One Promise, One Thousand Families Later

Owlet Cares is our advocacy initiative that is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of babies and parents. 

One way we do this is by partnering with nonprofits all over the world who share our mission. These groups participate in our 3:1 match program. When they purchase one Owlet product, we match it with two, meaning three families are reached.

This month in honor of NICU Awareness Month, we are shining a spotlight on one of our foundation partners and the important work they are doing. 

Silvie Bells was founded in honor of Silvana “Silvie” Quinn Smith. In her own words, Silvie’s mom shares their family's story and their reason behind donating one thousand Owlet Dream Sock® monitors to families across the country. 

By: Jennifer Oliver Smith

Overjoyed. Thankful. Hopeful.

As a veteran NICU mom and current advocate for NICU parents across the country, I know first hand the peace of mind that comes with empowering parents to provide the best care for their baby and it is truly my honor to help spread that awareness through Silvie Bells, a foundation named in honor of my daughter. 

Over ten years ago, our daughter Silvana Quinn (Silvie) was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck combined with meconium in her lungs (meconium aspiration). This combination led to severe PPHN - Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn; a life-threatening illness. Silvie was transported from her birth hospital to Salah Foundation Children's Hospital at Broward Health in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This Level 3 NICU had a team of nurses, doctors and therapists that worked on her day and night.  Silvie was given a 10% chance of survival.  There were countless sleepless nights where we held our breath until the morning, not knowing if she would survive the night. 

During that impossible time, I made a promise to both myself and to Silvie: "If Silvie survives, I will pay it forward." Throughout December and January, Silvie fought for her life and was finally and happily discharged January 31, 2016. 

That September, I learned of NICU Awareness Month and remembered my promise to give back. I thought about the holidays being just around the corner and I remembered how horrible it was having our Silvie in the NICU throughout December and January. That is when it hit me, my “give back” would be to parents with babies in the NICU during the holidays. I would give the parents in our NICU the things that helped us along our journey. 

When Silvie was just four months old, her Owlet monitor alarmed at 3am, leading us to take quick action and get Silvana the care she needed. Research shows that NICU babies have a 3 to 4 times greater risk of passing from SIDS/SUIDS than healthy babies*.  An Owlet smart baby monitor was at the top of the list of items to donate to NICU families in our care packages.

In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, we pivoted from giving away Silvie Bells Care Packages to local hospitals during the holidays, to shipping care packages across the country throughout the year.   We are proud to share that Silvie Bells has just achieved a new milestone by gifting 1,000 Owlet monitors in our comfort packages to NICU families in need across the country!

We are excited to reach our next milestone and to continue including Dream Sock® monitors in our packages! The peace of mind that comes with being able to have insights about your baby at home is priceless, and being able to share this with other parents is so fulfilling. 

The NICU is a difficult road - likely the most difficult road any parent has ever been down. You will navigate challenges you never dreamed of and you’ll find strength you didn’t know you had. As you weather these challenges, know that you are not alone and there are resources available to help you navigate life outside of the NICU. 

It is truly my family’s honor to walk this journey with you, and to partner with Owlet in providing support as you navigate the transition home so you can focus on what matters most - time with your baby. 

Author Bio: 

Jennifer Oliver Smith founded Silvie Bells, a NICU nonprofit, in 2016.  The foundation donates care packages to NICU families in honor of her daughter, Silvana, who spent significant time in the NICU after being born. 

In addition to operating Silvie Bells, Jennifer is a native Floridian, a realtor, a partner to Caleb and a mother to 10-year old Silvana.  She is an Owlet Cares Foundation partner and serves on the Advisory Board of Around Wellington Magazine. 

*AAP

The quotes, stories, and experiences shared in this post are those of the individual(s) featured and do not necessarily reflect the views of Owlet. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, mental health care, or treatment. If you have questions about your health, your child's health, grief support, or pregnancy after loss, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional.

Dream Sock is intended to track baby's pulse rate and oxygen level and keep parents informed. Dream Sock is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or other condition, including but not limited to, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and/or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Medical decisions should never be made solely using Dream Duo™ and Dream Sock data. Dream Duo and Dream Sock should not substitute for the care and oversight of an adult or consultation with medical professionals.