Dear NICU Dad, 

It’s your first Father’s Day and you never expected to be spending it here, in the NICU, but here you are… 
Here you are, wearing a brave face when inside you’re crumbling. 
Here you are, advocating for your child in ways you never could have imagined. 
Here you are, wiping tears from the mother of your child, while holding your tears back. 
Here you are, changing leads, suctioning tubes, listening to alarms and staring at monitors. 
Here you are, praying that soon you can hold your baby for the first time. 
Here you are, telling yourself to dig deep, it has to get better. 

It’s your first Father’s Day and you never expected to be spending it here, in the NICU, but here you are… 
and you’re doing an amazing job.  
You’re a champion for your baby and you’re a hero to your baby’s mother, 
best of all… You are a father. 

Happy Father’s Day 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written By:  Jennifer Oliver Smith 
NICU Parent, Silvie Bells CEO and Silvie Bells Blog Contributor 
December 14, 2015, Silvana was born at 41 weeks with severe Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).  She was given a 10% chance of survival.  I promised her that if she made it, I would pay it forward somehow.  Happily she graduated the NICU after 49 days, making a full recovery.  Today she is a happy, healthy 3 year old.  I founded Silive Bells to fulfill my promise to her by supporting other NICU families.