The holidays can be particularly challenging for families with a baby in the NICU. The outside world’s joy, festive tones and activities can feel out of sync and even impossible during the long days and nights in the hospital. Grandparents and siblings are still not able to be with the parents at the babies’ bedsides so the feeling of togetherness that many of us long for around the holiday season is even more difficult to achieve.

This holiday season we were thrilled to be able to welcome all of our in-NICU families back to one of our favorite holiday traditions, Holiday Meaningful Meals. At South Miami Hospital and Holtz Children’s Hospital, NICU parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and big brothers and sisters gathered together to eat warm meals, talk with each other and ICU baby supporters. Each family received gifts of baby blankets, diapers and self-care kits and as is the tradition, every big brother and sister of a NICU baby was showered with presents donated by families at McGlannan School and wrapped by the ICU baby Ambassadors.

The rooms were filled with the sounds of holiday music and families connecting and supporting each other…It was magical. We are so grateful to be able to create such a warm and joyful experience for our families during this holiday season!