BRANDON, Fla. — September is Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month.

During that month, caregivers and families around the world are encouraged to read to babies in the NICU.

An annual read-a-thon competition aims to support infant brain development, family bonding and reducing stress. HCA Florida Brandon Hospital participated in the competition and came in 9th this year across the world for the total number of books read.

The Brandon Hospital team conducted 670 reading sessions with NICU babies over the 10-day competition, more than tripling their goal.

NICU Nurse Kayleigh Mockley has been helping the hospital expand its library.

She says it’s never too early to read to a baby.

“A lot of the work that we do in the NICU as far as positioning babies and making them feel comfortable is trying to make them feel like they're still inside (mom’s womb). So it's wonderful for them to hear their parents’ voice telling them stories because it reminds them of what it was like inside.”

Dr. Bianca Karber is a neonatologist at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital.

She says her experience in medical school solidified her passion for caring for babies.

“When I was in pediatrics you have to go through authorizations and just my first rotation was NICU. I was scared to death, but these babies are just, you know, they have the secrets of the universe so they're amazing beings,” said Karber.

She now works with newborns in the NICU unit.

“It’s just so satisfying, to see them go home and live healthy lives,” she adds.

She cares for some of the most critical patients, including babies born prematurely.

Karber says it’s an agonizing experience for parents.

“It's a loss because you missed that opportunity of having, you know, a normal birth and having all your friends come. I’ve been a lot more compassionate towards them, a little more understanding of what they're going through when they go through the NICU because for many parents, it's a traumatic experience being in the NICU,” she said.

Karber’s compassion grew deeper seven months ago.

“I lost a baby in March,” said Karber. “It was really hard because, you know, every day we get reminded of, you know, of that painful experience.”

She’s gotten through the recent loss with the support of her colleagues.

“My work family asked me if there was anything they could do in her memory,” she said.

They did so by expanding the NICU library and renaming it Pippa's Library.

Each book has been bought or donated in Pippa’s name.

“I feel that from the grief of losing her and wanting to create a legacy in her name, she's alive,” said Karber.

Hearing the words in these books encourages brain development in babies that are adjusting to their new environment.

HCA Florida Brandon Hospital participated in a read-a-thon for NICU babies. Karber believes that the hospital’s expanded library, along with the help of volunteers, increased the number of hours each baby was read to.

The 2022 event included 154 NICUs around the globe with a total of 31,879 reading sessions with NICU babies.