To have that connection even while she’s here in the hospital is just amazing

Celia Dillon was born weighing just 1 lb, 3 ounces. In order to help her grow and thrive, she needed to spend several weeks in Neonatal Intensive Care. During that time, her parents and brother Owen had to spend nights at home without her, and she without them. To help the family bond even though they couldn’t be together, Bronson Children’s Hospital’s Music Therapist helped produce a Heartbeat Bear – a stuffed animal with a recording of Celia’s heartbeat securely inside of it. And for Celia, a recording of her mom reading at book, and of her parents’ heartbeats, was routinely placed in her isolette. “It’s such a unique experience having a baby in the NICU,” says Celia’s mom Ashley.  “Knowing that there is a member of your family who isn’t at home with you yet, and to have those little reminders that she is a part of our family and we are part of hers and to have that connection even while she’s here in the hospital is just amazing.”

If you would like to support programs and services at Bronson Children’s Hospital, visit bronsonfoundation.com/givingtuesday.