Jonesboro, Ark. — Families navigating the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at St. Bernards Medical Center are finding that small acts of kindness can provide a much-needed lift during difficult times. In recognition of NICU Awareness Month this September, hospital staff highlighted the importance of supporting parents and families alongside caring for their premature or critically ill newborns.

According to medical experts, approximately 350,000 babies are admitted to NICUs nationwide each year, often leaving parents to grapple with a mix of emotional and logistical challenges. In Jonesboro, the St. Bernards NICU cares for thousands of families annually, offering both medical expertise and compassion to its youngest patients and their loved ones.

“No mom expects to have her baby in the NICU,” said Dr. Jennifer Davidson, a physician at St. Bernards. “It’s an emotional whirlwind of events after delivery.”

Families often face long days and nights at the hospital, as well as unexpected stressors. Lakon Pattillo, patient care manager at the NICU, described the emotional toll on parents. “We see parents going through some of the hardest days of their lives, honestly. While we’re helping the babies grow and thrive—and most of them do wonderfully—we’re also supporting parents through a really tough time,” Pattillo said.

Even small gestures of kindness can make a significant impact, doctors noted. “One thing that can really help those moms who have to drive a long way is gas cards,” Davidson said. She shared a recent example of generosity: a family, in honor of their late NICU baby, donated rolls of quarters to help current families buy snacks or drinks from vending machines. “It was incredibly sweet of them,” Davidson added.

St. Bernards’ NICU team also focuses on creating a sense of normalcy for parents. Practices such as promoting skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding are encouraged to foster bonding and a feeling of connection, even in a medical setting. “Having support in the NICU is so important,” Pattillo explained. “With all the hormonal changes and the experience being less than ideal, we do the best we can to provide some sense of community and normalcy for these moms.”

To learn more about St. Bernards' NICU and available support services, visit their website.

— For corrections or suggestions, please reach out via the St. Bernards website.

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