A NICU doula is a certified doula with specialized training to support families with babies who have spent time in the NICU, may have medical conditions that require a feeding tube or oxygen, or are parents of preemies or children with other congenital health issues. Unlike a general postpartum doula, a NICU doula understands the medical environment, the emotional weight of a NICU stay, and crucially the complex transition home after discharge.

At Robyn at the Phoenix Poppins, NICU doula support includes:

• Finishing setting up the nursery while you are at the hospital, meal prep, and NICU turn-down service.

• Preparing for NICU discharge and what to expect at home

• Hands-on care for NICU graduates with ongoing medical needs

• Feeding support for babies with complex latch or oral aversion issues

• Overnight or daytime care for babies on oxygen or feeding tubes

•  Emotional support for parents processing a traumatic or unexpected NICU journey

Robyn is one of fewer than 100 Certified NICU Doulas in the country, with direct volunteer experience at Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Cardiovascular ICU, in addition to the one-on-one support she has provided for families.

Both. NICU doula support can begin during your baby’s hospital stay — helping you understand your baby’s medical situation, navigate conversations with the care team, process the emotional weight of the NICU, and prepare for the transition home. My goal is to help you bridge the gap between the hospital and home so you feel confident as you bring your baby home.

Once your baby is home, the work continues. Virtual support can also begin well before discharge day for families who want to connect early. I can also provide in-home support overnight or during the day while you sleep or work. I know how hard it can be to find reliable, gentle, responsive care for babies that might need extra support or have specialized medical needs. I generally spend about three months with each family, but I can stay longer or shorter depending on your needs.

The NICU-to-home transition is one of the most emotionally and logistically complex moments a family can face. After weeks or months of round-the-clock medical support, going home can feel terrifying rather than celebratory.

Phoenix Poppins specializes in exactly this transition — helping families understand their baby’s specific care needs, feel confident with any equipment or medical routines, and decompress from the emotional experience of a NICU stay. Support can begin before discharge and continue through the first weeks or months at home. Don’t wait until discharge day to reach out.

Yes. Failure to Thrive (FTT) is a diagnosis for infants who aren't gaining weight at the expected rate, and it often involves complex feeding challenges, frequent weight checks, and care routines that can feel stressful and all-consuming for families.

Phoenix Poppins has experience supporting families navigating FTT, including assistance with high-calorie feeding strategies, tube feeding support, tracking intake and output, and helping parents feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. This is an area where the combination of NICU doula training and hands-on experience with medically complex infants makes a meaningful difference.

As examples, here are a few of the types of babies I have worked with who had FTT as a result of:

- Reflux

- IUGR

- Oral Aversions

- Premature birth

- Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)

- Celiac

- Cleft Palate

I also have access to a network of other NICU doulas I can get support from if your baby runs into issues I haven't seen before. I ,also have experience with paced feeding and using specialized feeding tools like the Dr. Brown's blue disks, which are commonly used for issues with cleft palates and some preemies.

Yes — and this is one of the things that sets Robyn at The Phoenix Poppins apart. With specialized NICU doula certification, direct experience in the Phoenix Children’s Hospital CVICU as a volunteer, and over 20 years of experience with children and families, medically complex newborn care is a specific area of expertise here.

This includes babies with cardiac diagnoses, preemies, multiples, babies with feeding challenges, oral aversion, reflux, Failure to Thrive, or other conditions requiring attentive, educated care. Every family’s situation is different — the free 45-minute consultation is the right place to talk through your baby’s specific needs.

Yes, I have supported families on both NG and G-Tubes. I have worked with families who were weaning their little one off feeding tubes to being completely bottle-fed. I have also worked with families that were transitioning from NG tubes to G-Tubes. Providing care overnight post-surgery and helped them to find solutions to common issues that can come up with feeding tube care.

I am not able to provide site care, including dressing changes.

Yes! One of my very first clients as a NICU doula was supporting a baby recovering from heart surgery. That little one was on oxygen and sternal precautions. So I am familiar with both! I volunteered as a baby cuddler at Phoenix Children's Hospital in the CVICU for about two years. So I have supported many heart babies that were on oxygen there as well.

Yes! My son has celiac disease, so I know the impacts of cross-contamination and the importance of detailed label reading. I have also worked in households of many families that had anaphylactic allergies. Then, of course, I have worked with many babies that have had CMPA (milk protein allergy). Before we start, we will make a family plan to keep the person with the allergy safe- this is not limited to the baby, but anyone in the house.

Yes, I have worked with both. I have even worked with twin preemies on feeding tubes. Twins and preemies both can have specific care needs. I am happy to discuss your specific needs and how I can best support your family.

Yes. Phoenix Poppins is a completely smoke-free professional service. Robyn does not smoke and comes from a smoke-free home environment. This is especially important for families with preemies, NICU graduates, or infants with respiratory sensitivities, and you should always confirm this with any in-home care provider.

For medically sensitive babies and families, I can wear a mask. That is not a problem. My job is to lower your stress. If I need to wear a mask to keep your baby safe, I am happy to do so.

I get an annual flu shot, and I have all the same vaccines they require at the hospital for volunteering. So I have all of the standard childhood vaccines or have completed a titer test.  I can provide proof of vaccination for FLU, COVID, and TDAP upon request.