Ep. 382: 8 Things Your NICU Nurse Wants You to Know with Brooke Smith

Ep. 382: 8 Things Your NICU Nurse Wants You to Know with Brooke Smith

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe welcomes Brooke Smith, a seasoned NICU nurse, IBCLC, doula, and childbirth educator, to shine a light on what life in the NICU really looks like for families. Together, they unpack practical tips for navigating the beeping machines and medical jargon while still staying connected to your baby in meaningful ways. Brooke shares strategies for coping during this overwhelming season, advocating for your baby, and building confidence in your parental instincts.

This conversation also explores the importance of effective communication with NICU staff, why self-care is non-negotiable for parents, and how practices like primary nursing can support your family’s journey. HeHe and Brooke also talk through emotional resilience and what to expect as you transition home after the NICU.

This episode is a must-listen for parents preparing for, currently in, or healing after a NICU stay. You’ll walk away with reassurance, tools, and encouragement to help you feel informed and empowered—no matter what the NICU brings.

00:00 Trust Your Instincts and Seek Support

01:03 Welcome to The Birth Lounge Podcast

01:08 Introducing The Birth Lounge App

01:29 Features of The Birth Lounge App

04:51 NICU Awareness Month

05:46 Interview with NICU Nurse Brooke Smith

07:30 Understanding the NICU Experience

12:16 Tips for NICU Parents

22:25 Bonding with Your NICU Baby

31:18 Communicating with Your NICU Team

37:28 Navigating Medical Decisions in the NICU

39:37 Navigating High-Risk Pregnancy Decisions

40:19 The Importance of Early Conversations

42:50 Advocating for Your Baby in the NICU

46:05 The Role of Primary Nursing in NICU

52:47 Emotional Support for NICU Parents

01:00:20 Transitioning Home from the NICU

01:07:07 Supporting NICU Families as Friends and Family

01:08:55 Final Thoughts and Resources

Guest Bio:

Brooke has been a NICU nurse for 8 years. After her first Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Brooke decided to pursue nursing and obtained her second Bachelor’s degree in nursing. She started her career at a Level 4 NICU in her home state of Florida, where she worked for 3.5 years and learned a lot as a new nurse. She then began to travel nurse in 2021, and has since worked in 9 different NICUs in 5 states across the U.S. She also has been a doula and childbirth educator since 2022, and IBCLC since 2023. She met her husband in Maryland while travel nursing in 2021, and now resides in Maryland with her husband Chris, two dogs Ruby and Penny, and their first baby on the way due in October.

INSTAGRAM:

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Connect with Brooke on IG

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

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48: Free Friday Talk: Packing for Your Birth Part 2

48: Free Friday Talk: Packing for Your Birth Part 2

Last week, HeHe shared her tips for packing your birth bag for the hospital or birth center. This week, she shares what SHE brings to births in her ninja-turte-green back pack to each birth. It's not so much about what she brings as it is her energy in the birth room. She shares why each of these things play a role in the environment of your birth room! Happy Friday, yal!

11 Elo 201814min

47:  Eliminating Toxins in Your Home with Bri Pruitt

47: Eliminating Toxins in Your Home with Bri Pruitt

Today's episode is all about common household toxins and the impacts they have on your health. HeHe is sitting down with Bri Pruitt who has been living a holistic lifestyle and practicing clean-living for nearly a decade. After serious illness struck her family, Bri decided to take control of what came into her family's home. We are discussing the most toxic things in your home and how to replace common household items with healthy, greener options. From sunscreen to laundry detergent to cleaning supplies, Bri is sharing it all. This is an episode that will scare the bejeezus out of you if green living is new to you! Happy Tuesday!

7 Elo 201838min

46: Free Friday Talk:Packing For Your Birth

46: Free Friday Talk:Packing For Your Birth

Packing for your birth experience can be a tantalizing task. Some people have no clue where to start while others feel like they can't possibly prepare enough. Some folks want to pack all the things while some wonder why they need to bring anything at all. HeHe gets asked "What should I pack for my birth" so regularly and she's here to share it all with you today! Enjoy a free download and the blog for this episode in the show notes! Dive into today's episode to hear part one of a two part series all bout packing for your birth! Happy Friday, yal!    Shownotes: Check out the blog!  The Rebozo:What it is and Why I Love it! One Handed Snacks Freebie

3 Elo 201817min

45: Tranquilo Mat with Melissa Gersin

45: Tranquilo Mat with Melissa Gersin

Today, HeHe is chatting with Melissa Gersin, Founder and CEO of Tranquil Mat! This magical baby product is a gently vibrating mat that helps newborns and infants fall asleep, stay asleep, and support self soothing skills! Melissa was a nurse for a hospital nursery and after years of work found herself frustrated and exhausted. She set out on a mission create the perfect helping hand for parents! This light-weight, flexible, easy to transport mat is a total game changer! Listeners can enjoy an extra 15% off of their order (while supplies last) by using sayings code: TBH15

31 Heinä 201852min

44: Friday Free Talk: Vaginal Stank

44: Friday Free Talk: Vaginal Stank

Today, HeHe is diving into the skittle flavors of you vagina! Dive into what contributes to your personal vaginal odor as well as what can be done to combat the stank during the hot summer months. She is sharing general rules of thumb as well as 5 things to keep in mind about your ladybits. From Toxic Shock Syndrome to Sexually Transmitted Disease, she is going there today! Happy Friday, yal!

27 Heinä 201816min

43: Meal Delivery and Organic Eating with Fuel Up TV

43: Meal Delivery and Organic Eating with Fuel Up TV

Today's episode features the founders of Fuel Up TV and Fitness Foods. Erika and Tiffany are sister who started a business together then became mothers together. Then, they began to see drastic change when they started to be intentional about their diets together. Ultimately this led to changes in their children's diet as well and growing a thriving business based on a passion and personal experience. They give us all the information on sugar detox and foods that will fuel you each day. Happy Tuesday and huge congrats on the birth of Luka! I made a freebie for you with the yummiest one-handed snacks! Check it out! Download:  One Handed Snacks Freebie

24 Heinä 201849min

42: Free Friday Talk: Instincts and Birth

42: Free Friday Talk: Instincts and Birth

Today, HeHe talks about how her recent travels down south and spending time with parents led her to dig deeper about who she is as a practitioner. She shares about the things that came up for her when she spent time learning from and spending time with her family recently. She also shares how she recognized fear based care rippling out into parenting. Whatever has been on your mind, trust your instincts. HeHe shares two stories of trusting her instincts in the birth room and changing the way that two mothers (and their partners) viewed birth. Check out the downloadI linked! I think you'll enjoy it!    Download: Parent and Mindset Freebie

20 Heinä 201816min

41: The Dietician that Doesn't Put People On a Diet with Lainey Younkin

41: The Dietician that Doesn't Put People On a Diet with Lainey Younkin

Nutrition in pregnancy is something that inevitably comes up for everyone. Lainey Younkin and HeHe are breaking it down trimester by trimester and then into the postpartum period. From counting calories, to eating a specific number of meals, eating this and not eating that.. the information overwhelm is real. Lainey shares her her tips for finding the right fit for your body, plus her thoughts on cravings during pregnancy and satisfying your sweet tooth. We are also sharing tips to reframe the way you view that number on the scale. Join us for this fun conversation about body image and healthy eating. Happy Tuesday!    Shownotes:  Check out the blog!

17 Heinä 201833min

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