The Skylar Project

A local baby born at just 21 weeks of gestation and given a 1% chance of survival celebrated his first birthday last week.

The heart of our mission is to offer resources and develop solutions to help NICU families navigate their challenges with greater ease.

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ See what this family had to say about our financial assistance program:

“I am very appreciative of The Skylar Project for their efforts in assisting me with financial assistance at a crucial point in my life. My baby had been in the NICU for quite some time & this organization helped me within days of applying. Thank you for everything!”

Angelversary 11.

Has it been 11 years since I cradled my precious girl in my arms? Time has slipped away so swiftly, reinforcing the idea that time is merely an illusion.

Reflecting on the memory of your brief, yet impactful, life fills my heart with immense pride and understanding. Your presence was a divine gift that ignited a flame of unconditional love within me.

I am endlessly grateful for the path you have illuminated, guiding me to carry out this sacred work in your honor.

As I feel the gentle touch of your spirit, the absence of your physical presence weighs heavily on my heart. I envision a tale of triumph in the NICU, where you conquered every obstacle and now thrive alongside us. The stark reality of your physical absence can be difficult to accept, and despite my understanding, the pain lingers.

While a part of me will always feel incomplete, and the sorrow remains profound, I will never cease advocating, seeking resources, and establishing programs to aid those whose journey mirrors ours. We will forever be a team.

With all that I am and all that I aspire to be,

Mommy

Thank you so much to 4imprint for the generous donation of $500 in promotional products for the 3rd year in a row!

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We are truly grateful for your commitment to our cause 💜

Happy 4th of July to all the incredible former and current NICU families! Your unwavering strength and resilience are truly admirable. Thank you for being fierce advocates and showering the bravest little ones with endless love and support. 💙

Featured: Baby RJ, who defied the odds being born at just 22 weeks gestation. RJ is now thriving at home, growing stronger with each passing day. His remarkable mom, Simone Says, exudes strength, grace, and positivity. Witnessing such a miraculous journey fills our hearts with gratitude and joy 🌟

🎀Introducing our Tea for a Preemie Fundraiser 🫖💓💓

👉🏽To raise funds, we kindly ask supporters to purchase a mug for $15 or make a donation. These funds will go towards our Art in the NICU program!

Art in the NICU is a program that has been well received by NICU mamas and staff, we are so grateful to provide an opportunity for a therapeutic and creative outlet.

If you are looking for a meaningful and impactful way to support premature babies and their families, here is your opportunity 💜

Please PM for any questions and/or to put in your preorder! Shipment starts July 20th 🫶🏽 Our goal is to sell 20 mugs, they are ($15) each.



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Why are affirmations important?

👉🏽Affirmations have been shown to help change thinking, emotions, and behaviors. In addition, they help NICU mothers cope with feelings of guilt, fear, and stress, and remind them that they are strong, capable, and loved.

Do you have a favorite NICU mama affirmation?

Our exceptional team member, , is truly making a positive impact in Tuscaloosa! 🎉🎉

Last week, she delivered gas cards to moms at DCH, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to supporting families in need.

To date, we have donated a total of 26 gas cards to DCH!

We are continuously expanding our reach and enhancing our impact. If you’re interested in supporting our mission of providing resources for NICU families in Alabama, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can truly make a difference! 💜

Recipient of our micro-grant program*

We appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback on your experience with our program.
UAB -NICU

Did you know that we offer e-gas cards and utility assistance to those in need?

If you or someone you know has a baby in the NICU, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to provide support 💜

Thank you to all the heroes who have given their lives in service to our country. We honor and remember your sacrifice on this Memorial Day 🙏🏽🇺🇸🇺🇸

Exciting announcement! We are thrilled to introduce our new merchandise, designed for NICU mamas and anyone looking to show their support.

🫶🏽Our collection features handcrafted NICU mama bracelets ($15), tote bags ($10), keychains ($5), and silicone bracelets ($5). With options to suit every budget, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out on these special items and join us in supporting NICU mamas everywhere!

Plus, when you make a purchase, 100% of the proceeds go towards our mission. 🫶🏽 Thank you for your support!

Did you know that today is Kangaroo Care Awareness Day? Kangaroo care, also known as skin-to-skin, is a wonderful way to bond with your baby. It helps regulate body temperature and heart rate, and reduces stress for both you and your little one.

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Today, we had the opportunity to support the Cuddles and Coffee☕️ in the NICU event at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Mobile AL. We provided blank wooden picture frames for NICU parents to decorate, creating special memories during a challenging time.

🎉🎉A huge thank you to Warehouse Bakery in Fairhope Warehouse Bakery & Donuts for donating coffee, cups, sugar, creamer, and offering a generous discount on donuts.

Another shoutout to Glazed Donuts, Daphne for their donation of delicious treats (2 dozen donuts). We are grateful for their generosity and encourage everyone to support these local businesses that give back to their community‼️

Happy Mother’s Day to all the NICU mothers who are tirelessly traveling back and forth, advocating for their precious babies, pumping milk, sitting through rounds, and making difficult decisions they never expected to face.

Today, we want to honor you, NICU mothers. We are proud of every effort you make, even when you feel like you have nothing left to give.

Today, we visited the Thomas Hospital NICU in Fairhope, Alabama to give the NICU mothers $50 gas cards and gift bags to bring a little brightness to their day.

We want to express our gratitude to the Foundation for providing us with the funds to make this resource possible.

Lastly, thank you to those who continue to champion our mission. Your dedication honors and supports those who need it most!

Happy Mother’s Day 💐💜

💐💐This week marks National Nurses Week, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give a special shoutout to our primary nurse, Diane, from the NICU (2012). We are incredibly grateful for the love, honor, and respect you showed to our family during such a chaotic, challenging, and exhausting time. You took such great care of our Skylar, even having her sleep trained before she left 😁

Thank you, Diane, for being there for us to lean on and cry with. You made us feel like part of your family, and even Skylar enjoyed spending time with your son, who was just as kind and down-to-earth as you.

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I want to express my gratitude to all NICU nurses for their significant impact on the lives of families with the most critical babies.

💐💐Your presence is truly valued, and your dedication is deeply appreciated.

On this International Bereaved Mother's Day, we send you love and strength. Each bereavement story carries its own unique experiences and pain.

We are here to hold space for you today and every day.

If you are in need of peer support, clinical support resources, or tangible help to navigate your loss journey, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

In love and solidarity,

The Skylar Project

Today, it was a privilege to participate in the NICU reunion at . We were fortunate to have a table and dedicated volunteers who passionately shared our mission.

It was truly a remarkable experience to connect and converse with some of the most inspiring families. Witnessing the resilience and strength of NICU warriors thriving is an invaluable gift.

🦋 We provided butterfly cookies for decorating and a generous donation of books from Barnes & Noble, Spanish Fort.

Thank you IKRAFT LLC for our QR code sign
Thank you Barnes & Nobel Spanish fort for the books
Thank you Oh, Cookies LLC for our decorating kits

Sky’s crew

Meet baby Weston, 24 weeks gestation ✨✨✨

Jake and Kaylie’s NICU journey began with the unexpected early arrival of their son, Weston. The road has been filled with uncertainty and countless ups and downs. Despite the challenges, baby Weston has shown incredible strength and resilience, making significant progress in the NICU.

Through their story, Jake and Kaylie have shed light on the struggles faced by NICU babies and their families, bringing awareness to the importance of support and understanding during this difficult time.

To read about baby Weston’s story in detail please visit www.theskylarproject.org.

🖤 We are excited to announce Black Maternal Health Week 2024, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the health disparities faced by Black mothers in the United States.

🖤Black women are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and are also more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to women of other racial and ethnic groups.

💡According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. This disparity is even more pronounced in states with higher rates of maternal mortality.

✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻Join us in raising awareness and advocating to improve the health and well-being of Black mothers and babies.

✨✨Financial Assistance Program Testimonial

Our program provides valuable support through direct payments to service providers and E-gas cards.

👉🏽By reducing transportation costs and assisting with utility bills and copays, we aim to help alleviate the financial strain on NICU families.

✨✨Our goal is to offer tangible and practical assistance that eases the burden on families, enabling them to navigate this challenging time with greater ease and support.

Happy April from us at the Skylar Project 🌸

💡 Did you know April is International Cesarean Awareness month. An event organized by ICAN – The International Cesarean Awareness Network.

Cesarean birth can be necessary for the fetus, the mother, or both. However, the rapid increase in cesarean birth rates without clear evidence of improved maternal or infant outcomes raises significant concern that cesarean delivery is overused (National Accreta
Foundation, 2024).

👉🏽The rate of NICU admission was 23% among the elective procedures compared with 43% in the emergency CS deliveries. (NIH, 2020)

👉🏽In 2022, cesareans occurred in nearly 1 in 3 births (CDC, 2024).

However you plan to or end up meeting your baby, the most important thing is you are able to make your decisions from evidence-based information, for your personal situation, and your decisions should be whole-heartedly supported and respected by all around you (Mindful Birth Group, 2024).

Let us educate ourselves about Cesarean births. Let’s support these mothers and make an effort to understand the particular needs of cesarean recovery.

If you have a story you would like to share or are in need of support the Skylar Project is here to help.

Let’s make April a month of education and advocacy regarding cesarean births ✨✨✨

NICU Nurses Celebrate The Solar Eclipse In The Most Precious Way. Watch Video In Comments 🥰

A word from our founder:

This organization was born out of a series of deeply traumatic experiences in the NICU. Ten months filled with uncertainty, chronic lung disease, the constant threat of infection, going home without my baby each night, surgeries, and witnessing the suffering of the most innocent.

When Skylar was finally discharged after 10 long months, I found myself grappling with complex PTSD.

Complex PTSD can stem from enduring chronic trauma, particularly during a prolonged NICU stay, witnessing invasive procedures, receiving devastating diagnoses, and watching your baby suffer. These are all examples of experiences that can lead to C-PTSD.

My objective was to establish an organization that could offer solace amidst the hardships. Through organizing festive events to uplift spirits, introducing fun art in the NICU, providing financial resources to alleviate the burdens associated with a NICU stay, we aimed to offer tangible proof that we see these families, honor their struggles, and are dedicated to supporting them.

If you know someone or are currently in the NICU. Reach out to us, we would be honored to help.

Latoya Blueford
Founder & Executive director

Did you know The Skylar Project has partnered with Multiples of America to provide education and support for families of multiple birth children in the NICU?

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💡Have you mastered your times tables? Multiples enter classrooms in twos, threes, and more. Some learn alongside each other in the same classroom; others chart their learning in separate rooms. Some multiples even become teachers, staying side by side as they lead classes in middle schools and high schools…and Multiples of America joins in the journey because parents of multiples celebrate the power of every set of multiple wonders. www.multiplesofamerica.org

If you are a family with multiples in the NICU or know of one, please refer them to us. We would be grateful for the opportunity to offer assistance.

www.theskylarproject.org

While celebrating Easter in the NICU may not be what you had originally planned, the following tips can help make the day a little brighter for you and your little one.

🐣 Decorate your baby’s incubator or crib with Easter-themed decorations.

🐣 Consider bringing in special Easter-themed clothing for your baby to wear during the holiday. (Always seek permission from your baby’s health care team first)

🐣Take photos of your baby to create keepsakes and memories.

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Remember Mama, the most important thing is that your baby is receiving the care and support they need, and that is something worth celebrating 🙏🏽

so sweet 🥰

On Friday, we delivered a special donation of crafting paper, stickers, and festive cut-outs to the NICU, providing nurses and families with the tools to continue creating lasting keepsakes filled with love and joy.

*👉🏽I still have Skylar’s name tag created in the NICU in 2012. It matters 💜💜

Thank you to our supporters. You help fund these important causes. You are invaluable 💐

How to hold space for a NICU MAMA 💐

👉🏽Offer emotional support: Being a NICU mama can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. Offer a listening ear, words of encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on.

👉🏽Provide practical help: Offer to run errands, cook meals, or help with household chores to lighten the load for the NICU mama.

🫶🏽Be understanding: Understand that the NICU mama may be going through a range of emotions, including guilt, fear, and sadness. Be patient and empathetic.

🙌🏽Celebrate milestones: Celebrate each small victory, no matter how insignificant it may seem. These milestones can be a source of hope and encouragement for the NICU mama.

❤️Offer to accompany them to the NICU: If the NICU mama feels comfortable, offer to accompany them to the NICU for support during visits with their baby.

👉🏽Educate yourself: Take the time to educate yourself about the NICU experience and the challenges that NICU mamas face. This will help you better understand their situation and provide more meaningful support.

🙏🏽🙏🏽Respect their privacy: Be mindful of the NICU mama’s privacy and boundaries. Respect their need for space and time to process their emotions.

💡 The acronym NICU stands for “neonatal intensive care unit,” where babies receive continuous care from a team of specialists.

👉🏽Typically, babies are transferred to the NICU within 24 hours of birth. The duration of their stay varies based on their health status, with some babies staying for only a few hours or days, while others may remain in the NICU for weeks or even months.

Did you know that 10% of babies a born premature?

Pictured: Skylar 👼🏽
Thank you angelic girl for inspiring this mission and continuing to give us strength to do this work 💜

We are thrilled to share that we have received a grant from Prolacta Bioscience ✨✨

This support will allow us to continue advocating for and providing resources to NICU families in Alabama.

The grant will be used to offer financial assistance to families with the most critical babies: micro grants (direct to service providers) and Chevron e-gas cards.

Learn more at https://www.prolacta.com 💜