What is it really like to have a baby in the NICU?
Katie Taylor sits down with NICU nurse, educator, and content creator Alyssa Saldivar (@alyssathenurse) to discuss how families can find confidence, connection, and support during one of the most challenging experiences of parenthood.
Alyssa shares her journey of becoming a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic, her passion for supporting both families and fellow nurses, and the practical ways parents can become active participants in their baby's care. Together, Katie and Alyssa explore everything from skin-to-skin care and developmental support to advocacy, bonding, and life after NICU discharge.
Whether you're currently navigating a NICU stay, preparing for a high-risk delivery, or reflecting on a NICU experience from years ago, this conversation offers encouragement, validation, and actionable guidance.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- Becoming a NICU nurse during an unprecedented time in healthcare
- Supporting parents through the emotional realities of the NICU
- Why skin-to-skin care is so powerful for premature babies
- Helping families feel confident and involved in their baby's care
- How parents can advocate for themselves and their baby
- Pain management and comfort strategies in the NICU
- Developmentally appropriate ways to soothe premature infants
- Supporting parents who cannot be at the bedside every day
- Navigating bonding challenges and NICU trauma
- Resources available to support families during hospitalization
- The transition from NICU to home
Timestamps
00:00 Meet Alyssa Saldivar and her journey into NICU nursing
02:15 Starting a nursing career during the COVID-19 pandemic
03:40 Building confidence as a NICU nurse and educator
05:30 How becoming a parent changed Alyssa's approach to family-centered care
06:20 Caring for extremely premature babies and empowering parents
06:50 The importance of skin-to-skin care in the NICU
07:45 Why first diaper changes matter for parent confidence
08:30 Supporting parents who can't be at the bedside every day
09:20 Scent cloths, breast milk, and maintaining connection
10:10 Creating a family-centered environment in the NICU
11:20 How parents can advocate for their baby's needs
13:15 Parent involvement during painful procedures and treatments
15:15 Helping babies recover and regulate after procedures
16:00 Developmentally appropriate ways to comfort premature babies
18:00 Alyssa's mission to support NICU families beyond the bedside
20:00 Processing NICU experiences years after discharge
21:00 Supporting NICU dads during moments of uncertainty
22:10 When bonding doesn't happen immediately
24:15 Child life specialists, social workers, chaplains, and other support resources
25:15 Filling the gap between NICU discharge and follow-up care
26:30 What Alyssa hopes families take away from her content
27:45 Final encouragement for NICU families
Connect with Alyssa
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Medical information shared in this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your care team for guidance specific to your child and family.
Keywords: NICU Nurse, Neonatology, Family Centered Care, NICU Support
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