Most NICUs welcome parents' calls to check on their baby any time, day or night, except during the morning and evening shift changes (usually 1-hour periods). Staff in the NICU will provide you with the NICU telephone number. If the nursery is very busy when you call, you may have to leave a message, or you may have to call again.

Some NICUs provide other ways of keeping contact with parents. Ask your social worker or baby's nurse about other possible options.

August 2009