The Moment You Were Born A Story for You and Your Premature Baby

Before you were born, I imagined touching you, holding you, kissing you.
 
You were born early, and right then—at that very moment—I wanted
to touch you,
to hold you,
to kiss you.
But I learned that both of us needed to wait.
So as we wait, here’s what I’ll try.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) isn’t what you expected and neither are the doctors, nurses, and machines that are now part of your baby’s life.
 
But look around. Everything you see—from the doctors and nurses to the machines that beep and hum—is there to help your child. These moments are yours to share and experience. Reading and talking to your baby about where you are and what you see will help your family be together and connect, and may even make the NICU feel a little less overwhelming. 
 
The Moment You Were Born is a gentle and soothing story for you and your baby as you share moments in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Includes a "Note to Parents and Caregivers" with more ideas about sharing the NICU experience and staying close to your baby.

Sandra M. Lane, MA, SLP, is a pediatric speech language pathologist who has had the pleasure of working in various settings with children born prematurely, including hospitals, developmental clinics, private practice, and schools. This is Sandy's first book.

Brenda S. Miles, PhD, is a pediatric neuropsychologist who has worked in hospital, rehabilitation, and school settings. She is an author and co-author of several books for children, including The Moment You Were Born: A Story for You and Your Premature Baby, Stickley Sticks to It!: A Frog’s Guide to Getting Things Done, Chicken or Egg: Who Comes First? and Princess Penelopea Hates Peas: A Tale of Picky Eating and Avoiding Catastropeas. Brenda encourages children of all ages to dream big, find joy, and embrace adventure.

Shelly Hehenberger studied art and design at Indiana University and received her MFA in painting from the University of Cincinnati in 1994. Since that time, she has worked as an art teacher, professional artist, and illustrator of children's books. The illustrations in this book were created digitally using hand-painted textures and overlays. She lives near Chapel Hill, NC, with her husband and daughter.