What Inclusive Care Looks Like in Practice

The NICU is a place most families never expected to enter.

Parents are suddenly navigating monitors, alarms, rounds, feeding plans, and more information than they ever imagined they would need. During an already overwhelming time, feeling welcomed and respected can make a meaningful difference.

This Pride Month, we asked families and healthcare professionals from the NICU community to share examples of what inclusive care has looked like in their units. While Pride Month often brings important conversations about policies, education, and representation, the responses we received served as a reminder that inclusion is often felt in much smaller moments.

Families don't form their impressions of a NICU from policy manuals or training modules. They form them through the conversations, support, and care they receive from nurses, physicians, therapists, lactation consultants, and countless others who become part of their story.

The stories we received were filled with examples of small moments that left a lasting impression. Some showed how healthcare teams helped families feel welcomed from the start. Others illustrated the challenges that can arise when systems and practices aren't designed with every family in mind.

Being Included as Parents

One NICU mom shared that when her baby was admitted, she and her wife weren't sure what questions they would face or whether they would need to explain their family structure.

"The nurse introduced herself, asked what we wanted to be called, and made sure both of us were included in conversations about our baby. It may have seemed like a small thing to her, but to us, it meant everything. We were able to focus on being parents instead of explaining who we were."

Josh and Michael (@thetwinstadads), whose twins spent 23 days in the NICU after being born six weeks early, described a similar experience.

"The nurses and staff treated us like any other parents, maybe even better haha. They respected our role, included both of us in conversations and care, and made us feel genuinely welcomed."

They described some of the moments that stood out most:

"Staff spoke to both of us, involved both of us in decisions, and never made assumptions about our family structure. Small things mattered. Using inclusive language, making eye contact with both of us, asking questions without awkwardness or hesitation, and simply treating our family as normal."

When asked what they wished others understood, they shared:

"I wish people understood that LGBTQ+ parents often walk into these environments carrying an extra layer of anxiety about acceptance. When healthcare workers create an inclusive and affirming space, it removes that fear and allows parents to focus entirely on their babies."

Small Changes Matter

Several healthcare professionals pointed to small changes that have helped create more inclusive environments.

One nurse shared:

"Our kardex used to say 'mother's name' and 'father's name' and now it has been rewritten to just say 'parent.'"

Another healthcare professional highlighted a similar shift:

"I feel like the switch from 'mother and father' to words like 'caregiver,' 'family member,' or 'parent' is more inclusive."

When Families Need Advocates

Another story centered on a family with two mothers. After the carrying parent developed an aggressive form of brain cancer, the non-delivering mother induced lactation so she could provide breast milk for their baby. Despite her efforts, obtaining hospital approval for the baby to receive that milk became a significant challenge.

"One of the NICU attendings finally got nutrition and the medical director to relent, but the moms were still required to sign a waiver saying that since the milk wasn't from the delivering mom that it wasn't the best for the baby and any issues with it would fall back on the family."

They reflected:

"This whole situation showcased that some serious work needed to be done to honor the fact that there's all different types of families that might find themselves in the NICU."

Belonging Extends Beyond Families

The same principles that help families feel welcomed can also shape how healthcare teams support one another.

One nurse shared a story about a new coworker who couldn't use their chosen name on their hospital ID badge. Recognizing the impact that could have, another nurse created an additional badge card displaying the name they preferred to be called.

"It was a small gesture, but it helped them feel welcomed, respected, and like they belonged."

Looking Back

Reading through these submissions, what stood out wasn't how different the stories were. It was how often they pointed to the same things.

People remembered how they were treated. They remembered being included in conversations. They remembered when someone took the time to ask a question instead of making an assumption. They remembered the moments when someone noticed a barrier and found a way around it.

Some of these moments may have seemed small at the time, but they were still the stories people chose to share.

Thank you to the families and healthcare professionals who contributed their stories. We appreciate your willingness to share your experiences and help us continue the conversation about what inclusive care looks like in the NICU.