What You Don’t See After the NICU
This video is personal and raw. It’s about the part of the NICU journey that rarely gets talked about—what happens to NICU dads after the hospital stay is over.
After our NICU journey, I fell into one of the darkest seasons of my life. My physical health declined. My mental health crumbled. I didn’t recognize myself anymore—and honestly, I didn’t know how to ask for help.
As NICU dads, we’re often expected to be the rock—to stay strong for everyone else. But the truth is, I was silently breaking. And I know I’m not alone.
This is why we must talk about it.
The NICU doesn’t just affect babies. It takes a toll on entire families. And for dads, that toll often comes in silence—unseen, unacknowledged, and untreated. The anxiety. The sleepless nights. The weight gain. The depression. The physical and emotional burnout.
We need to change the conversation.
This post isn’t about sympathy. It’s about awareness and action. It’s about creating space for NICU dads to be honest about how they’re really doing. It’s about breaking the stigma around men’s mental health. It’s about saving lives—because too many dads suffer in silence.
If you’re a NICU dad: you are not alone.
If you know a NICU dad: check in on him.
And if you’re watching this: help us keep this conversation going.
Because strong doesn’t mean silent.
And healing starts with being heard.
#TheNICUDad #BuiltForThis #MentalHealthMatters #NICUDads #BreakTheSilence
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Alex Zavala
Alex Zavala – Entrepreneur, Advocate, and Founder of The NICU Dad. Alex Zavala is a passionate entrepreneur and fatherhood advocate dedicated to transforming how families experience life in the NICU. As the founder of The NICU Dad, Alex has built a national platform empowering fathers through community, conversation, and connection — including The NICU Dad Podcast, The NICU Dad Huddle, and The NICU Dad Collective, a forthcoming consulting initiative to help hospitals strengthen father engagement and family-centered care. A longtime Family Partner Faculty Member and Patient Family Advisory Council leader within the Dell Children’s Ascension NICU Network, Alex uses his lived experience as a NICU dad to drive quality improvement and emotional support for families facing similar journeys. Beyond advocacy, Alex is also a seasoned business owner, continuing his family’s legacy as the leader of Johnny Romero Heating & Air Conditioning, proudly serving Central Texas since 1983. Whether mentoring NICU fathers or managing his company’s growth, Alex brings heart, vision, and purpose to everything he does.
