NICU Child Life Specialist - Lindsay Davis

Lindsay Davis is a Child Life Specialist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. During her time working at a NICU in NYC she created and implemented a child life program in the NICU and co-facilitated the NICU Family Advisory Council. She has a Master’s Degree in Child Life from Bank Street College of Education in NYC and we're so thrilled to get to speak with her!

Quick Call Outs from the Episode:

• Generally, Child Life is focused on supporting children undergoing procedures or receiving a treatment. Specialists run playrooms and activities in the hospital setting.
• For the NICU, the focus is around the patient, their families, and their siblings
• There are so many things going on while in the NICU and Lindsay shared that journaling can be a really helpful way to process
  • Lindsay recommends Every Tiny Thing journals =)
• A great way to advocate for your child and for the team to get to know you more in the NICU is by requesting a “Family Meeting” with the care team
• Seeking support through community whether in person or virtually is something Lindsay shares about that can be helpful for families while in the NICU (and beyond)
• Therapy is another avenue to support you through the NICU and post NICU journey. Reach out to your OB, NICU Social Worker, or even your child’s Pediatrician for suggestions
• You can also take a look at Alma Health > Post Partum Specialty
  • Find a Provider - Alma
• The NICU experience can be very isolating from beginning to end, and even when you get home as well. Be encouraged to voice how you are feeling! It’s okay if you are not okay!
• NICU Alumni Grad Guide: Siblings Support! + Books in English and in Spanish!
  • Create space to just connect with the older sibling(s), as little a 15 minutes, it will go a long way and foster connection and intentionality
  • In My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Growing Hearts)
  • The Feelings Book
  • The Feelings Book / El libro de los sentimientos (Spanish and English Edition)
  • The Colour Monster 
  • El Monstruo de Colores, (Spanish Edition)
  • Every Tiny Thing NICU Journals  

Let's keep in touch!
 You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org.

A special thanks to the Prolacta Bioscience Foundation for supporting the NICU Alumni podcast!

You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.

The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.