Holding Tiny Hands | NICU Infant care and support

providing

encouragement, strength and hope

to families with newborns

in intensive care

This is Our Story

The NICU journey for a micro-preemie or chronically ill infant is a very long one. For the parents, it is a weary path filled with emotional highs and lows. When the NICU journey ends, a new one begins. It is at once a delightful and frightful period. Parents soon learn that they, and they alone, are the advocates for the best care for their baby.

“The preemie experience allows us the opportunity to discover the depth of our character, the depth of our love and commitment. It allows us to discover our patience, our abilities, and the opportunity to explore our spirit more deeply than we ever imagined possible.“
- Mother of a 25-weeker
“The preemie experience allows us the opportunity to discover the depth of our character, the depth of our love and commitment. It allows us to discover our patience, our abilities, and the opportunity to explore our spirit more deeply than we ever imagined possible“
- Mom of a 28-weeker
“Researchers have found that parents of premature infants and babies born with special healthcare needs often struggle with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.“
-
“A Duke University study found that 97% of parents of premature infants suffer from post - traumatic stress symptoms.“
-
“Although my son was surrounded by the best physicians and the greatest nurses in the world, I felt completely alone. It wasn’t until the worst was over and the survival of my baby was certain, that I realized the power of sharing with other parents.“
- Dad of a 28-weeker
“To hold the hands of parents new to the NICU and give them hope and strength, cry with them after a bad day, share their joy after a milestone is reached is what the Holding Tiny Hands Foundation is all about.“
- Dad of a 25-weeker
“…although this journey is taken day by day with little assurances, among the very few things that we can depend on is Holding Tiny Hands. They are there with us at the depth of the lows, at the peak of the highs, and at every point in between. They provide a bit of normalcy when our lives are being turned upside down.“
- Mother of a 28-weeker
“Holding Tiny Hands helped us heal from our pain and gave us the support we needed from someone who understood what this experience was like. Without this group I’m not sure we would have ever found the support we needed.“
- Mother of a 26-weeker
“It was nice to know that we were not alone and not the only parents who felt scared, helpless, and lost. At the meals, we heard stories of other premature and tiny babies living happy, normal lives. These stories gave me hope and the encouragement to be strong for my baby.“
- Mother of a 27-weeker

This is How We Help

Tiny Treasures Gift Bags

Bags contain items intended to provide comfort to parents and their little one(s) during their NICU stays | read more
Meals for Moms & Dads

Meals for Moms & Dads are monthly meals provided in the hospital which allow parents a break from the stresses of the NICU | read more
Educational Outreach

During a time when parents are at their most vulnerable, parents assume their role on the sidelines in the NICU | read more

How You Can Help

Volunteer

Donate

Tributes

The Preemie Experience

NICU All Stars

Tristan Everett CardenBorn 10 weeks early 2 pounds, 5 ounces On December 25, 2009, Tristan Everett Carden came into this world at 30 weeks gestation weighing 2 pounds 5 ounces. Tristan was taken to the NICU where he thrived for about a week. One day we received news from our doctor that Tristan had a…