The NICU Nursery Project
Giving back to families who have walked through pregnancy and birth trauma.
Bringing love and light to NICU families.
After experiencing my own pregnancy and birth trauma, I decided I wanted to give back however I could to NICU families — those in the throes of the hardest time of their lives. So I did just that: the NICU Nursery Project organizes and raises funds to design at-home nurseries for NICU families. We crowdfund donations for families in need and take care of all their nursery essentials — from beautiful decor to cribs to changing stations — including stocking up on diapers and clothes for their new baby. We also donate design help and items like books, clothes, and more to local NICUs.
Nominate a Family
Nominate a deserving NICU family to receive the nursery of their dreams.
Help Build Nurseries
Help us design and build nurseries for deserving NICU families.
in the news
Bre chats with host Ashley Howard about the NICU Nursery Project on Portland CW’s Everyday Northwest. Watch below!
Bre & Adeline’s Story
At 25 weeks, I was hospitalized with severe preeclampsia — and subsequently diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I stayed in the perinatal special care unit for 5 weeks before precious Adeline was born 10 weeks early at just 30 weeks and 3 days. She weighed just 4lbs 5.6oz and had to fight every day to learn how to breathe and eat on her own. Adeline ended up spending 7 weeks in the NICU — and my husband and I were forever changed.
When I was admitted to the hospital, it was about 2 weeks before my baby showers and I had grand plans to finish Adeline’s nursery. I was in peak nesting mode and had just gotten back from a work trip to Los Angeles. Being hospitalized changed the entire trajectory of what was supposed to be the most joyful time in our lives — everything felt scary and uncertain. And needless to say, fighting for both of our lives in the hospital meant very little mental capacity for anything else, including nesting and finishing the nursery.
I felt lucky that we had so much support from family and friends and — once I felt up for it — I could direct them from afar to finish the nursery (one thing that finally felt like it was in my control even if it was all over FaceTime). And when I finally came home, having the nursery done was such a blessing — there was again no capacity or time to think about it as we were on to the next battle advocating for and fighting alongside our preemie girl.
All of the amazing support we received while going through this 3-month battle inspired the NICU Nursery Project. I want to spread as much light and love as I can to as many NICU families as possible.
Our Design Network
Want to join our team of designers and contractors and help us give back to more NICU families? Follow the link to connect with Bre.
Bre La Liberte | Founder
Portland, OR
Bre is a girl and pup mom, wife, avid reader, baker, crafter, introvert, and interior designer. She founded the NICU Nursery Project in September 2023 after her battle with severe preeclampsia and her daughter’s 52-day NICU journey.
Grace Cousins | Grace Ryan Designs
State College, PA
Grace Ryan is a mom, daughter, baby sister, artist, writer, introvert, and designer. Grace and her team work throughout PA and strive to make the world a more beautiful place one space at a time.
Why we do what we do
The US is facing a maternal health crisis. No one begins a pregnancy thinking it will end with them fighting for their life — and the life of their baby. They don’t think they’ll miss out on nesting time, baby showers, and decorating the nursery. They don’t think their pregnancy will bury them in hundreds of thousands (or millions!) of dollars in medical bills. They don’t think they’ll spend the first weeks or months of their baby’s life driving back and forth from a hospital — or sleeping in a recliner next to their baby’s isolette among beeps and monitor alarms they’ll never be able to forget. That’s why we do what we can to bring light and love to as many NICU families as possible.