In honor of Prematurity Awareness Month (November), we spoke with Jessica Wade, Founding Director, Care Consultant, and Sound Therapist of Mighty Little Giants (MLG), to talk about what it truly takes to support birthing families — before, during, and after birth. Mighty Little Giants (MLG) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that advocates through providing support, education, and hope for Black mothers/birthing persons and fathers experiencing preterm deliveries resulting in long-term stays in hospital NICUs. MLG’s mission is to stand in the gap with and for Black families with babies in the NICU by embracing MLG’s core values: Integrity, Compassion, and Encouragement.

Can you share the origin story of Mighty Little Giants and how your personal journey shaped it?

Mighty Little Giants (MLG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019 by myself [Jessica Wade] from my hospital bedrest stay of 58 days and my son's 143 day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Out of my lived experience of not being heard and losing everything came our mission: to stand in the gap for families with babies in the NICU by providing compassionate support, advocacy, and a path toward healing. MLG exists to uplift mothers, fathers, and caregivers facing preterm birth and extended NICU stays, with a special focus on engaging families as whole units in the healing process.

What are some of the biggest emotional challenges families face in the NICU?

Some of the greatest emotional challenges for NICU families stem from having to navigate complex systems of care, not only for their hospitalized baby but also for themselves. Parents are often trying to heal mentally and emotionally from a potentially traumatic birthing experience with unexpected outcomes, all while managing the financial demands of their household. Many also face separation anxiety if they have other children at home and must balance postpartum recovery with the immense responsibility of making lifesaving decisions for their child fighting for survival in the NICU or NICCU. The weight of these overlapping challenges takes a profound toll on their emotional well-being.

How does your team support parents during long-term NICU stays?

At Mighty Little Giants we support our families in multiple ways. Our current programs include:

• In Hospital Support Groups [Crafts & Conversations]
• NICU Support Group Chat [Peer-to-Peer Support]
• MLG Literacy Corner [Advancing Early Childhood Education]
• NICU Essential Selfcare Kits that can be ordered online
• Educational Webinars [ Through MLG Academy] 

What role can extended family, friends, or community play in supporting parents of premature babies?

Some of the most important things that family can do to support are:

• Be Present and hold space for the families without assumption, judgement or a million questions!
• Ask how THEY are doing. I’ve noticed that families always ask how the child is doing, not realizing that the parents are carrying a lot of weight.
  
  
• Instead of saying "let me/us know what you need”, let them know what you will do for them. “We will be hosting a meal train, I can help with picking up the other kids from school, I can have a housekeeper come by on Friday, etc. Most of the time NICU families need more than they can explain, taking the weight off their shoulders of thinking about their needs would be helpful.
  
  

Prematurity can feel isolating. What does it look like when “the village shows up” well?

When your village shows up well you can truly get REST, at times uninterrupted REST! My mother and mother-in-law would come and sit with our son when he was in the NICU so that I could take a nap in our room at the Ronald McDonald house and that meant more to me than I could even explain!

I had anxiety leaving the NICU/NICCU, so they knew I wasn’t getting rest. They didn’t ask, they just showed up and took turns, I really appreciated them for that.

What message would you share with a parent who just entered the NICU for the first time? ?

My message is this: you are not alone. Identify your village, the people who will help hold you up through this journey. Meet with your hospital social worker and be honest about your needs; there are supports available, and you deserve to use them. If you can, connect with a postpartum doula who can walk beside you through your own healing while your baby receives care.

Take it one day at a time! Sometimes, one hour at a time. Attend morning and afternoon rounds with your baby’s care team so you can stay informed and involved in every decision. Ask questions, take notes, and give yourself permission to rest. Most importantly, you are your baby’s parent. You know your child in ways no one else can. Trust your instincts, honor your inner voice, and never forget that your presence and love are powerful parts of your baby’s healing journey.

How can families or partners connect with Mighty Little Giants or access support now??

They can request support at www.MightyLittleGiants.org or email us at [email protected]
ALSO follow us on Instagram: @MightyLittleGiants