Pretzel Packs for NICU Families

Hi, my name is Rachael Montes. In 2021, I gave birth to my daughter, Mia, at 25 weeks. She was 3.5 months early and weighed 1lb 14oz. She was so little with her limbs all twisted up that I called her my little “pretzel” baby. I had no prior experience with the NICU and did not know I was about to spend the next 157 days there.

The NICU is an overwhelming place. You have to get by taking it minute by minute. There are so many unknowns about what will happen to your child and it is a constant feeling of holding your breath. My head was on loop from planning my daughter’s first birthday to planning her funeral. Not knowing what your outcome will be is a torture I wish on no parent. Your whole life is stuck in limbo as the world outside keeps going. It can feel extremely isolating.

Last year, for my daughter’s 1st birthday, we took treats to staff at both of the NICUs she was in. While we will be doing the same this year, I wanted to take it a step further. I want to do something for the NICU parents that need any and all the support they can get.

In honor of my daughter, I am putting together what I call “Pretzel Packs”. They are bags filled with things that helped me throughout my NICU journey.

Each Pretzel Pack contains items that help parents bond with their baby that may be confined to an isolette, as well as personal hygiene items, snacks, and more.

My goal is quality over quantity. I really want these parents to see the thought that went into each item in the bag. I want them to feel like they are opening a bag from an old friend that cares. I want them to feel supported and that they aren’t alone.

Contents:

- Canvas tote with Pretzel logo on it

- Preemie hat (that says “Fighter”)

- NICU friendly velcro outfit

- Preemie milestone cards

- “I love you Stinky Face” book

- “Juniper: The Girl that was Born Too Soon” book

- Snacks (including chocolate covered pretzels)

- Protein Bars

- Gum

- Water bottles

- Gift card for coffee

- Voucher for the cafeteria

- Small zip-up container for toiletries

My goal is to make 12 Pretzel Packs (6 for Virtua Voorhees in NJ and 6 for CHOP in Philadelphia) and deliver them on February 16th for my daughter’s 2nd birthday.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my cause! It is very near and dear to my heart. I feel so blessed to be in the position I am in now and I want to give back to those parents that are struggling to find some normalcy with their tiny warriors!

If I get good feedback from the hospital staff that the bags were helpful, my long term goal is to do this each year on my daughter’s birthday (and maybe more).

If you would like to follow along in the making/delivery of the bags, I have started an instagram @_pretzelpacks

Thank you so much for all your love and support!

❤️