JPS Health Network recently hosted its fourth annual NICU Read-A-Thon from September 14–24 as part of Babies with Books, an effort to support babies and their families and help make the NICU experience a little more comforting. More than 20 families participated, sharing books and special moments with their little ones. This year, the JPS NICU logged 93 total reading sessions.
Reading to babies is not only a special way for parents to spend time with their child, but it also supports early brain development, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Hearing a parent’s voice through reading and conversation helps build language and communication skills while giving families a special way to connect with their baby. JPS encourages parents to read to their babies during NICU visits, especially when they are awake and alert. Parents can hold their baby while reading when possible or read to them while they’re resting in their bed.
“Reading with babies in the NICU also provides an important opportunity for families to have a positive moment of normalcy and bonding with their babies,” said Summer Hutchinson, BSN, RNC-NIC, Neonatal ICU. “These are especially important for babies with prolonged hospitalizations, babies at high risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, and babies with socioeconomically disadvantaged families. Studies suggest that providing books to NICU families increases reading, supports brain development, and encourages lifelong reading habits.”
The hope is that parents will continue to read to their babies even after their time in the NICU. JPS encourages families to make reading together part of their everyday routine at home, too.
