A new program helps parents care for children born in the NICU

Babies born prematurely usually have to spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit. A new program is helping parents transition to home life after they leave the NICU. It’s a service provided by Advanced Home Health.

The goal is to get the babies caught up with their weight and developmental age by the time they turn one.

Four year old Addison and three year old Kaitlin are a handful for mother Danielle Pitt. Now add in newborn twins Ashton and Madeline.

“It’s really overwhelming,” said Pitt.

Thursday the twins are getting their bi-weekly visit from a neonatal nurse from Advanced Home Health.

“She {the nurse} just knows my babies really well. she’s been here since they’ve come home,” said Pitt

The twins arrived much earlier than expected, at 29 weeks. Ashton spent 77 days in the NICU and Madeline spent 92.

“It’s scary, because they have medical issues and you’re so used to having them hooked up to life saving machines all the time and then they come home and it’s like no more machines, you’re on your own, you gotta make sure everything is okay,” said Pitt.

After spending months in the NICU, getting more help wasn’t something pitt was excited about.

“When they first told us they were going do that I thought oh geez really, it’s like you’re never going to get away from the NICU, but it’s been a blessing,” said Pitt.

The nurse checks the babies reflexes, also their weight gain, and helps pitt adjust Madeline’s gastrointestinal tube for feedings.

For a mom of four kids under the age of four, she’ll take all the help she can get.

Advanced Home Health does take the major insurance providers and medicaid for their services.

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center is holding a walk in Idaho Falls Friday at 9:00 a.m.

After the walk there will be activities for families.