What a NICU Occupational Therapist Wants Parents to Know – Podcast Ep 40
Menu
Subscribe Search
Home > Postpartum > NICU

What a NICU Occupational Therapist Wants Parents to Know – Podcast Ep 40

We're chatting with Dr. Aimee Ketchum, a NICU occupational therapist, about everything parents need to know about babies in the NICU.

Published September 1, 2020

by Nina Spears

The Baby Chick®: Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expert
Share
  • Link copied
Two medical professionals in blue scrubs are observing a newborn in an incubator. The baby, wearing a diaper and monitored by a tube, is surrounded by medical equipment. The setting clearly appears to be the NICU, emphasizing the high level of care provided for these infants.

This article contains affiliate links. These opinions are our own. However, if you buy something, we may earn a small commission, which helps us keep our content free to our readers. ❤️


Welcoming a child into the world is one of the greatest days of a parent’s life. However, if that newborn child has to be separated due to being preterm, having health complications, or other reasons, that separation can be scary for parents. If the baby needs more medical attention, they are taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Most parents are unfamiliar with NICUs, which can also be scary. But it doesn’t have to be.

Today’s episode is about the NICU and what parents need to know if their new baby ever has to go there. As a NICU occupational therapist for years, Dr. Aimee Ketchum is breaking it all down for us and giving us parents all the details.

Dr. Ketchum mentioned during our episode that if you are interested in learning more about the history of NICUs and premature birth, check out the book “Early” by Sarah DiGregorio

Related article:

We hope you found this episode helpful. If you did and enjoyed it, please subscribe to our podcast, Chick Chat, and leave us an honest review. Links below!

Share
  • Link copied
Was this article helpful?
  • Author
A woman with long blonde hair is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a turquoise blouse and gold hoop earrings. The background is filled with green foliage.
Nina Spears The Baby Chick®: Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expert
  • Social
  • Social
  • Social
  • Social
  • Social
  • Social

Nina is The Baby Chick® & Editor-in-Chief of Baby Chick®. She received her baby planning certification in early 2011 and began attending births that same year. Since then, Nina has received her birth doula and postpartum doula certifications from DONA International, her childbirth educator certification from ICEA, her Hynobabies Hypno-Doula certification, and her infant massage instructor certification from Loving Touch, among other certifications. Nina has used her knowledge and expertise to teach and support families during their pregnancies, at their births, and throughout their postpartum journeys for over a decade.

Early in her career, Nina acquired her nickname from one of her birth doula clients, who lovingly referred to her as “The Baby Chick.” The “chick” who knows all about babies.…

See all from Nina Spears
You might also like
A black and white image of a sleeping newborn baby lying on its side. The baby, born preterm, has curly hair and a breathing tube attached to its nose. The background is soft and out of focus.

Preterm Birth: What Is It and What Are the Risks?
NICU
A micro preemie in an incubator holds onto an adult's finger. The tiny baby, wearing a diaper and connected to medical tubes, grips tightly as the adult's hand gently touches their small hand.

Preemie Developmental Milestones: What To Expect
Newborns (0 - 2 months)
A newborn baby in the NICU lies on a blue blanket inside an incubator. An adult's finger gently touches the baby's foot. The baby is wearing a diaper and has a hospital wristband. The background is out of focus, emphasizing the baby and the interaction.

The Heartbreak of Leaving the Hospital with Your Baby in the NICU
NICU
A NICU baby lies in an incubator with medical tubes attached while an adult wearing a white mask and shirt looks through the glass, placing a hand on the baby's head. The scene appears to take place in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Activities To Do With Your NICU Baby
NICU
A woman is sitting in an orange chair holding two premature newborn babies, one in each arm. She is looking down at them while smiling. There is a hospital bassinet with white linens and medical equipment in the background.

Experiencing Premature Birth…Twice: One Mom’s Story
Birth Stories
A newborn baby lies in an incubator surrounded by medical equipment. The baby, wearing a diaper, has several wires and tubes attached, indicative of medical monitoring and support. The scene is characteristic of NICU babies in a clinical setting, suggesting a hospital neonatal unit.

A Mother’s Letter to Her NICU Babies
NICU
The interior of a vehicle showcasing two car seats in the back seat, each holding a stuffed animal. The left seat features an owl plush toy, while the right hosts a plush dog toy. Two rear-facing windows reveal a green outdoor area beyond.

Empty Car Seats: A Mother’s Story of Loss
Motherhood
A newborn baby lies in an incubator while connected to various medical monitors. The baby is wearing a diaper, and an adult's hand is gently holding the baby's foot. The baby has monitoring pads and wires attached to its body, highlighting the critical care environment where NICU gifts can make a difference.

Top 10 NICU Gifts for Preemies and Their Parents
NICU
A newborn baby lies in an incubator with its eyes closed. An adult, likely one of the dedicated NICU nurses, stands beside the incubator with one hand on the transparent cover and the other inside, gently touching the baby. The scene appears to be in a medical facility.

What Do NICU Nurses Do? What You Should Know
NICU
A woman wearing a hospital gown holds a premature baby in her arms. The baby, dressed in pink clothing and a white hat, is connected to medical tubes. They are in a medical setting with blurred equipment in the background, highlighting the need to help a NICU mom during this challenging time.

How to Help a NICU Mom and Show That You Care
NICU
An infant lies in an incubator with medical wires attached to its chest and left hand. An adult hand, likely that of a NICU mom, gently holds the baby's right hand. The infant is covered in a white cloth, and a tube is connected to the baby's hand with medical tape and bandage.

6 Things a NICU Mom Wants You to Know
NICU
A newborn baby lies in an incubator, covered with a white blanket. A NICU mom's hand gently touches the baby's back through the incubator's access ports. The mom is visible through the clear walls of the incubator, smiling down at her NICU baby.

8 Things a NICU Mom Doesn’t Want to Hear
NICU
A close-up image of an adult hand gently holding a small NICU baby's foot. The red light around the baby's foot suggests medical monitoring or a health check. The background is blurred and includes a blanket or fabric.

5 Things Your NICU Baby Wants You to Know
NICU
A toddler and an adult sit on a carpeted floor in a playroom. The toddler, wearing an orange dress, plays with a stuffed bear, while the occupational therapist, wearing a white long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans, watches and interacts. Toys and a wicker basket are scattered around them.

How An Occupational Therapist Can Help Your Child
Toddlers (1 - 2 years)
A baby wearing a red outfit sits on a brown leather couch with a framed photo placed beside them. The background consists of a light blue wall with decorative molding. The neonatal ICU graduate is looking towards the right, appearing curious.

Tips for Surviving a Stay in the NICU
NICU
Subscribe to our newsletter