NICU and the Importance of a Mother’s Voice
This past August, young relative of ours delivered her first child 7 weeks early. Baby Tommy is a fighter, starting to gain weight (he’s now over four pounds) and even beginning to nurse from his mother. The only pesky problem remaining is a lower-than-desired oxygen level.
His parents, Mike and Karen, spend a great deal of time with him in the NICU unit – holding him, talking to him, and reading to him. This little story, told in an email from his great-grandmother, shows the importance of reading to children, no matter how young. Both Tommy’s parents and his great-grandma gave permission to share their story.
The Importance of Reading
Kris (Tommy’s grandmother) told me (Tommy’s great-grandmother) a heartwarming story that I want to share. The implications of this story are deep in that we don’t any of us understand the depth of God’s planning for us, his children.
Karen had been holding little Tommy and he was asleep. BUT, she was reading him stories. When the doctors came in , they were quite amused but thought it was great that she was reading to him. While she was reading to him, his oxygen levels were good. When the doctor interrupted the story, Tommy d-satted. Then as the doctor left and Karen started reading to him again, his oxygen levels went right back to being good.
The doctor stopped and said, “Do you realize what just happened?” They were amazed. Karen is sure that Tommy just knows who his momma is—even when he is asleep!
What Reading Stories Do You Have?
Do you have similar stories about reading to your baby, whether in or out of the hospital, preemie or full term, infant or toddler? If so, share them in the comment box. Who knows, your comment could encourage a young parent to read aloud to a child tonight.
Praying for Tommy and his parents,
Jolene
This gave me goosebumps. Praying for Tommy! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve slept with my hospitalized child in a recliner just to keep all those levels in the normal range overnight. It often seemed if he was in the crib or isolate they would plummet. Holding him even YEARS later kept him steady. Amazing.
Yes, it is amazing. I left tape recorders of me reading stories in my twins isolettes in the NICU. Also, when one of them was in the hospital for an extended stay years later, she wouldn’t sleep if we weren’t able to visit. I know she was waiting for us to come.
Nancy,
That’s a wonderful idea. I have a vision for a product that allows pregnant moms to record their voices before their kids are born…just in case it’s needed. Would love to talk to you more about it.
Jolene
Email me anytime or on FB. May need to make an appointment for a phone call these days. Struggling to find a replacement nurse right now. Have lots of empty shifts this month.