In The News

• There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Neonates are a very vulnerable population in the U.S. that are adversely affected by lead exposure in utero and after birth.

• Lead binds to the birthing parent's red blood cell and is then transferred from the birthing parent's blood to the developing fetus. This occurs as early as 12 weeks gestation and continues throughout pregnancy.
• This lead readily crosses the fetus' immature blood brain barrier, affecting the development of the brain. Unlike other body systems, the neurological system continues to grow and develop during the entire pregnancy and after birth.
• Effects of lead exposure causes miscarriages, stillbirths, premature births, babies born small for age and abnormal neuro development which is exhibited by seizures, inconsolable crying and hyporeflexia.
• This leads to lifelong learning and behavioral problems, putting an undue burden on our healthcare and educational systems and our society!
• Lead exposure continues after birth no matter the feeding method, as lead is transferred to the baby via breast milk and formula fed infants through the water used to make the formula. Formula fed babies are at higher risk than breastfed babies. Unfortunately, more babies are formula fed than breastfed in the U.S.

Our concern is that older homes with lead pipes or lead solder or communities with aging infrastructures delivering water to homes is affecting our communities of color, disproportionately leading to disparities in health outcomes such as prematurity and infant mortality. 

We applaud the recommendation of strengthening the treatment requirements by requiring corrosion control treatment based on tap sampling and lowering the trigger level from 15 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion, but are recommending and advocating for the trigger level to be even lower at 1 parts per billion the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the leading medical society for babies and children.  This will help to eliminate a cause of the birth disparities in this nation leading to healthier babies, children, and adults.  Thank you for your time and references are available upon request.

As the professional organization for neonatal nurses who care for premature and critically ill infants, we understand the decision to have a child is a deeply personal one. The neonatal nursing community works daily to sustain and improve the lives of patients. But we are also advocates.

We believe safe and informed healthcare decisions must reside with each individual, their families, and healthcare providers. We also believe significant racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities have been shown to exist, particularly within the scope of reproductive rights and perinatal healthcare. NANN cannot support legislation or judicial action that further endangers already vulnerable populations. 

As an organization, NANN stands firm in its mission to support not only our patients but also their families and our nurses. We will continue to provide education, resources, and advocacy that reduces maternal and infant mortality and improves and expands perinatal, postnatal, and mental healthcare.

For further information on how to advocate for change on this topic or others, please visit the NANN Policy and Advocacy Committee and utilize their legislative toolkit.

Sincerely, 

 

Gail A. Bagwell, DNP APRN CNS
President, NANN

Dionne S. Wilson, CAE
NANN Executive Director

NANN Board of Directors

NANNP Council

If you feel inspired to contribute, the following reputable organizations are accepting donations to provide support:

• CARE provides immediate food, water, and hygiene kits and additional support.
• International Committee of the Red Cross aids people affected by the conflict and supports the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.
• International Medical Corps delivers primary healthcare and mental services.
• International Rescue Committee provides resources to refugees fleeing countries in crisis.
• Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders facilitates travel to healthcare facilities and access to prescribed medications.
• Project Hope provides medical support to countries in crisis.
• UNICEF supports health, nutrition, safe drinking water, sanitation, and protection for children.
• UN Refugee Agency provides emergency assistance to families in Ukraine, including cash assistance and opportunities for resettlement.

NANN values the dignity and human rights of all patients and families. We hope for peace in Ukraine.

Sincerely,

 Gail A. Bagwell, DNP APRN CNS

President, NANN

Dionne S. Wilson, CAE
NANN Executive Director

NANN Board of Directors

NANNP Council

 

As neonatal nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists, we value and celebrate human beings from all races, genders, sexual identities, and creeds. The attacks against Asian Americans affect us all, impacting our community of neonatal nurses, patients, and families, as well as our family, friends, and neighbors.

Consistent with the addition of Health and Racial Equity as a pillar of NANN's strategic plan, we will not remain silent. We express our deep compassion to the families of the victims of the mass shooting and will continue to develop and implement activities that prevent racism and promote equality through advocacy efforts, diversity and inclusion initiatives, antiracism education, and more. NANN remains fully committed to creating, maintaining, and continually improving an environment of inclusion.

We believe it takes the effort of all Americans to make change happen. Please join us.

Sincerely, 

 

Gail A. Bagwell, DNP APRN CNS
President, NANN

Dionne S. Wilson, CAE
NANN Executive Director

NANN Board of Directors

NANNP Council

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), The National Perinatal Association (NPA) and National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recognize the unique challenges facing healthcare providers in reducing the risks of COVID-19 transmission while encouraging parent presence and engagement in care. We also re-affirm our commitment to delivering family-integrated care that promotes parent-infant attachment and supports parents' roles as primary caregivers for their infants. We believe NICU parents are "essential caregivers." 

Incorporating the collective, multidisciplinary perspectives and expertise of our organizations, we've created this Consensus Statement. In it, we put forward recommendations for trauma-informed policies and practices that support family-integrated care in our Neonatal Intensive Parenting Units (NIPUs). We advocate for parents' primary role in providing essential care to their hospitalized infant. We encourage parental presence knowing its benefits for providers, families, and infants. 

We recognize that our understanding of this virus changes rapidly and we acknowledge that hospital policies must change in response to unique concerns and regional developments. As we look for timely, interdisciplinary responses and solutions, our organizations advocate for the incorporation of trauma-informed care for all interactions during the pandemic and for the recognition of parents as essential caregivers for their hospitalized newborns.

Respectfully, 

 

Gail A. Bagwell, DNP APRN CNS
NANN President

Jerry Ballas, MD, MPH
Viveka Prakash-Zawisza, MD MS MBA
Co-Presidents, NPA

 

Cyndy Krening, MS CNS RNC-OB C-EFM
President, AWHONN

Human milk and breastfeeding provide preferred nutrition for infant growth and development, but research shows that intrauterine marijuana exposure is associated with decreased birth weight and preterm birth. Emerging evidence reports neurocognitive and education deficits in children and adolescents exposed to marijuana during fetal development.

Marijuana crosses into breast milk after maternal consumption, but data on the associated risks to infants are insufficient to address the safety of marijuana consumption by women who are breastfeeding. In the organizations' new position statement, NANN provides both rationale and recommendations health care providers can use when working with mothers who use marijuana while breastfeeding.

"We know that breast milk is the optimal nutrition for all neonates and infants, but we also know that for mothers who use the drug while breastfeeding, their breast milk will contain the drug as well," says NANN President Joan Rikli, MBA MSN RN CPNP NE-BC. "In order to reduce the risk of low birth weight, prematurity, and negative long-term neurobehavioral effects to neonates and infants, NANN recommends that lactating mothers abstain from marijuana use." The organization's position statement adds that mothers who choose to continue to use marijuana should be advised to significantly reduce intake and be informed of the possible adverse effects.

NANN's new position statement lists 14 recommendations for providers for addressing maternal marijuana use and the potential negative impact on neonates and infants. The accompanying infographic aims to facilitate easy sharing of recommendations and safety information on marijuana use of expecting and lactating mothers within the neonatal nursing population. 

About NANN
As the professional voice and home of neonatal nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists, NANN supports the advancement of the neonatal nursing profession through opportunities for neonatal nurses to influence care for neonates and their families, collaborate with leaders and peers in their field, and gain clinical knowledge to improve daily practice. NANN serves nearly 7,500 members from all over the world. Learn more at www.nann.org.

NANN will work with our leaders, our community, and our Health Policy and Advocacy committee to ensure that lawmakers on every level hear and understand our collective voices on these matters. We will find ways to take the action that is needed to encourage and demand the end of systemic racism in this country and our members will have opportunities to join in our legislative efforts. This is a human issue that affects us all, impacting our community of neonatal nurses, patients, and families both inside and outside the NICU.

We will not be silent.

NANN celebrates diversity and inclusion. Through every action we take, we aim to connect and welcome all people. We seek out diverse viewpoints and celebrate the unique characteristics and experiences each member, volunteer leader, customer, and staff member shares with our organization. We will continue to bring forth difficult topics, have hard conversations, and shed light into areas that have gone unchecked for too long. We are committed to creating, maintaining, and continually improving an environment of inclusion.

While you can expect updates of our advocacy, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in the coming months, we also want to hear from you. We encourage you to share your stories with our Membership Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to let us know where and how NANN can help, what’s working and what’s not. NANN stands firmly for racial equality and alongside all Black Americans during this heartbreaking time and we recognize that there is much work to be done.

Together, we can make a change happen. Join us.

Sincerely,

Joan Rikli
NANN President

Dionne S. Wilson, CAE
NANN Executive Director

NANN Board of Directors

NANNP Council

"NANN is thrilled to share this important guideline with the neonatal community," says NANN President-Elect and Newborn Safe Sleep guideline editor, Gail Bagwell, DNP APRN CNS. "As the professional voice of neonatal nursing, we strive to provide the education and tools needed to make a difference for nurses, our patients, and their families. Sleep related deaths are the leading cause of death between 1 month and 1 year of age for infants and nurses play a vital role in the education and role modeling of proper sleep behavior for all infants. This guideline will give nurses and other healthcare providers the tools necessary to do this job."

The Newborn Safe Sleep guideline was made possible through an unrestricted grant from Pampers^®, part of the P&G family. "At Pampers^®, caring for the healthy development of all babies is at the core of who we are. That is why we are elated to support the advancement of the neonatal community through our partnership with NANN. We believe this Newborn Safe Sleep guideline put together by NANN is an important resource that will aid nurses in caring for babies' healthy development," says Pampers Scientific Communication Leader Veronica Sanchez PhD.

About NANN
At nearly 8,000 members strong, NANN is the professional voice and home of neonatal nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. NANN supports the advancement of the neonatal nursing profession through opportunities for neonatal nurses to influence care for neonates and their families, collaborate with leaders and peers in their field, and gain clinical knowledge to improve daily practice. NANN serves nearly 7,500 members from all over the world. Learn more at www.nann.org.

About Pampers^®
For more than 50 years, parents have trusted Pampers to care for their babies. Pampers is a part of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) and is the #1-selling diaper worldwide. Every day, more than 25 million babies in 100 countries around the world wear Pampers. Pampers offers a complete range of diapers, wipes and training pants designed to provide protection and comfort for every stage of baby's development. Visit www.pampers.com to learn more about Pampers products, join the Pampers Rewards program, and find ideas and information to help your baby get the most out of love, sleep and play.

About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always^®, Ambi Pur^®, Ariel^®, Bounty^®, Charmin^®, Crest^®, Dawn^®, Downy^®, Fairy^®, Febreze^®, Gain^®, Gillette^®, Head & Shoulders^®, Lenor^®, Olay^®, Oral-B^®, Pampers^®, Pantene^®, SK-II^®, Tide^®, Vicks^®, and Whisper^®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.