeding help preterm babies in the NICU develop coordinated sucking, swallowing, and breathing so they can transition from tube feeds to successful oral feeding. Read More

Dear New NICU Mom

Dear New NICU Mom

Jan 12, 2026

At 24 days old, my little girl developed necrotizing enterocolitis and was transferred in the middle of the night to Nationwide Children’s. It was at that moment that I became eternally grateful to have a top neonatology department so close to home. Read More

The Power of Skin-to-Skin Care: Why Kangaroo Care Matters for You and Your Baby

The Power of Skin-to-Skin Care: Why Kangaroo Care Matters for You and Your Baby

Nov 26, 2025

NICU babies, like all babies and all humans for that matter, are very complex; but that’s what makes them so phenomenal. There’s more to them than just their physical being. Read More

Dear NICU Mom: You Are Finally Going Home

Dear NICU Mom: You Are Finally Going Home

Oct 08, 2025

First published November 2013 Updated October 2025 I am a NICU mom. For 175 days, I was a NICU mom. I watched my daughter grow and thrive inside the walls of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. I rode the NICU rollercoaster, with all of its ups and downs, and it was a tumultuous, bumpy ride. Read More

Baby

5 Questions Every NICU Parent Should Ask

Sep 12, 2025

Having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be overwhelming and it can take a while to adjust. Here are 5 questions you might find helpful to ask as a NICU parent. Read More