Facebook feeds are filled with birth announcements, gender reveals, and the oh-so-adorable monthly photo sesh, with Target blankets mapping out each month of a baby’s development, but all those milestones can be daunting when pregnancy doesn’t go as planned.

Nicole Ventura, a Bayport mom, knows the trials and tribulations of being a NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) parent and the special concerns that come with a precious life arriving a bit early.

To combat the feelings of loneliness (especially with the pandemic regulations limiting visitors to just a partner) and anxiety, Ventura started the NICU Moms and Dads Foundation in March 2021 to provide care packages for mothers and their families.

After a harrowing experience in April 2020 lasting through August 2020, Ventura learned firsthand the daunting task of taking care of a NICU baby.

“There are so many issues you are dealing with when you have a NICU baby. There could be chromosomal problems that result in heart defects, or other issues with major organs,” said Ventura, adding, “there could be gut infections with young babies whose intestines can’t handle simple nutrition and may need a colostomy bag.”

The stress and lack of support can leave parents sinking under the weight of it all.

So far, the foundation has been able to give out 24 care bags for new NICU parents, including some basic creature comforts like tissues, Chapstick, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, gum, and bottled water.

“You are so entrenched in your child, you forget to get the most basic of things to take care of yourself,” said Ventura. “These care packages are to alleviate some of that concern so you can focus on your baby’s needs.”

For the holiday season, Ventura would like to get Christmas decorations and small gifts like pink or blue keychain pendants to help new parents realize the same joy as their full-term counterparts are participating in.

“The smiles on parents’ faces is what gets me every time,” said Ventura. “A recipient told me it was ‘nice to have someone think of me during all of this,’ and that’s my motivation to provide these care packages.”

Donations have been coming in and Ventura has been able to give out such treasures like a 5-pound bag of Lifesavers.

“Even something as simple as lotion helps because everyone’s hands get so dry from all the Purell,” said Ventura.

Ventura has been reaching out to major brands like Pampers to add to her corporate donors list and is currently working on establishing herself as a 501(c)(3) to become a recipient of rewards programs.

“Unless you’ve been through it yourself, it’s hard to relate to having a premature baby,” said Ventura. “But this is a simple way to support those in this situation who desperately need emotional stability while their child is battling a number of concerns.”

During her time with a newly preemie baby, Ventura sought out support on Facebook groups and remembered how comforting it was to learn others’ stories mirrored hers. “It gave me the ability to see a future for my child who had so many issues being born early.”

Ventura encourages other parents to share their stories to create awareness of NICU struggles.

Currently, Ventura is working with Stony Brook Hospital and plans to branch out into Mather, LIJ, and Winthrop with her NICU Moms and Dads care packages.