When your baby is admitted to Newborn Intensive Care, s/he will be placed in the Intensive Care area. As s/he improves, s/he will be transferred to the Intermediate Care (Continuing Care) Nursery, which is also located within the unit. On your first visit to NICU, we will show you where to leave your belongings and wash your hands. Hospital gowns are available to put over your clothing if needed.

Even though your baby requires hospitalization, it is important for you to remember that s/he is your baby. Your presence in the NICU is important no matter how sick s/he may be. Your voice and touch are something that your baby will grow and recognize. We believe parents “do not visit” their babies in our nursery, but rather they are a part of the care giving team. Parents are encouraged to be present in the nursery at any time of the day or night. If you are a single parent, a significant other person may be designated as your support person and may visit at any time. Grandparents and clergy may also visit anytime. You will be given a picture ID badge for identification purposes. Please wear your badge when you are in the hospital.

1) Interactions with Your Baby

Your interaction with your baby will help you to get to know him/her and his/her own special personality. We encourage you to discuss with your nurse different ways to interact with your baby. We also encourage you to attend the “TLC Matters Class – Parenting in NICU” described in the “Support for Parents” section. This class helps you learn how to care for your baby in NICU. Some examples of how you can help your baby are:

1)      Spend as much time as you can in NICU with your baby or call to check on your baby if you are unable to be in NICU.
You can be close to your baby by staying in one of the NICU parent rooms or the Ronald McDonald rooms close to NICU.

2)      Care for your baby when you are in NICU.
You can do this by holding or providing skin-to-skin contact with your baby. The nurses will help you know what to do.

3)      Consider breastfeeding your baby.
We have breastfeeding consultants available to answer your questions. You may pump and store your breast milk until your baby is ready for it.

4)      Bring in items from home to personalize your baby’s bedside.
Examples of this include blankets to place over your baby’s incubator, small stuffed animals, family photos and clothing. Please label any items with your baby’s name prior to bringing them in. Soiled clothing will be sent home to be laundered. Because toys and clothing may occasionally get lost in the hospital laundry, it is safer to leave treasured belongings at home. We ask that you not bring balloons or large stuffed animals because they obstruct the views of the monitors. Unfortunately, plants can bring bugs into the nursery, so we ask that you please leave these at home.

5)      Take pictures of your infant.
The NICU has a digital camera for you to use. Instruction for how to use camera and the parent computer are at each end of the NICU. Ask your baby’s nurse for more information.

6)      Keep appointments for any classes, teaching or meetings with staff.

7)      Help decrease the risk of infection.
You and your visitors need to wash your hands upon entering the unit.

Only you (the parents) and grandparents may touch or hold your baby.

There are gowns available as you enter the unit that may be worn when holding your baby.

All persons coming into the unit need to be free of contagious diseases and symptoms (such as cold sores, shingles, elevated temperature, cough, runny nose, rash, vomiting and diarrhea)

2) Visitors

Visitors, (your friends and other relatives) may visit when accompanied by you (either parent) and must be at least 12 years old. Please keep in mind that premature and ill babies are very sensitive to noise and activity. Your baby may want or need you to limit the number of people at his or her bedside.

3) Your Other Children

Your children may visit if they are not sick and have had chicken pox or have had the

chicken pox vaccine at least six weeks ago. An adult must accompany children at all times. In general we suggest your child visit just once a week. It is important for your whole family to be involved, but small children can easily spread infection to babies.

4) Privacy

Occasionally, there may be times when you will be asked to step out of the unit, we apologize for this. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other families, you may be asked to leave during general rounds on Mondays from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.

5) Information About Your Baby

Information about your baby will be given to only you, so please ask friends and relatives not to call the unit. We prefer to speak with you directly whenever possible in order to be sure that you are aware of current happenings with your baby. In very special situations, and with your permission, we will give information to someone else. Feel free to call with questions or just to check on your baby at anytime. Our phone number is (574)647-7141 or toll free 1-800-477-1547. Our busiest times are during change of shifts (7:00am, 3:00pm & 7:00pm) and a nurse may not be available during these times to help you or take your call.

6) Parent Rooms

Rooms for parents to stay in are located in the NICU. There are also Ronald McDonald rooms available at different times. Please check with the NICU social worker at 647-3537 for availability.