As parents, we experience an abundance of “firsts” while raising our children. As new guardians especially, the “firsts” seem to pile on top of one another so quickly that it feels like you are collecting winning tokens in an exciting new casino game. The first sonogram. The first time hearing baby’s heartbeat, first kick, and eventually the first trip to the hospital. Every moment is a milestone to be cherished.

The firsts I have experienced and continue to take in with my two children are truly some of the greatest instances in my time thus far as a mother. Yet, one ‘first moment’ stands out in my mind apart from the rest. That is the memory of my first hugs with my daughter and son.

My daughter’s birth went as well as a first-time birth can, or so I’ve been told. The only surprise in her birth was her gender, and we were over the moon with excitement. I remember the doctor placing her in my arms and feeling paralyzed with both excitement and terror as I held this tiny being that immediately locked eyes with me and claimed my heart forever. My first hug with her was unsure in touch but unfaltering in love.

My son’s foray into the world was much different. We knew we had a boy on the way and were filled with joy when the first pangs of his impending arrival began knocking on my uterine wall. While my daughter’s arrival was slow and steady, my son’s was intense and rushed. Upon his silent arrival into the world, he was immediately whisked away from me, and my empty arms ached for him while I held my own breath and listened for his cries. They came minutes (hours? years?) later, and he was immediately taken to the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit.

I lay in my hospital bed for hours, paralyzed in fear as in my daughter’s birth, but also paralyzed physically from medication. I couldn’t move, and I couldn’t do the one thing I wanted to do the most: hold and hug my son.

Hours later, I was wheeled to the NICU literally trembling in anticipation of meeting my baby. When I first laid eyes on him, he was sleeping on his tummy, surrounded by strange wires and beeping machines, wearing an ill-fitting diaper. After many reassurances from the NICU nurse, I gingerly lifted my tiny boy into my eager arms and nuzzled him into me. I struggled to look natural and finesse his cumbersome diaper so that it would cover him. Such a tiny little human. He remained sleeping while we embraced and I could feel our connection instantly. He didn’t need to make eye contact because it was our hearts that immediately intertwined.

Though our first hug involved the maneuvering of wires, the coaching of nurses, finagling of his diaper and the trepidation of a very emotional mama, it was our first embrace and a moment I will forever cherish.

Thanks to the generous hearts at Huggies, the memories of a mother and baby’s first hug can be a bit smoother than my own, and remain long after their embrace has ended. In partnership with NICU nurses and neonatal therapists, today Huggies launched the Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diaper to help even the most vulnerable of babies to have their needs met and their sensitive skin caressed in a loving way.

With fewer than 1.4 percent of babies born each year falling within this category, Neonatal Intensive Care Units have been lacking a diaper solution specifically suited to these tiny miracles. The narrow, gentle fasteners are specially sized to provide a secure fit without inhibiting the leg and hip for fetal tuck positioning. The soft, smooth liner and gentle leg gathers guard against leakage, and are uniquely designed to help avoid irritation of fragile, underdeveloped skin.

Designed with these delicate babies weighing less than two pounds (900 grams) in mind, the newly-launched diaper helps to promote healthy growth and development of premature babies, and fulfills the Huggies’ No Baby Unhugged promise to ensure that NICU babies get the care and comfort that they need.

Together with Huggies, we can make a world of memories with our babies, one hug at a time. A premature baby is no easy road, and every innovation that makes these special souls more comfortable and life easier for parents is a huge gift. Thank you, Huggies, for understanding and innovating for the small but mighty group of wee ones.

Disclosure: This post was made possible by Huggies. All opinions and anecdotes are our own.