Breastfeeding/Lactation Support
A certified lactation consultant, Mary Lussier RN, IBCLC, is available to answer questions about pumping, breastfeeding techniques, and transitioning to breastfeeding in the NICU. Kathleen Marinelli, MD, IBCLC, is also available for breastfeeding support. The nursing staff has received training in breastfeeding support activities, and several nurses have considerable expertise. Stephanie McGuire, APRN, one of our nurse practitioners, is also a certified lactation consultant.

The NICU has a breast pump rental depot using Ahmeda/Egnell electric pumps. Pumps can be rented to nursing moms a month at a time for a very reasonable fee. We also sell the "Purely Yours" electric pump for home use.

The NICU offers a number of activities for breastfeeding mothers, including a "Milk Club" support group.

Developmental Specialist 
Sally Leed RN, MS, evaluates the neurobehavioral development of high-risk NICU babies. She will work with the parents and the primary nursing team to develop an individualized plan of care aimed at specific, developmental goals. Ms. Leed is very experienced in evaluating infant feeding behavior, and is an important member of the CCMC NICU’s breastfeeding support program.

Family Support/Social Services
Patricia Hanrahan, MSW, LCSW, assists families in adjusting to the hospitalization of their infant. She can provide individual and/or group counseling, crisis intervention, as well as coordination of resources necessary for the transition to home.

Click here to go to the Child and Family Support Services page.

Nutritional Support Services
Pat Esposito, RD, CD-N, is assigned to the NICU. She rounds with the physicians and nurses to monitor to the unique nutritional needs of NICU patients. She provides direct consultation, and makes recommendations regarding the use of formulas and nutritional products specially designed for premature infants. Pat is available for consultation to breastfeeding mothers who need assistance with their own nutritional needs during lactation.

Infant Follow-up Services
The Neonatal Follow-up Clinic is held on Tuesdays for infants who have been discharged from the NICU. Services are provided by a team of specialists who monitor infants' continuing growth and development, and can offer guidance and access to other resources as needed.

Child Life Services
The Child Life department provides toys, games, and supervised play activities in the waiting room for siblings whose parents are visiting in the NICU. The Child Life staff can help young children understand what a premature baby is like, and why he or she is in the hospital.

Click here to find out more about the Child Life program.

Volunteer Services
The NICU benefits from the thoughtfulness of many volunteers, who provide knitted hats, booties and blankets; Beanie Baby© toys; and their own unique talents. For example, the Hartford Junior League coordinated decoration of the five family visiting rooms with artwork and items such as lamps and chair cushions. There is a formal Cuddler Program, where volunteers are trained to cuddle and feed premature infants who can benefit from extra attention.

Click here to learn more about Volunteer Services.

Medical/Surgical Subspecialties
NICU patients have access to all of the specialty services available at CCMC, including surgery, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, neurology, and physical/occupational therapy.

Healing Hearts
Healing Hearts is a parent support group for families who have lost a NICU baby, or a baby at any time during a pregnancy. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Medical Board Room on the first floor of Hartford Hospital. The group is facilitated by staff from the NICU. Parent members of Healing Hearts can provide emotional support to individuals by phone.