Love, Shannon

“Dear NICU Mama, As you navigate life after NICU, always remember: you are stronger than you know.

The NICU journey is unlike any other. It changes you. It challenges you. It asks you to hold on when everything inside you is breaking. And yet, here you are, moving forward with a heart full of courage, scars that tell stories of love, and a child who has already proven to be a fighter.

Life after the NICU doesn’t mean life goes back to “normal.” It means finding a new rhythm, learning to breathe again without the constant beeping of monitors, and giving yourself grace on the hard days. Some moments will still feel fragile. That’s okay. Healing isn’t linear, and strength doesn’t mean never feeling afraid, it means showing up anyway.

Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Only you know the depth of what each one means. And when you feel alone, know that there is a quiet sisterhood of NICU mamas who see you, who understand, and who are silently cheering you on.

You are doing an incredible job. You are exactly what your baby needs. And you are never alone.”

Love,
Shannon

More of Shannon + Her Daughter’s NICU Journey:

“Our story began with a severe case of preeclampsia diagnosed at just 25 weeks. I was hospitalized for 31 days as doctors worked to stabilize me and give our baby girl more time. The outlook was uncertain, but we made it to 29 weeks before my health suddenly declined and an emergency C-section became necessary. Sydney was born weighing 1 lb 13 oz—and she came out fighting.

She spent 89 days in the NICU, facing more challenges than we could’ve imagined: a PDA, time on the ventilator and CPAP, loss of lung volume, fluid around her heart and lungs, a failed car seat test, and more. But through it all, she showed incredible strength.

Now, at 13 months old, Sydney continues to amaze us. We’re still navigating follow-ups for BPD, delayed gastric emptying, prematurity-related weight concerns due to IUGR, and weekly in-home OT, but she’s here, she’s thriving, and she is absolutely the light of our lives.

To all the NICU parents out there: I see you. These babies are warriors—and so are we.”