What is nicu?

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.

• You'll often come to the NICU and find different people working there. This is normal. Nurses and doctors go on and off duty with shift changes. Doctors and specialists may change as they care for other babies in the NICU. Your baby will always be in good hands. Doctors and nurses get updated on your baby's condition when they come on shift.
• It's hard to be apart from your baby, especially when you worry about his or her 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.

The day you've been looking forward to—and worrying about—is finally coming. Your baby is going home. You may wonder if you and your baby are ready for the big event.

The NICU staff will make sure that your baby is ready to go home. And they'll help you get the support you need. A member of the staff will be in charge of planning your baby's discharge from the hospital. He or she will answer your questions about what will happen before and after your baby leaves the NICU.

The NICU staff will know that your baby is ready to go home when:

• Your baby keeps gaining weight and can feed through a nipple. If your baby is gaining weight but still needs tube feeding, he or she still may be able to go home. You can set up the feeding equipment in your home. The NICU staff will teach you how to use it.
• Your baby's body temperature stays normal in an open infant bed.
• Your baby's heart rate and breathing rate stay normal for a week. If your baby still has breathing problems but is otherwise healthy, you may use portable oxygen at home. You may also have a device in your home to watch your baby's breathing.

The NICU staff will make sure that you know everything you need to know. They will teach you:

• About your baby's feeding needs. The hospital staff will give you a feeding schedule. They will teach you what you need to know about feeding your baby at home.
• How to do infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• How to safely transport your baby in the car.
• How to arrange your home to set up any special equipment your baby may need.
• How to handle any medicines or medical equipment your baby may need at home.

Before you and your baby go home, you'll meet with the hospital's discharge planner, the doctor, and the NICU staff. You'll discuss a medical care plan. The plan will include checkups, specialist care, and ongoing tests. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have. This is also a good time to make an appointment with your baby's regular doctor. The first appointment should be a few days after your baby comes home. The NICU staff will make sure that your baby's doctor has all the important health information to care for your baby.

Check to see if home-based health care and support are available in your area. Your hospital may offer home visits or home nursing care. The discharge planner or social worker can help you arrange it.

You may feel overwhelmed with emotion and information. You and your loved ones may handle issues and feelings in different ways. This can create a strain. Take time to think of yourself. Try to get enough rest and food. Arrange for and accept as much help from friends and family as you can. Visit with a friend, spiritual adviser, counselor, or social worker. It helps to talk about how you feel. Your hospital may have a support group for NICU parents.

You're an important part of your baby's NICU care team. At first, you'll be able to touch or hold your baby. A mother can pump breast milk for tube feeding. As your baby grows stronger, you'll take on more caregiving tasks, such as bathing. The NICU nurses will teach you and answer your questions.

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.

By spending time in the NICU, you will get to know your baby, and your baby will get to know you. The NICU staff will support your spending as much time with your baby as you can.

The staff will help you learn what you can do for your baby in the NICU. For example:

• You may not be able to pick up your baby at first, but you can hold your baby's hand or foot. Touch can help you bond.
• You can talk to your baby. Your voice is already familiar and comforting to your baby.
• You can feed your baby or be present for feedings.
• You can bring in special items for your baby, such as a hat, a blanket, a soft toy, or family photos.

There may be other things you can do for your baby too. The NICU is a busy place, and it may be hard to speak up. But you are the best advocate for your baby. The staff knows that you will have questions. They will help you get them answered and help you provide as much care for your baby as you can.

It is a good idea to be present when the nurses change shifts and the doctors visit the NICU. This will help you know the hospital staff and learn more about your baby's care.

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.