September marks Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month, a time to honour babies born premature or sick, their families, and the healthcare professionals who support them.
First established in 2014 by the nonprofit organisation Project Sweet Peas, NICU Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges faced in neonatal care, and the importance of building a strong, supportive community around families affected.
Did you know that over 90,000 babies are admitted to neonatal units in the UK each year? That’s approximately 1 in 7 babies!
In the UK, the charity Bliss is leading the way in recognising the month. This year’s theme, ‘Parents as Partners’, highlights the essential role parents play in their baby’s care while in the neonatal unit. Bliss write on their socials that the theme spotlights how parents “can be empowered to be partners in their baby’s care alongside NICU staff”, celebrating the collaborative efforts of midwives and maternity professionals whose support is instrumental in helping families navigate the NICU journey.
When parents are empowered to participate actively in their baby’s care, the impact can be profound – not only for the baby’s wellbeing but also for the parents’ confidence and emotional resilience. Maternity professionals are uniquely placed to nurture this partnership. With their deep understanding of family-centred care, maternity professionals are able to recognise and respond to each family’s individual needs, offering compassionate, informed support from the very beginning.
Midwives are often the first point of contact when a baby is born premature or sick, providing a vital foundation of care and reassurance. Their role in supporting families – emotionally, practically, and clinically – is central to the NICU experience. This year’s theme is a celebration of that partnership: between parents, professionals, and the wider neonatal team, working together to give babies the best possible start.
Learn more about NICU Awareness Month by following the hashtags on socials (#NICUAwarenessMonth and #ParentsAsPartners).
Explore Search Packs related to the topic:
- PN 13 – Effects of Neonatal Intensive Care on the Parents
- PN112 – Developmental Care in the NICU
- M41 – Stress and Burnout in the NICU
- PN12 – The Environment in the NICU
- PN3 – Breastfeeding the Baby in Intensive Care
- PN74 – Neonatal Resuscitation – Teaching Parents
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