Brittany Aquart is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist, and mom of two, one of whom had a NICU stay. Quick Takeaways from the Episode:Going through the NICU with her own child is an experience that changed her perspective as a Physical Therapist and her practice.She understands that it is really easy to feel insignificant in the NICU and like you don’t have a role with your baby while they are there.Now, as a provider, her practice aims to remind parents that they are the experts in regards to their child. 🤍 When she brought her baby home from the NICU it felt like a whirlwind. She had the discharge packet, and had set up the follow ups, but she realized she was riding the adrenaline from one day to the next. Her advice? Recognize that you have been through something really life-altering and it’s ok to just "do nothing" for a while.The part of our brain that makes decisions, (executive function), and that focuses on things like planning, and organizing, basically goes offline when you’re working from a fight-or-flight response. It’s no surprise that things can go by the wayside (like remembering to make follow up appts) when you’re dealing with something as life changing as a NICU experience. Give yourself a couple weeks. The early intervention therapy will be there. Take the first few weeks to build that connection you desire with your baby.Sign up for the NICU Alumni Grad Guide Series to receive timely reminders so you can focus on what matters - spending time with your baby!What is a Neurodiversity Affirming Approach?  A connection-based approach to therapy where the foundation is nervous system regulation (commonly impacted in babies that have had a NICU experience).We talk about our three bonus senses which Brittany also wrote about for the NICU Alumni Resource Library:Vestibular senseProprioceptionInteroceptionBrittany’s NICU Alumni Grad Guide - advice for after the NICU -Build the right team for your babyYou can get 2nd opinions and advocate for the best fit for your child and for your familyHow to play with your baby infographic by Lemon CityToy Guide and Sensory Guide by Lemon CityYou can reach out to Brittany through via instagram @lemoncitycollective or through their website www.lemoncitycollective.com Let's stay in touch!You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, www.nicualumni.org. You can also support our mission and help create brighter futures for babies that have graduated from the NICU (who we affectionately refer to as NICU Alumni) and their families by donating here.The purpose of this podcast is for entertainment only and should not be viewed as medical advice.

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