When Every Little Thing Matters: Nestled in the NICU
This summer, two of my good friends welcomed beautiful babies into the world. They were both immediately whisked away to the NICU, spending the first few weeks of their lives in the care of the wonderful staff at our local hospitals. At the same time, their parents navigated loving the newest member of their family while also balancing everything that comes with a NICU stay.
No one goes into parenthood expecting or planning for a stay in the NICU, and so much of the experience is out of their control. All of their focus and care is aimed at their brand-new baby, and often support for the caregivers can feel like an afterthought. Nestled in the NICU was born with the mission "to create a community of support for families that are experiencing a neonatal intensive care unit stay with their infant."
Born from her own experience as a NICU parent, founder Nicole Cox gave birth in 2020 at 34 weeks gestation. Her beautiful son, Liam, spent 27 days in the care of the NICU team before he was able to come home. Out of this stay, a new family was born for Nicole, but something so much bigger was also born for NICU families across Northern Colorado.
She spent time researching and connecting with other families in similar situations, and Nestled in the NICU (formerly known as Love From Liam) was created to provide tangible support to these families.Nestled in the NICU is a nonprofit established to provide support and care packages for families, and it has evolved into a community of support for families across Colorado. The organization partners with local hospitals, including UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins and Banner Health Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, to provide care packages, resources, and support for families navigating the incredibly difficult experience of having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The care package program is exactly that: a bag filled with love for caregivers. The bags help transport anything families need and include items the organizers wish they had during an unexpected hospital stay, such as (but not limited to) toiletries, a board book, a bonding blanket, fidgets and stress relievers, and cozy socks. Their mission is to create a community of support for families experiencing a neonatal intensive care unit stay with their infant.
For the families who receive these services, the small, tangible things that provide some sense of normalcy can make all the difference.
One such story comes from current board member Cara, who shared with us the difference the care package made for her and her husband during their daughter's NICU stay.
"In late 2022, I was admitted to Poudre Valley Hospital due to preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and my daughter, Charlotte, was later born prematurely at 30 weeks, 10 weeks early. She was 3 pounds, 7 ounces, and spent 68 days in the hospital.Once admitted to the hospital and the NICU became a reality, my husband, Taylor, and I had been preparing ourselves for Charlotte's NICU stay. Little did we know our preparations would feel insignificant. The reality is, nothing can truly prepare you for the challenging and exhausting process of having a child in the NICU, regardless of the length of stay. Nothing can prepare you for singing to your baby for the first time through a clear plastic wall. Nothing can prepare you for finally getting the chance to hold your child while it takes two people to carefully lift her, cords and wires and all, into your arms. Nothing can prepare you for spending your child's first Christmas, New Year's, and Valentine's Day in a quiet hospital room. Nothing feels normal about the NICU.
One day, Taylor and I arrived in our daughter's hospital room and saw a bag on the parent table. It had the Nestled in the NICU logo on the front, and as we opened it, we discovered the most lovely collection of items. From little hats and books for Charlotte to hygiene and comfort products for us, the bag was simply full of love.
Most importantly, our Nestled in the NICU bag brought us what I had wanted and needed from day one, which was some normalcy during our stay. It was a tangible reminder that our struggle was recognized and that we were not alone. The support that Nestled in the NICU gave to us was not just appreciated; it made a great impact on our experience."
Today, Cara serves on the board, helping expand support to even more families across Northern Colorado. Nestled in the NICU is now organizing its annual fundraising gala, Shine for the Smallest, so it can continue providing care packages, community, and support across Northern Colorado.
Shine for the Smallest is an evening that brings the community together to stand beside families with babies in the NICU. The evening includes a cocktail hour, dinner, a silent auction, music, and an inspiring presentation. It's a great excuse to get dressed up, enjoy a fun night out, and support an incredible cause.
Your presence helps provide care packages, emotional support, and practical resources when parents need them most. By attending, you help Nestled in the NICU continue offering steady, compassionate support during one of life's most overwhelming seasons.
Tickets for Shine for the Smallest are on sale now. This year's event will take place at Venue 319 in Loveland on October 17. Grab yours today, or learn more about supporting our littlest NOCO residents at
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