NICU-Family Centered Care

​Today's hospitals are focused on "Family Centered Care", meaning the medical staff is involving families ain patient care. In the NICU, parents and grandparents are encouraged to visit often, hold babies, feed babies, assist nurses with bathing, and complete diaper changes. Even siblings as young as three are encouraged to visit. 

Prior to co-founding Barski Vail Designs, LLC, I (Chelsea Vail), worked as a Child Life Specialist. In both my practicum and internship I spent time in NICUs and as a professional I was the NICU backup. I consider myself a medical professional. I'm comfortable holding babies regardless of size, health, medical devices or machines that may be in the way. I'm trained to be comfortable and I've experienced it all.

However, when my son, Cash was in the NICU after birth, I found myself feeling like a fish out of water at his bedside. I was in the NICU as a parent, not a staff member. I didn't feel comfortable touching or holding my own son without expressed permission. I was worried I'd accidentally unlatch an EKG lead or tangle a central line. I didn't want nurses upset with me because I was so fragile as a new mom- still healing both physically and emotionally. 

Woombie Med Pods, Gel Pods, and Bili Pods prevent this nervous feeling and help support Family Centered Care initiative. A neonate wrapped tightly in a Woombie is not at risk for tangled leads because they fit in the specifically placed slits on the front, back, and sides. The limbs are held securely in the 360 degree swaddle sack to avoid startling the infant and causing an unnecessary flight or flight response. A parent, or caregiver, may find the neonate less intimidating to hold when they're swaddled in a Woombie Med Pod.

Unwrapping an infant from a traditional blanket swaddle to change a diaper can be overstimulating and waste valuable energy, but the patented double zipper allows parents and staff to access the baby for diaper changes without disturbance. Imagine the wave of calm over the mother changing her baby's diaper while he rests peacefully in his swaddle.

"Gosh, I would've felt much better leaving my babies everyday knowing they were wrapped up in that thing. At least they would've felt like I was still there." -Katie, Austin, TX, mother of twins