Connection on every page: NICU Read-A-Thon encourages family bonding

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2026) — The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Golisano Children’s at UK is participating in the 2026 Babies with Books Read-A-Thon, a friendly competition between NICUs that encourages families to read to their babies while in the hospital. 

The seventh annual Read-A-Thon is Sept. 14-24, with no cost to participating families. In last year’s event, families in 249 NICUs across the country participated with 73,817 reading sessions in the 11-day period. Numerous studies have shown that reading to babies is more than just a way for families to bond before bedtime. 

“Reading with babies creates and strengthens neural connections that promote social-emotional development and language skills during this critical period of early brain development,” said Brittney Gray, Psy.D., pediatric psychologist at Golisano Children’s at UK and NICU psychosocial director. “Reading aloud to infants hospitalized in the NICU is one strategy for parents to support their infant’s neurodevelopment.” 

Babies who are born premature or with complex medical conditions often have to spend time in the NICU. Their stay could be brief, just a few days or a week. If they were born well before their due date or need a more intensive course of treatment, the NICU stay could last weeks or months. Sometimes, a baby will spend the first year of its life in the hospital — or longer. 

Those babies are already more likely to experience developmental delays, learning disabilities or other poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Compounded by the isolation, sensory deprivation and emotional stress of the hospital setting, they are at risk of missing crucial developmental milestones. Families also feel the effects, and new parents often struggle to pivot to their “new normal” — far from the home life filled with baby snuggles and bedtime stories they spent months imagining.  

“The NICU experience frequently serves as a significant disruption for parental attachment, bonding and connection with their baby,” said Gray. “Aside from the neurological boost babies get from being read to, reading gives parents an activity to do with and for their sick infants, alleviating some of the feelings of helplessness that are deeply distressing and all too common for NICU parents.” 

For times when parents and family members cannot be with their babies in the hospital, the NICU staff are on standby to introduce their pint-sized patients to beloved classic stories and help families complete their Read-A-Thon reading sessions. 

Participation in this year’s Read-A-Thon was made possible by a generous donation from the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), a philanthropic partner that has funded numerous projects in the hospital, including animal therapy, facility upgrades and lifesaving research. 

Thanks to CMN, NICU families at UK Golisano Children’s will receive a tote bag with five books, along with educational information about the importance of reading to babies. In a study about NICU improvement initiatives, results demonstrated that providing books to NICU families increases how often parents read at the bedside. 

“The biggest focus of this event is educating families about the importance of reading and social engagement with babies, even the very tiniest ones,” said Gray. “I am hopeful that the opportunity to share educational materials will positively impact parent’s attitudes about importance of early language development and have the potential to have far-reaching positive effects on NICU babies following discharge.” 

The impact of reading to babies goes beyond strengthening neural pathways and language development. Children who were frequently read to as babies demonstrate higher rates of kindergarten readiness than their peers. Studies have also suggested that reading before kindergarten increases a child’s vocabulary, and that book ownership motivates their interest in reading.  

Through the Read-A-Thon, families and NICU staff are turning story time into an opportunity for connection, supporting early brain development and helping families create meaningful moments together during their NICU journey. 

Learn more about the Babies with Books Read-A-Thon and how reading supports babies’ development.