Offering NICU Families FREE support
Having a baby in the NICU is one of the hardest things a parent can go through. Feeling worried, stressed, or tearful is a completely normal response, and not a sign you are doing anything wrong. All NICU parents - mothers and fathers alike - experience complicated feelings, so whatever you’re going through, please know you’re not alone in that experience.
The Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF) provides free personalized support for families of premature babies through peer support, group programs, and one-on-one services, ensuring every family can access the type of support that best meets their unique needs during their NICU journey and beyond.
Parent Care Groups
Preemie Parent Collective
The Preemie Parent Collective is a one-of-a-kind community for parents of preemies, combining Grief & Trauma Coaching and peer support. Over the 6-Week program you will build a community of people who "get it" and receive support to help you find practical and realistic ways to process your experience and manage your mindset in a way that honours the hard stuff while finding a path forward.
Facilitator
Kieran Powers
Next Session Start
Fall 2026
Regions Available
Canada-wide
Schedule
Beyond the NICU
Together, we’ll unpack the lingering stress, create gentle routines that support your daily life, and help you move from just surviving to feeling grounded and confident. This collective offers a compassionate space to process the hard moments, find clarity in the chaos, and connect with others who truly understand.
Facilitator
Michelle Ross
Next Session Start
Fall 2026
Regions Available
Canada-wide
Schedule
Support Group Following NICU
Normalize NICU experiences. Understand what happened in the NICU. Learn to trust yourself and your parenting abilities. Recognize the signs & symptoms of a Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder
Develop tools to manage fear, anxiety, and depression. Understand the signs and symptoms of trauma and grief and develop coping strategies. Receive peer support from other families who have had similar lived experience
Facilitator
Kelley Hassanpour
Next Session Start
September 22nd 2026
Regions Available
Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Quebec
Schedule
Tuesdays 10-11:30am ET for 1.5 hours
THRIVE - Building Your Nervous System Capacity During and After the NICU
Through gentle somatic practices, practical nervous system tools, and shared community, you'll gain greater resilience, emotional capacity, and confidence as you navigate the NICU and life beyond it. Our hope is that you leave feeling less alone, more grounded, and equipped with tools that support both your well-being and the well-being of your entire family.
Facilitator
Petya H. James
Next Session Start
October 6, 2026
Regions Available
Canada-wide
Schedule
Tuesdays at 2 pm ET
6 Weeks of Healing
Receive tools and strategies from a trauma therapist. Connect with others who have also been in a NICU. Explore how to see the joys along with the struggles. Learn about trauma and how not to pass it on. Expand your knowledge about self-care and coping tools.
Facilitator
Leanne Dorish
Next Session Start
September 16th, 2026
Regions Available
British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland & Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Schedule
Wednesdays 12:00pm PT for 1.5 hours
Parents Supporting NICU Graduates with Medical Procedures
This group will bring together parents of NICU graduates who face ongoing or future medical procedures, surgery or hospitalization. Parents will learn about and discuss strategies to help their children cope with past and future frightening medical procedures using play and developmentally appropriate language.
Facilitator
Ashleigh Judge
Next Session Start
September 5, 2026
Regions Available
Canada-wide
Schedule
Saturdays at 12:00pm-1:00pm ET
