The Special Care Baby Unit

Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are cared for in a unique environment where they’re constantly monitored so that if problems do occur they can be dealt with straightaway.

Premature babies often lack the body fat they need to keep them warm even if they’re wrapped up, so your baby may be placed in an incubator so that his body temperature can be monitored and maintained.

His breathing may need to be monitored too, so he’ll likely be surrounded by wires and bleeping equipment.

It can be very distressing for new parents to see their tiny baby in these circumstances, but rest assured that it’s all designed to minimize your baby’s stress and that he’ll be getting the best possible care.

You’ll be encouraged to spend lots of time with your baby, making contact and interacting with him even while he’s in the incubator. Specially trained staff will help you with expressing breast milk and it’ll be given to your baby via a feeding tube if he’s too premature or ill to suckle. You’ll be shown how to change his diapers and may also get to give him a bath.

Leaving your baby in NICU

It can be upsetting for you to leave your baby in the NICU, especially if you live some distance away and have to go home to care for other children. The staff are specially trained to help you if you feel low, and there will be other parents who are in the same situation as you to whom you can talk.

Going home

Your baby will stay in the NICU until he’s able to breastfeed or take breast milk or formula from a bottle, is steadily gaining weight, and can maintain his body temperature in an open crib. The NICU may also require that he reaches a certain weight. Most premature babies reach this point two to four weeks before their original due date unless they had more serious health problems when they were born.

Although premature babies may hit milestones slightly later than other babies their age, they catch up with their peers by the time they reach around two years old. If you have a premature baby it is best to look at her development in terms of her estimated due date rather than her actual birth date – so, if you’re wondering when she might smile for the first time, for example, expect it a little later than with a usual baby, who smiles at around six weeks.

See what will the future hold for my premature baby?

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 07/05/2007

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