Between work, family, and other responsibilities, time can often seem a commodity in very short supply.

Cranston resident Rachel McNally knows too well just how precious time can be. All three of her children – nine-year old Ben, and four-year-old twins Hannah and Matt – are alumni of the Women’s & Infants Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“Our family are frequent fliers in the NICU. I am grateful for all the help, support, training, understanding, compassion and education the staff provided,” McNally said.

Due to her appreciation of the NICU, and to help other families going through the same situations and issues, McNally joined the Family Advisory Council (NFAC) in spring 2014.

“Actually, it was a friend of mine from the March of Dimes who told me about NFAC. I became the co-chair in January of this year,” she said. She will serve a two-year term.

The NFAC was originally established in 2006 and has played a large role in the NICU. The board itself is comprised of doctors, nurses, NICU staff, and parents.

“The mission of the Family Advisory Council is to form a partnership between NICU families and NICU staff in order to advocate for a NICU environment that is developmentally supportive and family-centered. The key role of the council is to provide the perspective and voice of NICU families in the creation of policies and procedures that promote an optimal healing environment for babies, and support families and staff,” according to the Women & Infants website.

In order to become a member of the NFAC, there are some requirements. Members must have past or present NICU experience. This includes NICU staff – physicians, nurses, social workers – and primary caregivers of NICU patients, such as parents, partners, and grandparents.

“Also, in order to apply for membership, your baby must have been discharged over one year ago, or in the unfortunate case of a lost baby, you have to wait two years to apply,” McNally said.

Currently, approximately 30 members volunteer. There is a Facebook group for current and former NICU parents to provide support during and after their stay.

“We have a peer mentor initiative where current NFAC members receive specialized training to work with other parents who can relate to similar situations,” McNally said.

The NICU was renovated in 2006 to allow families to room-in with their babies. It is modern and updated with new technology and equipment.

“Parents can decorate their rooms, put their personal touches on them, really make them feel homey,” McNally said.

McNally’s oldest son, Ben, is well aware of how much the NICU has helped not just him, but his siblings.

“He is a top walker for the March of Dimes, and for his eighth birthday instead of gifts he asked people to make donations to the NICU in honor of his siblings,” she said.

The NICU is not only for pre-term babies. It is also for babies who are born sick or have health issues.

The NICU has a capacity of 80, and a normal census is 55 to 70 babies. Per shift, they work with a low of about 25 nurses up to about 34 or 35, depending on the census and acuity.

“We can provide support for parents. It’s only people who have been through what you are going through now that truly understand,” McNally said. “Working with the March of Dimes, the NICU staff, and Project Sweet Peas, we are able to make the stay more manageable.”

Mary Ellen Watkins, NFAC staff co-chair and an NICU nurse for 27 years, discussed the importance of the social programs.

“All of the activities sponsored by the NFAC, March of Dimes, and Project Sweet Peas help them be able to take a little break from their rooms, but allow them to still be close by just in case, and they can socialize with families going through the same thing. It is easier for them to talk since they understand where they are coming from,” Watkins said.

Not only does Watkins work in the NICU, she has a very close and personal take on it.

“I have had four out of eight grandchildren in the NICU … They are now 18, 17, 10, and nine years old, and all are doing fine,” she said. “So I have an understanding of what the parents are going through from a slightly different perspective than many nurses do.”

On the first Friday of every month, there is a “Books for Babies” giveaway. Each baby is given a new book, with a bookplate inside from the NFAC Project Sweet Peas and the March of Dimes. This is to remind parents of the importance of reading to their babies.

“We have many families that are far from home or of limited means, and the Feeding Families lunch program has made a huge difference,” Watkins said regarding another service that is provided.

Some of the other activities include families decorating onesies for their babies. Each baby in the NICU at Halloween gets a special costume. The NICU is always decorated to reflect the current holiday or season.

There is a well-stocked snack cabinet that is kept full by donations. Granola bars, cereal, nuts, and soups are all popular items.

“Quick and easy to eat, that is what most families want,” McNally said. “We’re always looking for more because they go so fast. Also, If any groups want to do a snack or other kind of drive for the NICU, that would be greatly appreciated.

McNally and her team created a list of items need based on suggestions from NICU staff and families. All items will benefit current and future Women & Infants NICU families.

On Thursday, July 14, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., all three Sundaes locations – in Cranston, Johnston, and Seekonk – will be donating 20 percent of sales to the NICU.

To see what items are on the Amazon wish list for the NICU, search for “Women&Infants NFAC.”

To donate, volunteer, or learn more about the NFAC, contact womenandinfantsnfac@gmail.com.