September: March of Dimes and NICU Awareness Month

At Bam & Stitch, we believe in more than just creating cozy, joyful prints for little ones. We believe in supporting families through every stage of their journey. September is NICU Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the babies who begin life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the families who walk that journey alongside them, and the medical teams who provide lifesaving care every day.

This September, we're honored to partner with March of Dimes, a nonprofit with a powerful history and mission: building a world where every mom and baby is health. A percentage of Bam & Stitch proceeds this month will go directly to supporting March of Dimes and its life-changing work, especially for families in the NICU.

For many parents, the first days of life are filled with hope, excitement, and snuggles. But for families whose babies arrive too early or with unexpected complications, those early days may be spent in the NICU.

The NICU is often an overwhelming and emotional place. Tiny monitors beep, incubators hums, and parents balance joy with fear. NICU Awareness Month is about honoring those experiences, raising awareness of prematurity and newborn health challenges, and supporting the organizations working to make sure every baby has the healthiest start possible.

That's why Bam & Stitch has chosen to spotlight March of Dimes, because their mission aligns so closely with our own values of care, comfort, and family.

The March of Dimes was founded on January 3, 1938, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had lived with polio since childhood. At the time, polio was one of the most feared diseases, disabling and killing children in alarming numbers. Roosevelt’s vision was to unite the nation against polio, and the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was born.

The name March of Dimes was coined soon after by entertainer Eddie Cantor. Inspired by the newsreel series “The March of Time,” Cantor encouraged Americans to send dimes to the White House to support the fight against polio. The campaign caught fire, raising millions and proving the power of collective giving.

March of Dimes went on to play a pivotal role in funding the polio vaccines developed by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin; breakthroughs that virtually eliminated polio in the U.S.

After polio, March of Dimes turned its focus to new challenges facing moms and babies. Over the decades, their mission evolved toward preventing birth defects, reducing prematurity, and improving maternal and infant health.

Today, March of Dimes remains a leader in research, education, advocacy, and family support, and its work has never been more important.

At its core, March of Dimes is about ensuring that every baby gets the best possible start in life. That mission comes to life through a wide range of programs, from policy advocacy to hands-on NICU support.

• Funding Research : From vaccine development to prematurity prevention, March of Dimes invests in groundbreaking science that changes lives.

• Education & Resources : Expectant parents and families gain access to trusted information, empowering them with knowledge before and after birth.

• Government Advocacy : March of Dimes has helped shape legislation like the PREEMIE Act and policies around newborn screening and maternal mortality review committees.

• Direct Family Support : Through initiatives like NICU Family Support® and the My NICU Baby® app, they provide tools, guidance, and comfort to more than 50,000 families each year.

It’s this blend of science, advocacy, and compassion that makes March of Dimes so impactful.

Over the past eight decades, March of Dimes has built a legacy of progress. Some highlights include:

• Polio Eradication : Funding and organizing the “Polio Pioneers” vaccine trials, helping bring Jonas Salk’s vaccine to millions of children.

• Prenatal Health : Advocating for rubella vaccines, promoting folic acid awareness, and educating parents on healthy pregnancies.

• Prematurity Focus : Since 2005, leading efforts to reduce preterm birth through research centers, awareness campaigns like Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait, and nationwide policy advocacy.

• NICU Family Programs : Launched in 2001, these services provide emotional support, information, and resources directly inside hospitals, meeting families exactly where they are.

Their flagship fundraising event, March for Babies, has raised over $2 billion for maternal and infant health since its beginnings in the 1970s.

One of March of Dimes’ most beloved programs is its NICU Family Support program. These programs help parents navigate the stress and uncertainty of the NICU with compassion and practical tools. From bedside resources to support groups, families are never alone.

Their My NICU Baby app extends this care, offering 24/7 access to educational content, milestones tracking, and emotional support right from a parent’s phone. For families facing one of life’s hardest journeys, this connection makes all the difference.

At Bam & Stitch, we understand that the earliest days of life are precious, while also being fragile. That’s why we’re proud to support March of Dimes during NICU Awareness Month.

Throughout September, a percentage of proceeds from every Bam & Stitch purchase will go directly to March of Dimes programs. That means every romper, pajama set, or blanket you bring home helps fund life-changing research, advocacy, and support for families in need.

Shopping with Bam & Stitch this month isn’t just about soft fabrics and whimsical prints (though we love those too!). It’s about joining a movement that helps ensure every baby has the healthiest start possible.