Last month, I published a preprint arguing that many NICU stays are extended not by medical necessity — but by incentives, risk aversion, and a lack of structured support for families at home.

It made people uncomfortable. Clinicians pushed back. Operators leaned in. Parents shared their stories.

Good. We should be uncomfortable.

Because every extra day in the NICU isn’t just expensive — it shapes bonding, stress, breastfeeding, parental mental health, and how families begin life at home.

This Friday, February 27 at 2 PM ET I’m hosting a Substack Live with Dr. Jamie Warren, exploring why exactly this topic hits such a nerve, and what the future of NICU care could look like. Dr. Warren has spent her career working to safely reduce length of stay, expand remote monitoring, and rethink how we support families of premature babies.

Join HERE! open.substack.com/live-…!