Books for the NICU
* This image shows the old name for the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list.
March is 'Reach Out and Read' Month and Child Life month...
and so seven years ago (last week), Kate (CCLS) and I started Blank’s Little Bookworms with some generous donations from previous NICU families. This program still exists today! Blank’s Littlest Bookworms encourages families to read to their babies during their NICU stays. Research has shown that reading to NICU babies shortens the common speech delay that many NICU babies experience. In addition, parents felt more connected and more a part of their baby’s care. In honor of important programs like this all around the world, today I am sharing some books for the NICU. The first few books are especially great for reading aloud to the baby in the NICU. I am also sharing a few books for NICU siblings.
When I worked in the NICU, I felt frustrated by the books available for NICU siblings. I loved the idea of having children’s books for this population, as many siblings don’t get to visit the NICU or only come a couple of times. Support through a children’s book is an effective way to help these kids understand and to build up their important role as ‘big brother/sister’. Plus, it gives them time with their caregivers to talk about the big changes happening in their lives. Unfortunately, many of the books I looked through during my time at the hospital focused on rhyming words and cutesy descriptions and didn’t meet the true needs of a NICU sibling. In the last 5 years, several authors have created children's books for the NICU, and so I was excited to see what was out there and share it with you all. I read through several this week, and was bummed to find that many didn’t meet my criteria. They were religious, confusing, or told stories that fit only the experiences of a few - not all. So today I am sharing the two books that I created especially for NICU siblings and one more that I found that had a lot of good things going for it. (It still uses some confusing rhymes, but I am hopeful that parents will clarify and kids will still get some benefit and understanding from it). If you have other favorites, please share with me, as I would like to grow this list!
Lastly, I am sharing one more book that I happened to find in the library a few weeks ago. It tells the story of neonatal care and how incubators were first used in sideshows, until a physician could prove how beneficial they were. It is not useful to prepare a sibling or to support a parent, but it could be any interesting way to appreciate the advances in neonatal care or to talk about when a family’s days are filled with incubators. Would be great for a kid into science or history.
Books for parents to read to their babies:
The Moment You Were Born: A Story for You and Your Premature Baby
by Sandra M. Lane and Brenda S. Miles PhD
This was my favorite book to give to families when I worked in the NICU. The book supports parents through many aspects of a NICU stay. The text is very thoughtfully written and takes on stressful aspects of the NICU in a very calm and supportive way. I always felt that when parents read this to their baby that they were both benefitting from it. (Great for parents to read to their baby in the NICU)
https://amzn.to/47UqJqq
Chinese: https://amzn.to/4lEg9JW
It Had to Be You: A High Contrast Book For Newborns (A Love Poem Your Baby Can See) Board book by Loryn Brantz
This book is simple and focuses on the special bond between the baby and the parents. As someone who focuses on child development, my favorite part is that the illustrations are black and white. When your NICU PT/OT or neonatalogist says that the baby can handle additional stimulation, these pages could be especially interesting to a new baby. This book could also be good for any newborn for that purpose. (Great for parents to read to the their baby in the NICU or at home)
https://amzn.to/3P8woTw
I Love You Everywhere and All the Time by Laura Camerona
Another book that was written for caregivers to read to their babies. The words of this book focus on the relationship between the baby and their parents throughout all the hardships of the NICU. The words support parents and promote appropriate stimulation for NICU babies. It also has black and white illustrations and could be used for babies when they are ready for additional stimulation. Full disclosure - this one was written by a child life specialist, me! (Great for parents to read to their baby in the NICU.)
https://amzn.to/4sYl0rX
Books for NICU Siblings:
Our Baby in the NICU by Laura Camerona & All About Our Baby and the NICU by Laura Camerona
As a child life specialist, I created these books to support young NICU siblings. Our Baby in the NICU was thoughtfully-written to explain different aspects of the NICU and to support common feelings for younger children. The book simply explains where the baby is staying, who is taking care of them, and when they will come home. The book also highlights the important role of being a NICU sibling. All About Our Baby in the NICU is a similar book written for older siblings. It includes more details about medical equipment, roles of different staff, and what to expect when the baby comes home.
Both books are filled with colorful inclusive illustrations. They do not represent one race, culture, or family. (The first book is more simple and might be appropriate for ages 2-6, while the second book could be more appropriate for ages 7+)
Our Baby in the NICU: https://amzn.to/4sj5Xct
All About Our Baby and the NICU: https://amzn.to/3NGBnKF
Where’s Baby? By Jenny Koo
This book was a playful way to talk about why a baby is in the NICU and not home with their sibling. The book does a good job illustrating many aspects of the NICU including different reasons for being in the NICU and different parts of the healthcare equipment. As a child life specialist, I would warn that parts of the book could be a little confusing for kids. The author focused on a rhyming playful text, and so, some of the descriptions are confusing. An adult reading the book with the child will need to clarify some aspects of care. This book could be used to reassure kids that their baby is in a good place, but could also be confusing if not clarified while reading. (Good for ages 3-6, best to be read with an adult’s support)
https://amzn.to/4bjflqv
Books about the history of the NICU and neonatal care
Boardwalk Babies by Marissa Moss
This book teaches kids (and adults) about the beginning of baby incubators- I honestly learned a lot. It is interesting and could give families an interesting perspective. This book is better for older school age children. Take in consideration, the book does mention that premature babies died before the incubator and that the babies were first used as a side show attraction before hospitals would use the incubator. (Good for school-aged kids)
https://amzn.to/474rvRt
