In the NICU

• In the NICU, your baby receives special medical care.
• It's natural for you to feel frightened and confused.
• Become your baby's advocate and get involved in his care.

The wonderful time you imagined for so long has taken an unexpected turn. Your baby needs special medical care in a newborn intensive care unit, or NICU, a section of the hospital that provides round the clock care to sick or premature infants. It has specialized equipment and highly trained doctors and nurses who will provide the best possible care for your baby.

Many hospitals do not have NICUs so your baby may have been transferred to a NICU from another hospital.

The NICU roller coaster

It is natural for you to feel frightened and confused and not know what to do. Know that your feelings are normal and shared by many other families in the NICU. Also know that you being there is important and special to your baby.

Be on your baby’s team

The more you know about your baby’s medical condition and care, the more you can look out for his best interests and become his advocate. From the start, make it a goal to form a good working relationship with the NICU staff.

As you get to know your baby’s doctors and nurses, you will feel more comfortable asking questions or making suggestions. Ask the staff to keep you informed about your baby’s medical conditions and when there are choices to be made about your baby’s care, ask that you be included. Remember you all share the same goal – the best care for your baby.

See also: Share your story