Guest: Dr. Jessica Smith, PT, DPT — Pediatric Physical Therapist & Founder of Rocketship PT
🌐 https://rocketshippt.mykajabi.com/offers/55vpddcM/checkout
📱 Instagram → @rocketship_pt
🎥 YouTube → Rocketship PT
Description:
Many NICU graduates leave the hospital with a few extra things to monitor — and motor development is one of the biggest. From torticollis (tight neck muscles) to flat spots on the head (plagiocephaly), these are common issues for NICU babies, but with the right support, families can make huge progress at home.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jessica Smith, a pediatric physical therapist and founder of Rocketship PT. Jessica specializes in early intervention and helps parents feel confident supporting their baby’s development through play, movement, and simple, realistic exercises.
We talk about why NICU babies are more prone to these challenges, what early signs parents and doulas can look for, and how to prevent overwhelm by focusing on small, consistent steps that make a big difference.
Whether you’re a parent wanting to understand your baby’s unique needs or a doula supporting families after discharge, this conversation will leave you feeling informed and empowered.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to NICU Development and Support
05:25 The Journey to Pediatric Care
10:19 Understanding NICU Challenges: Torticollis and Plagiocephaly
14:45 The Importance of Early Intervention
18:08 Tummy Time: Myths and Realities
21:50 Practical Tips for NICU Parents
25:10 Navigating NICU Transitions
30:37 Finding Your Family's Rhythm
34:49 Understanding Developmental Milestones
38:40 The Helmet Debate: To Wear or Not to Wear?
42:52 Sifting Through Products and Solutions
45:05 Resources for NICU Families
Key Topics Covered:
Why NICU graduates are at higher risk for torticollis and plagiocephaly.
The connection between positioning, muscle tone, and early motor development.
How to support tummy time in ways that feel safe and achievable for NICU babies.
Early red flags of flat spots and when to seek professional help.
How physical therapy can empower families, not intimidate them.
Jessica’s mission behind Rocketship PT and how her online resources are helping families everywhere.
Resources & Links:
Rocketship PT Self-Guided Course → https://rocketshippt.mykajabi.com/offers/55vpddcM/checkout
Virtual 1:1 PT sessions available through Rocketship PT
Get my free guide: 5 Things Every Doula Needs to Know About NICU Babies and Their Families
Connect with me on Instagram
Keywords:
NICU motor development, torticollis in preemies, plagiocephaly in NICU babies, pediatric physical therapy tips, NICU baby milestones, tummy time after NICU, early intervention for preemies, Rocketship PT
Most parents leave the NICU hoping they’ll never have to return. For Jillian, walking back into those hospital doors meant something entirely different — she was returning as a NICU doula, hired to support families right at the bedside.
In this inspiring interview, Jillian shares her journey from NICU parent to professional advocate, the steps she took to step into her new role, and how her work is already making an impact for families and staff alike. If you’ve ever wondered what a NICU doula can do or dreamed about turning your personal NICU story into a career that changes lives, this conversation is for you.
Resources & Links:
Join the NICU Doula Academy waitlist
Connect with me on Instagram
Connect with Jillian on Instagram
The future of NICU support is here — and Jillian’s story shows what’s possible.
About Jillian:
Jillian is a former NICU parent who turned her own long and challenging NICU experience into a mission to support other families walking a similar path. She trained as a NICU doula through Mary’s NICU Doula Academy and is completing her certification. Jillian will soon be working part-time in the hospital, where she’ll walk alongside NICU families, offering comfort, understanding, and guidance through this tender season.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Jillian's NICU Journey
04:25 The Unexpected NICU Experience
07:10 Memorable Moments in the NICU
09:53 Support Systems and NICU Family
12:40 Transitioning Home from the NICU
15:34 The Challenges of Homecoming
18:11 Exploring the Role of a NICU Doula
25:29 Understanding the NICU Experience
29:43 The Role of a NICU Doula
33:58 Implementing Change in NICU Care
39:13 The Future of NICU Support
46:41 Connecting with the NICU Community
SEO Keywords: NICU doula, NICU bedside support, NICU advocacy, NICU parent story, becoming a NICU doula, NICU doula training, NICU career change, supporting NICU families, NICU Doula Academy.
The NICU journey is full of emotions — joy, grief, gratitude, trauma, and everything in between. For some families, those emotions continue long after discharge, especially when facing loss or long-term medical complexities.
In this episode, I’m joined by Mahaley Patel, LMFT, PMH-C — a therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, grief, trauma, and infant/child loss, and the co-author of Your NICU Story. Mahaley shares her perspective as both a clinician and a bereaved parent, and offers families and professionals tools for processing their NICU experience in ways that honor both the heartbreak and the hope.
We’ll talk about why storytelling matters in healing, how to support grieving families with compassion, and the power of reflective practices like journaling to make sense of the NICU journey. Whether you’re a parent, doula, or professional, this conversation will invite you to see the NICU story as something worth telling — and worth holding with care.
Resources & Links:
Get my free guide: 5 Things Every Doula Needs to Know About NICU Babies and Their Families
Learn more about Mahaley’s work
Connect with Mahaley on Instagram
Check out Mahaley’s book: Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience is a guided journal and healing tool to help NICU families process the emotions, questions, and memories that shape their NICU story. With compassionate prompts, parent stories, and reflections for partners, this book is an invitation to process grief, gratitude, and everything in between. Whether your child is thriving today or forever held in your heart, this book is for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to NICU Stories
01:55 Mahaley's NICU Journey
06:32 Creating Your NICU Story
09:10 When to Use the NICU Story Tool
12:48 Micro Moments of Healing
18:30 The Partner's Experience in the NICU
26:48 Supporting Families as Healthcare Providers
30:24 The Impact of Care in the NICU
34:17 Emotional Connections and Lasting Memories
38:33 Navigating Grief and Support
40:44 Practical Support for NICU Families
45:16 The Importance of Presence and Acknowledgment
52:05 The Power of Connection in Healing
SEO Keywords: NICU grief support, NICU family mental health, NICU storytelling, perinatal trauma, infant loss support, NICU journaling, healing after the NICU, NICU parent resources, NICU doula
Advocating for your NICU baby doesn’t have to mean conflict — in fact, the best advocacy builds bridges and strengthens your baby’s care team.
In this episode, NICU parent and NICU Doula Academy graduate Shayna Abraham shares her practical, compassionate approach to finding the right providers, recognizing when things aren’t working, and making changes with confidence and respect. You’ll learn the signs of a strong provider relationship, how to address concerns effectively, and tips for building a support network that truly meets your baby’s needs.
Whether you’re a NICU parent, doula, or other birth professional, this conversation will leave you feeling more confident in your role as your baby’s advocate.
Resources & Links:
Get my free guide: 5 Things Every Doula Needs to Know About NICU Babies and Their Families
Connect with me on Instagram
Take Shaya’s survey
Advocacy in the NICU isn’t just possible — it’s powerful.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to NICU Journeys
04:00 Shayna's NICU Experience and Advocacy
06:41 Navigating Post-NICU Care
09:04 Finding the Right Care Team
11:42 Red Flags in Healthcare Providers
14:16 Effective Communication with Providers
16:49 Building a Support Team Post-Discharge
19:20 The Importance of Community Support
21:57 Survey for NICU Families
24:23 Conclusion and Resources
SEO Keywords: NICU advocacy tips, NICU care team, finding the right NICU providers, NICU parent resources, NICU support network, NICU doula advice, advocating for NICU baby, NICU provider relationships
Preemies are incredible — but their journey in the NICU looks very different from that of a full-term baby. From learning how to breathe and eat, to staying warm and conserving energy, every step is a milestone worth celebrating.
In this episode of The NICU Translated Podcast, I’m sharing the top 5 things I want every parent and professional to know about preemies while they’re still in the NICU. We’ll talk about why breathing takes practice, why feeding is often the last big hurdle, and how even simple acts like your voice or your touch play a powerful role in your baby’s healing and development.
Whether you’re a NICU parent or a doula supporting families, this episode will give you practical insight and encouragement to feel more confident in the NICU journey.
Resources & Links:
Get my free guide: 5 Things Every Doula Needs to Know About NICU Babies and Their Families
Learn more about NICU Doula Academy
Timestamps:
00:00 Understanding Premature Babies
00:59 Common Myths About the NICU
02:18 Breathing Challenges for Preemies
06:20 Temperature Regulation in Premature Infants
08:35 Feeding Difficulties and Milestones
11:53 Energy Conservation in Preemies
15:40 The Importance of Bonding
19:15 Conclusion and Resources for Support
SEO Keywords: preemie facts, preemie care basics, premature baby development, adjusted age preemie, bonding with preemie, preemie growth, NICU preemie tips, preemie parent support.
“When can my baby go home?” If you’ve ever been in the NICU, you’ve probably asked it — or thought it. It’s a natural question, but the answer is rarely simple. In this episode, I’m breaking down the key milestones babies need to reach before discharge, what can speed up or slow down that process, and how parents can be actively involved in getting their baby ready for that big day.
You’ll leave with a clearer picture of what “ready to go home” really means — and how to celebrate each step along the way.
Resources & Links:
Get my free guide: 5 Things Every Doula Needs to Know About NICU Babies and Their Families
Timestamps:
00:00 Understanding NICU Discharge: The Big Question
02:00 Key Milestones for NICU Discharge
07:42 Feeding Challenges and Solutions
12:41 Preparing for Discharge: Checklists and Education
17:18 The Journey Beyond NICU: Transitioning Home
Keywords: NICU discharge, when can baby leave NICU, NICU milestones, NICU going home checklist, preemie going home, NICU discharge criteria, NICU parent support
When Leilah planned her birth, the NICU wasn’t even on her radar. But an unexpected turn led her to deliver a micro-preemie and face weeks in the hospital — an experience that tested her strength, reshaped her perspective, and revealed the power of mindset in the hardest seasons of motherhood.
In this deeply personal conversation, Leilah shares the emotional rollercoaster of NICU life, the spiritual and practical tools that helped her navigate it, and the lessons she wishes every NICU parent knew. Whether you’re in the NICU now, supporting someone who is, or a birth professional looking to better serve families, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, grounded, and full of hope.
Because the NICU is only the beginning — and together, we can make this journey less overwhelming and more empowering.
Resources & Links:
Grab your free guide: 5 Things Every Doula Needs to Know About NICU Babies and Their Families
Guest Bio:
Leilah Robinson is a NICU mom and the creator of Moms Alignd Collective, a space that helps moms find balance, connection, and empowerment in motherhood. After her own journey with a 24-week preemie and months in the NICU, she’s passionate about sharing the emotional tools, body practices, and even spiritual insights that helped her through it. With over 15 years of experience in movement and stress management, Leilah empowers moms to embrace balance, inner strength, and trust in their unique path of motherhood.
Connect with Leilah at Alignd Living or on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/momsalignd/
A note from Leilah:
My ebook is a love letter to NICU moms, weaving my own story with gentle tools and reminders to help you move through the whirlwind of emotions that come with the NICU. It’s here to help you feel grounded, trust yourself, and find moments of peace and empowerment, even in the middle of uncertainty.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to NICU Journeys
02:33 Leela's Pregnancy Experience and NICU Reality
06:07 The Birth Experience: Expectations vs. Reality
10:11 Connecting with Spirit Babies
14:20 Navigating Emotions in the NICU
20:11 Establishing a Routine in the NICU
30:23 Support Systems and Relationships During NICU Stay
36:47 Navigating Support During NICU Challenges
40:07 Finding the Right Kind of Support
42:57 Cherished Moments in the NICU
46:03 Transitioning Home from the NICU
52:05 The First Year Home: Challenges and Growth
Keywords: NICU mom story, micro-preemie journey, home birth to NICU, NICU mindset tips, spirit babies, navigating NICU as a parent, NICU hope stories, preemie parent support, NICU family podcast.
Stepping into the NICU can feel like landing in a completely different world — one with its own language, routines, and cast of characters. In this episode, I’m breaking down the essentials so you can start feeling more confident, informed, and ready to be an active part of your baby’s care team.
We’ll cover what the NICU is, who’s on your baby’s care team, the most common terms you’ll hear, and how to get oriented so you feel less like a visitor and more like the vital parent or support person you are. Whether you’re here for your own baby or to better support the families you serve, this episode will give you a solid foundation.
Resources & Links:
Download my free guide: 5 Things Every Doula Needs to Know About NICU Babies and Their Families
Follow me on Instagram for daily NICU tips
NICU Birth Plan Template: https://app.thenicutranslator.com/nicubirthplan
Suggested NICU Journals:
The NICU Notebook: https://thenicunotebook.com/
Your NICU Story: https://a.co/d/0iPbVRD
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the NICU Experience
01:56 Understanding the NICU: Definition and Purpose
03:42 Levels of NICU Care Explained
07:17 Meet the NICU Care Team
11:46 Navigating the NICU Environment
15:35 Establishing Routines and Communication
19:11 The Importance of Parental Involvement
22:01 Preparing for the NICU: Birth Plan Template
Keywords: NICU 101, NICU basics, NICU explained, NICU terminology, NICU care team, NICU orientation, preemie care basics, navigating the NICU, NICU support tips
When I first stepped into the NICU as a new nurse, I had no idea how much it would shape my life — or how many families I’d meet who felt overwhelmed, out of place, and desperate for clarity. Years later, after becoming a doula and educator, I realized that what families need most in the NICU is a translator: someone who can bridge the gap between medical expertise and compassionate, human support.
In this very first episode, I’m sharing my story — from my early NICU days to launching The NICU Translator — and the “aha” moments that shaped my mission to bring more joy and less trauma to the NICU experience. I’ll also give you a peek at what’s to come in this podcast and how it can support you, whether you’re a parent, a doula, or another professional working with NICU families.
Resources & Links:
Grab your free guide: 5 Things Every Doula Needs to Know About NICU Babies and Their Families → https://app.thenicutranslator.com/nicubirthplan
Connect with me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thenicutranslator/
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the NICU Experience
01:08 Mary's Journey to Nursing and the NICU
07:02 The Special Nature of NICU Nursing
09:55 The Importance of Empowered Education
11:32 Personal Experiences and Insights as a Parent
17:16 Founding the NICU Translator
21:01 The Role of NICU Doulas
23:35 The NICU Translated Podcast Overview
Keywords: NICU nurse story, NICU doula, navigating the NICU, NICU podcast, NICU advocacy, NICU support for parents, NICU doula training, NICU emotional support
Welcome to The NICU Translated Podcast, where we break down the complex world of the NICU into clear, relatable insights for families and the professionals who support them. Hosted by Mary Farrelly—a certified NICU nurse, doula, and educator—this podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the NICU with confidence and compassion.
Whether you’re a doula looking to better support NICU families, a healthcare professional seeking deeper understanding, or a parent preparing for or living through a NICU journey, you’ll find actionable tips, evidence-based guidance, and heartfelt stories to inspire and empower you.
Each week, we’ll explore topics like:
With episodes featuring expert advice, list-style guides, and real-life interviews, The NICU Translated Podcast is here to equip you with the tools and knowledge to make the NICU journey less overwhelming and more empowering.
Subscribe now and join our community dedicated to bringing more joy and less trauma to the NICU experience—because the NICU is only the beginning.
Let’s navigate this journey together.