Since they opened, Hushabye Nursery has helped about 600 families through inpatient and outpatient care, according to executive director Tara Sundem. They care for babies 24/7 through soothing techniques and try not to do nonpharmacological treatments, though they do have medicine for the babies that may need it.

In central Phoenix, Hushabye Nursery is home to babies born withdrawing from addictive substances they were exposed to in the womb. They spend their first days of life in dimly lit rooms equipped with cribs, changing tables and adult-size beds so their parents, many of whom are still in recovery, can stay with them. Framed prints on the walls read: Inhale. Exhale.

Join us for our two-year celebration of embracing more than 350 substance exposed babies and their caregivers with compassion that changes the course of their lives.

In honor of March’s Women’s History Month, Renee Parsons visited Hushabye Nursery and spoke with Executive Director and Co-Founder, Tara Sundem. Thank you, Renee Parson and The Bob and Renee Parson’s Foundation for all that you do for our community. 

Pregnant with her second child, Clarissa Collins was at her methadone clinic when a woman walked in with a box of doughnuts and a baby doll. The woman, Tara Sundem, was partway through a five-year effort to open Hushabye Nursery and launch a novel family-focused program that would treat substance-exposed infants and offer care and support to their caregivers.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) refers to symptoms of withdrawal that babies may have if their mothers used or abused substances during pregnancy.

Providing comfort measures is always the first treatment for NAS.

Learn how to help an uncomfortable baby using some advanced swaddling and movement methods.

Listen to our story from Hushabye Nursery’s Founder, Tara Sundem, and President, Brandon Clark.