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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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!

Episoder(387)

51: Homebirth Midwifery Legislation: Part 1 with Joyce Hunt Kimball

51: Homebirth Midwifery Legislation: Part 1 with Joyce Hunt Kimball

Today, it's all about birthing at your home! HeHe is chatting with Joyce Hunt-Kimball, a Homebirth Midwife in Massachusetts, about fear-based care in the homebirth world, how safe homebirth really is, what happens when challenges arise, and the legislation that is threatening the rights of women across the state of Massachusetts. HeHe asks Joyce questions sent in from listeners and they dive into the most commonly asked questions about home birth care. This episode will also share a bill that impacts women's health and limits the freedom of birthing people. Joyce is fighting bill H.1189 (since drafted as H.4655) and is here to explain why H.4655 is restrictive on women's rights and the ability to choose their own care. This is part 1 of Homebirth Midwifery Legislation. Happy Tuesday, yal!

21 Aug 201848min

50: Free Talk Friday: Best Apps for New Parents

50: Free Talk Friday: Best Apps for New Parents

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17 Aug 201827min

49: Budgeting for a Baby with Nicole LeGuern

49: Budgeting for a Baby with Nicole LeGuern

Today, HeHe is helping you budget for your baby! HeHe is sitting down with Nicole Leguern, a mom of four kids and Financial Planner, to dive deep into our bank accounts! This episode is all about what you should know about saving for a baby. Whether you've been saving for years or today is the first day of forever, you will walk away from this episode with solid steps to help you reign in your spending and starting pinching those pennies...or at least counting them. From how much kids really cost to money saving life-hacks, Nicole has so much to share! Happy Tuesday, yal!

14 Aug 201829min

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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Jul 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 Jul 201816min

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