We hope you like the products we recommend! So you know, Graham’s Foundation does not receive any compensation for any click throughs or sales from any of these items. There are suggestions from our preemie parents staff members for preemie parents – and we want this list to grow! Send us your preemie suggestions to: [email protected]
Children’s Books
1. “I Was a Preemie” by Ali Dunn
A wonderful children’s book that shows preemies what they went through, and that they are not alone. It is great for preemies of any age but was developed specifically for younger children to help them understand their own premature start. Available on her website as well as Amazon.
2. NICU (Dad) Strong by Rachel Bowen
Being a NICU father can be a daunting task. You have many new roles, often months before you were expecting. You tell yourself you must support your partner and continue working full time — all while trying to process how you will be able to support your fragile, new child. A father’s NICU journey and mental health are important topics, and they deserve to have their own story. Enter this book, the NICU journey from the father’s unique, often untold, point of view.
Rachel Bowman is a Registered Nurse and mother of two daughters. While working as a RN in the NICU, Rachel observed a discrepancy in the support provided to the mother compared to the father of her tiny patients. With so much focus being placed on the infant and mother, especially during the early days, the father can feel forgotten and helpless.
3. I Needed the NICU Just Like You by Ali Dunn
Ali writes a sweet children’s book that shows babies what they went through and that they are not alone. Rhyming text re imagines the NICU experience as an amazing adventure. This book is perfect for children of any age but was developed specifically for toddlers as an introduction to their own NICU experience.
4. Supreemie by Nico Shanel
This book takes readers on a journey with a micro premature baby named Kylo. Born weighing just 1 pound 3 ounces, Kylo may be small but that doesn’t stop him from being strong. He’ll have to stay in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), which is way different from mommy’s belly until he’s big and strong enough to go home. But adventure and growth await him during his hospital stay. This story follows Kylo on his journey to grow stronger and bigger.
It comes with a NICU Glossary that can help little ones or even relatives and family friends learn a little more about the NICU experience.
5. I Was Small But Now I’m Tall by Jennifer Degl
I Was Small, But Now I’m Tall is an engaging book for a child who was born prematurely, telling the tale of their earliest days in life in simple terms that kids can relate to. It tells the story of a baby that was born much too early and spent many months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This premature baby, like many others, overcame the obstacles that threatened her survival and grew into a strong child.
6. Sammie the Salmon by Debra Kline
“Always Believe in Miracles” is Debra’s mantra. She wrote Sammie the Salmon to help other families going through the preemie and NICU journey.
Sammie the Salmon is an adorable story about a salmon that was born very early and goes through all the same experiences as babies born prematurely. It’s a tale of love and letting go of fears associated with having a premature child. Sammie begins his life as a tiny little fish, but quickly grows into the “biggest salmon anyone had ever seen”! This is a story of hope meant to inspire other families with miracle babies. It is written by a mom of a baby born at 26 weeks, weighing 1 lb. 13 oz. Sam stayed in the NICU for three months.
7. From my NICU Window by Amiris Sabo
Amiris is an Author, preeclampsia advocate, medical interpreter and book translator. She is also the mother of two NICU babies that were born early because of preeclampsia. She enjoys helping other women that are experiencing problems during pregnancy, child loss and life in the NICU. Her children are everything to her and it is because of them that she writes.
8. My Baby is a Superhero! by Stephanie Laskoskie
In 2016, Stephanie’s twins surprised her and her family with their dramatic entry into this world at 23 weeks 2 days gestation. They were relatively huge weighing 1lb7oz and 1lb9oz. On Day 10, both twins went into complete respiratory failure and were not expected to live through the night. Stephanie’s older kids, 3 and 6 years old, saw her brokenness upon receiving that news and asked her “are the babies going to be with Jesus?” In that moment, she realized that as much as she tried to protect them from the scary reality, they were walking every step of the journey with them. Stephanie began to look for resources to help her children and found some great children’s books that explained the NICU world, but none of them conveyed the message she was looking for. She wanted to acknowledge that this experience is hard and to tell her kids – you are brave, you are resilient, you are strong, and you are real life superheroes! With that, “My baby is a superhero!” was born. The book explains the NICU world to young siblings and reminds them that they are superheroes too. 100% of the proceeds of the book go back to supporting NICU siblings through donations of superhero care packages and stuffed animals.
9. The Potter’s Preemie by Jordan Drye
Author Jordan Drye wrote a love letter written to each of her sons. Jordan wanted each of them to know how loved they are by her and their daddy and, most importantly, by God. She also wanted them to know that despite their early start, God has a wonderful and unique plan for each of them. She and her husband are hopeful that this book will provide continued encouragement for families that share the journey of prematurity. Available on Amazon!
10. Peanut: A Storybook for Mighty Preemies
“Little baby, I understand that life never goes exactly as planned, and that something so little can be something so grand.” This is a story for small but mighty preemie babies. It’s a story about love.Arthor Lindsay Nolan is married to her husband, Danny and is the mommy of a little peanut named Henry. Born two months premature after Lindsay developed preeclampsia early in her pregnancy, Henry arrived at 2 lbs., 15 ounces. Lindsay wrote “Peanut” while living at the hospital during Henry’s NICU stay and illustrated the book based off of actual photos and events. Her hope is to offer support to other parents of preemie babies who share a common experience of love, as well as to thank NICU doctors and nurses who go above and beyond in their work. Peanut is available on Amazon!
11. Christmas in the NICU by Amiris Sobo
How the book came about: The year 2018 was a really hard year for our family, not only our baby came at 27 weeks gestation, but he was born October 31st and spent 95 days in the NICU. We spent thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years in the NICU. A Christmas in the NICU talks about some of the issues and feelings we experienced while there.
Amiris is a Published Author, preeclampsia advocate, medical interpreter and book translator. She is also the mother of two NICU babies that were born early because of preeclampsia. She enjoys helping other women that are experiencing problems during pregnancy, child loss and life in the NICU. her children are everything to her and it is because of them that she writes.
12. My Very Little Sister and the Very Big Story by Alina Brett
A children’s book written by Alina, a 4 year old girl to help families of premature and sick babies. Alina has written the book from her perspective to reassure siblings and families going through similar experiences that they are not alone. Alina’s sister was born at 24 weeks and spent 5 months in 4 different hospitals before coming home on oxygen. Her birth had a huge impact on Alina and how she decided to write a book.
13. We Were Born Ten Weeks Early by Jasmine Chatman
Two Miracles, one of which is a survivor of NEC.
Our family lived 175 days of NICU life at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Through all of the prayers, tears, setbacks, milestones and victories, The Super Twins made it and are now flourishing! Click here to purchase!
Toys For Preemies
Some Preemies are easily overstimulated by toys that have lots of digital beeps, bells and whistles. Simple toys – aka “classic” are suggested. A few suggestions:
1. Fisher-Price Rock a Stack
It’s a classic. Rings are bright and lightweight, but not flimsy. Rocking base encourages curiosity. Bonus is that it’s budget friendly.
2. Fisher-Price Baby’s First blocks Shape sorter
Another classic from Fisher Price! These chunky, colorful blocks help introduce colors and shapes as babies sort, stack and drop the blocks through the slots in the bucket lid.
Fun for your little one.
3. WubbaNub
A great pacifier for babies coming out of the NICU. The medical grade, silicone pacifier is similar to the ones used in the NICU. The animal of your choice helps keep the pacifier near the baby’s mouth without using cord or clips. Plus it is easy for baby to grasp.
3. Finn the Panda by Finn & Co.
Finn the Panda helps provide comfort and soothing when parents can’t be in the NICU or PICU with their babies. For more information and to order: https://finnandcogifts.com
Preemie Clothing
1. Deluxe Pacifier Case by Silver Maple
An infant’s immune system takes 2 to 3 months to fully develop. Premature babies have an immature system which takes longer develop and they have an increased risk of infection. The Deluxe Paci case by Silver Maple was developed with newborn baby’s hygiene in mind. It helps keep your pacifiers clean and sanitary which is so important for preemies. 2 Storage compartments keep clean and used pacifiers aware from each other. Also, pacifiers aren’t lost in your diaper bag or purse, collecting lint and crumbs!
2. Evie Rae Crochet
Evie Rae Crochet specializes in knit and crocheted items for babies through adults, as well as items to fit 18 inch dolls! Evie Rae Crochet are a military spouse owned and operated business. All items are made by hand by a grandmother, granddaughter team and are packaged with care and attention to detail. We have multiple hat options available in both micro preemie and preemie sizes. Many of their preemie options are customizable in the size and colors of your choice! Plus they are always open to custom requests!
2. The Preemie Store
An amazing web store for all things preemie related. Clothes for micros 1 lb and up. Cothes for the NICU, Preemie gear, “Do Not Touch” tags and already featured WubbaNubs among other items!
For Preemie Parents
1. Life With Grace by Jennifer Schwertfeger
“Life with Grace” is the inspirational story about how one preemie’s will to survive gave an entire family strength. “Life with Grace” is a heartfelt memoir and helpful resource for families struggling to navigate the NICU experience. One in every eight babies born in the United States is premature, and Grace is living proof that faith can carry you through journeys that feel impossible.
2. From Hope to Joy: A Memoir of a Mother’s Determination and Her Micro Preemie’s Struggle to Beat the Odds by Jennifer Degl.
Jennifer Degl brings her readers on an emotional roller coaster from the decision to get pregnant—and nearly dying four times during her pregnancy—to the birth of her daughter, Joy, seventeen weeks early, and this tiny baby’s fight to survive.
3. Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies.
The only parent reference book for preemies of its kind. Graham’s Foundation may be a bit biased on this choice as it is our reference guide and Dr. Mia Doron is not only a board member but helped develop the My Preemie app.
4. Got Faith? Game On! by Janelle L. Awls
Janelle is a writer, journalist and preemie mom who resides in Toledo, Ohio. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family. She received her associate’s degree from Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown, Va. In 2004. She received her bachelor’s degree in 2006 from the American University School of Communication in Washington, D.C. with a minor in education studies from the School of Education.
5. Strong Faith by Jamie C JohnsoStrong Faith – Daily Encouragement for Moms & Families of Premature Babies By Jamie C Johnson.
The journey of motherhood can sometimes look different than we expected. Being a mother of a premature Little One presents reasonable concerns and wearisome challenges. Jamie Johnson understands this experience all too well. But amidst it all, she learned that her Little One was in very caring and capable hands. In Strong Faith, Jamie shares her experiences and, with authenticity and encouragement.
