Imagine not being able to celebrate baby's first Halloween.
How about baby's first smile?
Baby's first haircut?
As parent's, most of us are fortunate that we get to look forward to all these “firsts” for our babies. We get to celebrate milestones, take pictures and look back on those events with a smile.
While we're basking in the joy and celebrating the little and big moments, it's easy to forget that not every parent has that luxury.
Too many parents have to wait for their own babies to be well enough to go home, to mark the calendar and start cheering over all those Firsts. Tragically, not every parent gets to bring their baby home.
In the United States, 1 in 10 babies is born too early. Most require extensive medical attention, including NICU care.
Moms and dads with babies in the NICU need so much support, but how can we do that if we don't know someone currently in that situation?
How to help parents with a baby in the NICU
Everyone can now support parents who need our encouragement more than ever. March of Dimes is helping Give them tomorrow by giving us the opportunity to do something today.
The first –and easiest– thing you can do is send a free message of HOPE to a family with a baby in the NICU. March of Dimes will then hand-deliver your card to the family.
Honestly, I love this idea so much. You have the option to personalize the message you send, but there's also a pre-written message that is absolutely fantastic for sending along your encouragement.
I'm imagining myself after a few days with a baby in the NICU. I feel like receiving an actual card with a message from a stranger who cares enough to make the effort would do something to lift my spirits!
The second thing you can do is share your own family's firsts on social media with hashtags #babysfirst and #givethemtomorrow. Anything from their first breath to their first day of school is something to celebrate, and you know you have tons of pictures of all those special times. Share your adorable pictures and help spread the Give them tomorrow message.
If you don't want to share your own pictures you can hit the Retweet button on the tweet below to show your support.
We're celebrating #BabysFirst moments and sending messages of hope to #Givethemtomorrow!
See how you can help → https://t.co/NiD8sesIul #ad pic.twitter.com/UZfYu4b96j
— Marybeth: BabySavers (@BabySavers) October 4, 2016
The third thing you can do to support these families is donate to March of Dimes. Your donation will fund prematurity research that saves babies' lives.
While there are three options, the most important thing to do is just take action! Doing one thing means you're taking a step to help other parents!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of March of Dimes. The opinions and text are all mine.