Welcome to smallTalk!
We’re here to help you and your care team support your baby.
Download the Parent App
NICU Egg for Parents
Let’s Get Started!
User Guide
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Connect to Your Care Team
Search for your hospital and accept the sharing agreement to connect with your care team.
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Create Recordings
You can now make recordings using the app. You will need to make a minimum of 3 minutes of recordings. Once you have your recordings, add them to a playlist for your care team to transfer to the Egg speaker. Playlist duration should be no less than 3 and no more than 15 minutes.
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Transfer to the Egg
Once you have a playlist, you are ready to transfer to the Egg. Click “Connect an Egg.” Then, hold the button on the Egg for 3 seconds to initiate pairing mode. After the Egg is paired, you will be able to transfer the playlist.
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Play for Baby
Your care team will play your recordings on the Egg speaker for your baby when you can’t be there. Duration and volume have been set based on their individual needs.
Why Your Voice Matters
Your voice is the sweetest sound to your baby and supports their development. Don’t be nervous—they can’t wait to hear from you!
Introducing Infant-Directed Speech (IDS)
When talking to your baby, you naturally use "baby talk" or IDS, which includes higher pitch, slower tempo, and exaggerated intonation. IDS captures your baby's attention and supports brain development.
Key Features of Infant-Directed Speech:
Higher Pitch: Speak or sing in a higher tone.
Slower Tempo: Slow down your speech.
Exaggerated Intonation: Use a sing-song quality! Draw out the vowels.
Clear Pronunciation: Enunciate each word clearly.
Repetition: Repeat words and phrases.
Benefits of Your Voice in the NICU:
Attention: Your voice grabs and holds your baby's attention.
Development: Supports brain growth.
Bonding: Comforts your baby and helps form a bond.
Listen To a Sample
Here is a short sample of infant-directed speech. You can hear the pitch changes and rhythm that hold a baby’s attention!
Be Natural: Speak directly to your baby with warmth and love. Imagine you’re together, or use a photo.
Simple Language: Use short, clear sentences. Read a baby book or sing lullabies.
Interactive Phrases: Include questions and pauses.
Storytelling/Singing: Record simple stories or songs.
Consistency: Make regular recordings and update weekly. Share feelings, new lullabies, or stories.
Recording Tips:
Using the smallTalk NICU Egg, you can keep your baby comforted and engaged with your voice, even when you're not there.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The NICU Egg is designed for medically stable infants 28 weeks postmenstrual age and older.
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Charging must always be done away from the baby. Plug the power cord into the power block, connect the other end to the charging pad, and plug it into an outlet. Place the Egg on the charging pad — the charging indicator light will flash blue while charging and turn solid blue when fully charged. The battery indicator flashes red when the battery level drops below 20%.
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For parents or care teams on the starter system: Use the NICU Egg for Parents app to create recordings, make playlists, and transfer to the Egg. Download the app here
For care teams on the enterprise system: The NICU Egg for Hospitals app to connect and manage parent accounts, and transfer playlists to the Egg. Download the app here:
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Use either app to create an account, make recordings, and assemble a playlist. Playlists must be 3–15 minutes long.
To pair: tap "Connect an Egg," hold the button on the Egg for 3 seconds until the pairing light pulses blue, then select "Connect" in the app.
Once paired, select "Transfer New Playlist," choose your playlist from the 3-dot menu, then tap "Transfer to Speaker."
You'll be asked about the infant's postmenstrual age and whether they're in an incubator or open crib — answer these before tapping "Begin Transfer."
Transfer is complete when the power light turns off. Tap "Disconnect from the Egg" to finish.
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When you have your Egg ready with your playlist, bring it to your care team. We included a care team postcard in your package, or you can access a printable version here.
Getting Started
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Press the single button once to start playback. Press it again to stop. The playlist will play for the programmed duration (10–20 minutes) and then stop automatically. The power light will pulse blue while content is playing. Volume is set to a safe level audible to the infant.
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The NICU Egg automatically sets volume and duration based on the infant's age and location (incubator vs. open crib) that you enter during file transfer. You can only adjust these settings at the time of transfer — not during playback. Volume is
Volume is set at 50 dba in the incubator, and 55 dba in the crib
Duration 10 - 20 minutes depending on PMA
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If the speaker flashes red 5 times when you press the button, it means there is no playlist loaded on the device. Use the companion app to transfer a playlist before attempting playback.
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The NICU Egg is designed for medically stable infants 28 weeks postmenstrual age and older.
Playing a few times per nursing shift during wakeful periods is recommended.
Place the speaker approximately 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) from the infant's head.
Always follow safe sleep practices.
Playback
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Do not immerse the speaker in water or any fluid. Do not place the speaker in direct contact with the infant. The charging pad and power cord must never be used inside an incubator or crib, or placed near the infant.
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Pairing: Pulsing blue = pairing mode · Solid blue = successful connection · Flashing red = no connection
Power: Pulsing blue = playing · Flashing red = no playlist or resetting
Battery: Flashing red = low battery · Flashing blue = charging · Solid blue = fully charged
Safety
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It is recommended that the smallTalk® NICU Egg™ be thoroughly cleaned as needed with the PDI Super Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Wipes, alcohol wipes, or a disinfectant that is compatible with plastic. View the full cleaning procedure.
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Do not use PDI Sani-Cloth AF3, CaviWipes Surface Disinfectant, petroleum-based solvents, or disinfectants containing aldehydes, phenols, or amines as active ingredients. These can damage the device and its sensors.
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Hold the button for 10 seconds to clear all content — the power light will flash red 5 times to confirm. To verify the device is empty, press the button once; it will flash red 5 times, indicating no playlist is stored.