About Us
Since 2003, Club NICU has been a compassionate source of encouragement and hope for parents who suddenly find their newborn admitted to the NICU. Founder Karla Herbert is a mom who knows firsthand the sorrows and joys of a NICU experience. While her newborn son was in the NICU, she discovered a deep, unspoken need for emotional support. This especially occurred when her baby's health declined, a major medical decision needed to be authorized, or when she had to leave his side after a visit. We welcome all parents and their family members who currently have a newborn in the NICU to join our Club. We also invite all families who have had a NICU experience to help promote our Club by volunteering to meet various needs.
Ways We Celebrate and Support Our NICU Families
The birth of a baby is worth celebrating, and while having a preemie in the NICU can be a frightening ordeal, Club NICU is ready to help bring joy in the journey through 5 celebrations.
CELEBRATION - NEW LIFE
In order to recognize the importance of your role as a new preemie parent, and to celebrate the birth of your baby, we offer the following:
CELEBRATION - SIBLINGS
Older siblings are one of the most overlooked groups, and having a baby brother or sister in NICU can be a very confusing time for them. From not understanding why baby has to stay in the hospital, to being cared for by others and displaced by their normal routine when their parents are visiting the baby, to the confusion surrounding when the baby will finally come home, can add distress to not only YOU but your older children. In order to bring encouragement and joy to older siblings, we offer the following:
CELEBRATION - BABY STEPS
When a baby is in NICU, parents find themselves bombarded by phone calls from loved ones requesting updates on the baby's progress. In order to easily keep everyone up-to-date, we can help you set up a blog or free website to share your daily journey and your preemie's progress. We also offer the following:
CELEBRATION - PARENTS
Having a baby in NICU can place a strain on marriages and other relationships. In order to bring unity and understanding back into the relationship, and to help with general expenses, we offer the following:
CELEBRATION - PRAYER PARTNERS
The most important aspect of healing and coping is prayer ~ lots and lots of prayer! We pray daily for you, your baby, the neonatologists, nurses, and all medical staff who deal directly with NICU babies. We also offer the following:
CELEBRATION - NEW LIFE
In order to recognize the importance of your role as a new preemie parent, and to celebrate the birth of your baby, we offer the following:
- A baby shower to celebrate the birth of your preemie
- Personalized name tags for isolettes and bassinets
- Special, personalized birth announcement
- Special NICU graduation diplomas to celebrate your newborn's NICU discharge
- A "New Parent to a Preemie" forum, available here on our GROUP FORUMS section, where you can network with other NICU parents
- The Wee Wardrobe ~ clothing, diapers, crib sheets, blankets, etc. for families in need
CELEBRATION - SIBLINGS
Older siblings are one of the most overlooked groups, and having a baby brother or sister in NICU can be a very confusing time for them. From not understanding why baby has to stay in the hospital, to being cared for by others and displaced by their normal routine when their parents are visiting the baby, to the confusion surrounding when the baby will finally come home, can add distress to not only YOU but your older children. In order to bring encouragement and joy to older siblings, we offer the following:
- Gift cards or discounts for fun outings and special treats
- Small gifts to be presented from their baby brother or sister, such as candy, small trinkets, stuffed animals, etc.
- Support groups and play dates with other children who have a baby brother or sister in NICU
- A "Sibling Support" forum, available here on our GROUP FORUMS section, where you can find helpful hints on how to make the NICU experience a positive one for your children
CELEBRATION - BABY STEPS
When a baby is in NICU, parents find themselves bombarded by phone calls from loved ones requesting updates on the baby's progress. In order to easily keep everyone up-to-date, we can help you set up a blog or free website to share your daily journey and your preemie's progress. We also offer the following:
- Tape recorders for you to borrow and use while your preemie is in NICU, with which you can record your voice or music to be played to your baby when you can't be there to visit
- Photo frames
- NICU booklets to record your baby's milestones
CELEBRATION - PARENTS
Having a baby in NICU can place a strain on marriages and other relationships. In order to bring unity and understanding back into the relationship, and to help with general expenses, we offer the following:
- Gift cards for date nights
- Gift cards for meals
- Gift cards for gas, groceries, and other expenses
- Supportive books and brochures
- Access to family activities like zoos, museums, movies, etc.
- An "Enduring Love" forum, available on our GROUP FORUMS section, where you can encourage other couples and families by sharing ways you've coped with the NICU experience
CELEBRATION - PRAYER PARTNERS
The most important aspect of healing and coping is prayer ~ lots and lots of prayer! We pray daily for you, your baby, the neonatologists, nurses, and all medical staff who deal directly with NICU babies. We also offer the following:
- A "Preemie Prayers" forum, available here on our GROUP FORUMS section, where you can add prayer requests, pray for other families and their babies, and a place to add praise reports
- A dedicated group of prayer partners who are praying for you