NICU

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is the part of the hospital where premature or sick newborns are cared for. It may be scary to see your baby in the NICU. The hospital staff understands this. They will explain what happens and will answer your questions.

You may not feel very important compared to all the people and machines involved in your baby's care. But you are important. Your baby needs you. To babies, the most important people in the world are their family members.

You are a big part of your baby's care team. The NICU staff can help you understand your baby's needs. They can help you learn about the technology, medical words, rules, and procedures in the NICU. But you know what matters to your family. You will make the decisions about what is best for your baby.

Infants who are sick or premature may need help with feeding. They may be too weak or small to suck on a breast or bottle. Maybe their bodies aren't ready to digest breast milk or formula. This can be frustrating and scary for parents. Taking care of your baby is something you want and expect to do. The staff in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) will involve you in your baby's care as much as possible. Know that your baby is getting the nourishment needed for growth.

How your baby is fed depends on your baby's health needs. Your baby may be:

• Tube-fed. This means that a tube goes through your baby's nose and then into the stomach. The tube delivers special fluid that feeds (nourishes) your baby. Your baby may be able to have breast milk through the tube.
• Fed through a vein (intravenously). This is also called an I.V. A tiny needle or tube is put into a vein. When the I.V. needle is in place, fluids can go quickly into the bloodstream and into the rest of the body.
• Breast- or bottle-fed. If this is the case, you may be able to feed your baby yourself.

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is the part of the hospital where premature or sick newborns get care.

It can be scary to see your baby in a room filled with unfamiliar machines. Some of them are noisy. But all of them help the doctor and the NICU staff take good care of your baby.

Some equipment protects and keeps your baby comfortable.

• The incubator, or isolette, is a special crib that keeps your baby warm. It also serves as a barrier to drafts and germs.

Other devices help your baby breathe.

• A ventilator is a machine that breathes for your baby while the lungs are growing or healing. It sends oxygen or air into the lungs through a thin tube. The tube is placed in the windpipe through the nose or mouth.
• A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be used when a ventilator isn't needed. It gently pushes oxygen or air into the lungs through a mask over the baby's nose or mouth. The baby can breathe on their own with this extra help.
• A nasal cannula is a thin tube with two prongs that are placed in the nostrils when the baby just needs more oxygen. The oxygen goes through the openings in the prongs and into the baby's nostrils. Oxygen may also be given through a clear plastic hood that rests over the baby's head.

Doctors use special tools to give your baby medicine, fluids, and food.

• A medicine pump is a machine that delivers exactly the right amounts of medicines at the right times through an I.V. site, central line, or umbilical venous catheter.
• An intravenous (I.V.) site gives access to a vein. It may be placed in the back of the hand, foot, arm, leg, or scalp. One end of a tube is attached to the site. The other end may be attached to a medicine pump. It can also be used to take samples of blood for testing.
• A central vascular access device (CVAD), or central line, is a long, thin tube that can be placed in the neck, chest, or arm. It is threaded through a vein until it reaches a larger vein near the heart. It can stay in place longer than an I.V. and can deliver fluids or medicines quickly if needed.
• An umbilical venous catheter is a thin, flexible tube. It's inserted into a blood vessel in the belly button (umbilicus). The tube may be attached to a medicine pump.

Other devices help the NICU staff keep track of your baby's condition.

• An inflatable cuff on the arm or leg takes the baby's blood pressure. Then it sends that data to the blood pressure monitor.
• A temperature probe attached to the baby's skin keeps track of your baby's temperature. It can be used to adjust the heat in the isolette or an overhead heater.
• The heart monitor has a sensor attached to the chest. It tracks breathing and heart rate.
• A pulse oximeter clips on to the baby's hand or foot. It measures how much oxygen is in the blood.

You don't have to remember what each piece of equipment does. The NICU staff will answer your questions and tell you how these tools are helping your baby.

It's hard to be apart from your baby, especially when you worry about your baby's condition. Know that the hospital staff is well prepared to care for babies with this condition. They will do everything they can to help. If you need it, ask for support from friends and family. You can also ask the hospital staff about counseling and support.

• Sleep helps your baby grow and develop. Your baby may sleep more than a full-term baby does, but for shorter periods of time. It may seem like a long time before your baby responds to you.
• Your baby may be fussy and sensitive to light, sounds, touch, and movement. You can make your baby more comfortable by making a calm environment in your home. It also helps to hold your baby as much as possible.
• The change from being a parent in the NICU to being a parent at home can be stressful. It's helpful to be open and honest and to talk about your daily challenges as well as your joys. Sometimes the best support comes from people who are facing the same things that you are. Your hospital may have a support group for families with preemies. There are support groups on the Internet too.
• Remember that the hospital and your baby's doctor are just a phone call away if you have questions or problems.

If your preterm infant is admitted to the NICU, you'll be an important part of your baby's care team. The NICU doctors and nurses will help you learn about new technologies, medical words, and rules and procedures. They'll show you how to work around the NICU equipment. With their support, you can quickly learn about your baby's needs and what you can do to help.

• At first, you'll be able to touch and maybe hold your baby.
• A mother can provide breast milk for tube-feeding. This reduces your baby's risk of infection.
• As your baby grows stronger, you'll be able to take on more caregiving tasks, from feeding to changing diapers and bathing.