Caring for Tiny Miracles – A NICU Nurse’s Perspective
By Melissa Freifelder
As a NICU nurse for 2 years, I have experienced both triumph and heartbreak in equal measures. There are so many decisions parents and caregivers are asked to make on a daily, if not hourly, basis and the whole process can be overwhelming. I am honored to walk alongside parents and care for their tiny miracles.
While every child is different and every situation is unique, there are universal norms that apply to all preemies. For example, it takes a preemie three-times as much effort to do the same things that a term infant does. This includes very basic things that are required for survival, like breathing and eating. And more effort equals more calories. While breast milk – either from the mother or a donor – is ideal and critical for these babies to grow and fight, I have seen firsthand how even the most calorie-dense breast milk isn’t always enough.
Time and time again, I’ve watched preemies who were unable to gain weight on breast milk alone because their bodies were working so much harder to perform basic life-sustaining functions. It isn’t until we begin supplementation that these tiny fighters begin to overcome the calorie deficit and grow.
Preemies often face a number of potential complications – one of which is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). I’ve encountered some very scary instances of NEC. In almost every one of those cases, the babies were not only on trophic feedings – which are small amounts of milk or formula given to a newborn to stimulate their immature digestive tract – but most were also on a heavy amount of antibiotics and very high respiratory support.
There is no way of knowing which of these medical interventions caused the NEC – experts agree that NEC is multifactorial with many associated risk factors but what we do know is that in all of these cases, the benefit of feeding has to outweigh the risk – and it normally does. Every ounce gained by a preemie is a step closer to going home and having time with their family.
My experience in the NICU – like many others – is unforgettable, and as a medical professional, it is critical that I have access to the nutritional products necessary to give these babies a fighting chance.