When the Holidays Are Hard: Supporting NICU Families with Milk Stork and Hand to Hold

The holidays can be especially challenging for NICU parents. While many gather in celebration, families with babies in the NICU often face long days filled with uncertainty, exhaustion, and the unique demands of pumping breast milk for their fragile newborns. This year, we’re proud to partner with Hand to Hold—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting NICU families with personalized emotional support and resources at no cost.

In the United States, 1 in 7 babies spends time in the NICU. Each day, 3,000 parents learn their baby will need intensive care, a life-altering reality that places immense emotional strain on families. NICU parents are up to 70% more likely to experience postpartum depression, and the stress of a high-risk pregnancy, traumatic birth, and the uncertainty of the NICU can even impact a mother’s ability to produce breast milk. However, breast milk is essential for NICU babies, providing critical antibodies and nutrients that help them grow stronger each day.

Support NICU Families This Holiday Season

This holiday season, we invite you to recognize the extraordinary work of Hand to Hold and the impact of their mission. With your support, we can make the holidays a little easier for NICU families and ensure they receive the care and encouragement they need, reminding them that they are not alone.

From November 19th to December 31st, when you purchase a Milk Cubby, 10% of each sale will go directly to Hand to Hold. Each purchase of a Milk Cubby not only provides practical support for individual NICU parents, but also contributes directly to an organization offering vital resources, guidance, and encouragement to NICU families across the country.

How Milk Cubby Helps

For NICU babies, breast milk isn’t just nourishment—it can be a lifeline. Breast milk provides critical nutrients that help these fragile infants grow stronger every day. But for NICU parents, meeting the demands of a rigorous pumping schedule can be overwhelming, especially during the holidays.

That’s where the Milk Cubby comes in. Designed to safely store every precious drop of life-saving breast milk and keep it refrigerated for up to 15 hours, Milk Cubby offers NICU parents peace of mind when they need it most. By gifting a Milk Cubby, you’re not just offering a thoughtful gesture—you’re giving parents a practical tool to support their babies’ health and growth.

Not sure if a NICU parent is pumping? Here’s how to ask with care.

If you know a family with a baby in the NICU, here are some ways to thoughtfully approach the idea of gifting a Milk Cubby:

• Start with Empathy: Begin with a message of support, asking how they’re doing and if they need anything specific.

• Ask Supportive Questions: Gently ask questions like, “How is feeding going for you and the baby?” or “Are you currently pumping or breastfeeding?”

• Respect Their Wishes: Not all parents may feel comfortable sharing their experiences, and that's okay. If that's the case, ask how you can support them.

Make an Impact This Holiday Season

This holiday, your gift can be a source of strength and relief. By purchasing a Milk Cubby for yourself or a pumping parent on your Christmas list, you’re helping NICU families keep breast milk safe and accessible, providing their babies with essential nourishment.

Join us in making a difference. This season, let’s show NICU families that they are not alone. Give the gift of Milk Cubby and help every NICU baby get the critical nutrients they need to grow stronger every day.

About Hand to Hold

Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides personalized emotional support, educational resources, and a welcoming community for NICU parents before, during, and after a NICU stay. By removing barriers, Hand to Hold ensures all NICU parents can receive emotional support at no cost. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer support groups, and educational resources, they help families through this incredibly challenging time, offering hope, guidance, and a sense of connection.