Colorado state senator plans to bring a bill inspired by the pain he saw when his son was in NICU

blog

Colorado state Sen. Jeff Bridges recently celebrated a significant milestone in his family’s life—the first birthday of his son, Kit—by advocating for a new bill aimed at supporting parents of prematurely born children. Kit was born two months early, weighing just 2 pounds, and the experience was both joyous and terrifying for the Bridges family. For one week, they couldn't hold their son, and during that time, they faced countless uncertainties, including moments when Kit's health would suddenly decline.

Brie Bridges, Jeff's wife, shared the emotional strain of juggling their son's critical condition and work responsibilities. Employers often require a degree of predictability regarding employees' availability, which was challenging for the Bridges. Since they couldn't work in the traditional sense while caring for Kit, their employers allowed them to work remotely from the neonatal unit, fostering a unique bond with other families in similar situations.

In contrast, many parents in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) don't have the option to work remotely, forcing them to choose between using their limited parental leave while their baby is hospitalized or saving it for when the baby comes home. This predicament inspired Jeff to propose legislation that would enable parents to utilize family leave during their child's hospitalization without depleting their parental leave for when they are finally able to bring the baby home.

Sen. Bridges believes this bill will alleviate the pressure on families during an already incredibly stressful time, benefiting not only parents but also the premature infants who need their parents’ presence. He emphasized the importance of having parents by their children's side, especially since it has been shown to support the babies' growth and recovery.

Expressing gratitude for the support they received during their own challenging experience, Jeff and Brie Bridges are committed to easing the burden for other families navigating similar difficulties. Dr. Todd West, a neonatologist at Rose Medical Center, echoed the sentiment that the proposed bill will positively impact both parents and their newborns, as it allows families to focus on their children when they need them the most.