S8 E7 | REPLAY | Supporting Older Siblings While in the NICU with Child Life On Call
This week’s podcast episode is a replay episode from season 6 of the Dear NICU Mama podcast! For the NICU mamas in our sisterhood who find themselves splitting time between their children at home and children in the NICU, we hope you feel seen and heard by this episode.
Use code “nicumama” for 50% off Katie’s How to prepare, support and respond to your child during shots course! Find the episode transcription here.
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This week, we have the privilege of speaking with Katie Taylor from Child Life On Call! One of the most commonly asked questions in our support forum is how to not only balance being a mom to kids at home and in the NICU, but also how to include their older kids with their new sibling’s NICU journey in a way that feels safe and easy to comprehend. And we couldn’t think of a better guests to talk about this today than Katie!
In this episode we cover:
What are some ways we can talk to our kids about their sibling being in the NICU without scaring or overwhelming them?
What encouragement would you offer families that are struggling with splitting time between their kids at home and their child in the NICU?
What are ways that parents can encourage and establish a bond between siblings while in the NICU?
When possible, how can families prepare their older children to visit their new sibling in the NICU?
How can they introduce the new baby into the family at home and reassure their older children of all the new changes, especially if their new sibling requires ongoing medical attention or care?
We hope this conversation affirms that NICU mama, you are the best mother to ALL of your children, and your love is and will always be more than enough. 💕
Katie Taylor is a certified child life specialist, podcast host and CEO + Founder Child Life On Call. With the expertise of a child life specialist and the heart of a momma, Katie's passion is supporting parents, kids and the care team with the tools they deserve so they can transform from overwhelmed to empowered during medical experiences. With over a decade of in-hospital experience, Katie has helped hundreds of families cope with and navigate challenging life events.
Katie graduated from the Pennsylvania State University and has studied and worked at facilities like Children's National Medical Center, Inova Children's Hospital, Dell Children's Medical Center and St. David's Children's Hospital. She authored her first children's book, Super Silly Wash Your Hands Dance, in early 2020 and has been featured in the media as a child development expert. When she's not doing all things Child Life On Call, she loves spending time in the great trails of the Hill Country with her husband and two children, listening to audiobooks and visiting local Austin breweries.
To get connected with Katie:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Child Life On Call Podcast
This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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