The staff at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital in Tampa have recently introduced a program that will help parents who can’t be at the hospital 24/7, stay close with their babies in the NICU.

  • Story time in the NICU - keeping parents and babies bonded
  • New program introduced at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital in Tampa
  • Parents record themselves reading books so babies can hear their voices when they aren't there

Story time in the NICU was introduced as part of an internship project last year and has evolved into a full time program for every extended stay infant.

"It helps us as nurses just feel very excited about what we do and know that we're doing the best practice for our babies," Advanced Clinical Specialist Barbara Cirrito said.

Among all the high tech tools that keep babies safe, nurses said something as simple as a story book has been able to improve babies’ health. 

Mom and Dad, or other loved ones, record their voices reading the book and it’s then played back to the little ones while nurses prepare for feedings or other types of care.

"They bond instantly and by hearing their voices even though they're not there it's that sound, that voice recognition that's so soothing to them," NICU Registered Nurse Barbi McDermott said.

Nurses said the books have helped the babies stay calm and gain weight, while giving the parents some peace of mind.

"It helps keep them at the bedside in those moments when the babies need them. It's very rewarding for the parents knowing that when they have to go they're still there," McDermott said.

The books are donated by the LV Thompson Family Foundation and families are able to take them home when they leave the hospital.