Our 1st Annual NICU Baby of the Year initiative may be over but we’re still in awe of all of the inspiring stories we received.
In an effort to highlight and honor all our tiny heroes’ journeys, we encouraged community members to share their babies’ journeys, advice, motivation and support for other NICU families. We then partnered with over 16 brands to create a custom gift package, which included a house cleaning and $500 in groceries to stock up their fridge.
The winner and two runner ups were determined by the amount of engagement their posts received on their personal social media pages. One of the 2022 NICU Baby of the Year runner ups is Autumn, daughter of Tyler Renee Robinson, whose journey took place at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital.
AUTUMN’S NOMINATION
Autumn Ch’neé was born March 11, 2021 1 lbs. 1 oz. at 10:09 AM. A 23-weeker, she has beat so many obstacles in her 1 year of life so far!! And even though we are still in the NICU, she makes it all worth it!!
My advice for other families is to Love your baby! Hold your baby! Talk to your baby! Sing to your baby (no matter how bad you sound)! Play with your baby! Let your baby know that you’re there for them! Be your child’s advocate! Speak up for your baby! You know your child best! And take it one day at a time! Everything happens for a reason! Enjoy every moment with your baby!
Please DOUBLE TAP, COMMENT and SHARE our story on your stories!! We Hope and Pray to be selected for the NICU baby of the Year! Thank you!
Check out Autumn’s nomination on Instagram!
AUTUMN’S ARRIVAL HOME
After spending over 500 days in the NICU, baby Autumn finally went home! Watch Tyler Robinson’s interview with CBS 2’s Sabrina Franza.
AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTUMN’S MOM, TYLER ROBINSON
We connected with Tyler and Autumn to learn more about their NICU journey and experience participating in our NICU Baby of the Year contest. Check out our interview below.
JCF: How did you hear about the NICU Baby of the Year contest?
TYLER: My social worker gave me a flier promoting it and told me to enter.
JCF: Why did you think it was important to participate in NICU Baby of the Year?
TYLER: It was important to me because I wanted other parents to see how far my baby has come and that it is possible. I wanted people to see how I never gave up or gave in to what others thought I should do. I wanted people to have some encouragement; if they can do it, so can we.
And of course the prizes didn’t hurt. I’m a single parent and I can’t work so those prizes helped me out tremendously. I’m forever grateful.
JCF: What tips do you have for NICU parents?
TYLER: The number one thing I tell NICU parents is: Get to know your baby so you can be their best advocate. Speak up for yourself and your baby. I always say, “Don’t nobody know my baby more than I do.” This helps when you have to make big decisions.
JCF: What is the one piece of advice you would give to a family with a child in the NICU that you didn’t know going in?
TYLER: Pay Attention and ask questions if you don’t understand.
“No question is a stupid question. You would be stupid not to ask if you don’t understand!” –Me
If you don’t understand, it’s their job to help you understand!
JCF: What is one thing you want the public to know about your experience?
TYLER: The one thing I would like people to know was that my NICU experience was full of ups and downs (lots of downs) but I didn’t give up on what I felt in my heart. I lost a lot to be with my baby but I gained another family.
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