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CARING FOR YOUR BABY IN THE NICU: QUICK TIPS!



About the video

Giving birth is a special and exciting time! But sometimes pregnancy and delivery do not go as planned. If your baby is born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or has a condition that requires special medical attention, they will need to spend some time in the NICU. The NICU, or neonatal intensive care unit, is a hospital department with specialists and advanced technology dedicated to caring for sick or premature infants.


Some things you may experience in the NICU:


Depending on the baby’s needs, different types of care can include:


  • Incubation. An incubator is a plastic bassinet designed to regulate the baby’s body temperature. As the baby gets stronger and feels better, they will transition from the incubator to an open crib in the NICU.

  • Monitoring. Sticky sensors may be taped to the baby’s chest, arms, or legs to monitor the baby’s heart, breathing rate, blood pressure, and temperature.


  • Feeding support. If the baby has difficulty eating on their own, they will need feeding support. This may be in the form of an oral or nasal tube that is threaded through the baby’s mouth or nose, and into their stomach. As their condition improves, they can start breastfeeding or eating breast milk from a bottle.

  • Breathing support. Some babies have difficulty breathing on their own, and they need respiratory assistance. There are many methods of respiratory assistance including oral tubes, ventilators, C-PAP, or an oxygen hood. The method used depends on the baby’s health needs.

  • Additional fluids. The NICU team will monitor the baby’s fluid levels to make sure they are getting enough fluids each day. Fluids are delivered to the baby via intravenous therapy (IV). IV therapy uses a small flexible tube that is inserted into the body to deliver fluids or medication directly into the bloodstream.

  • Bilirubin lights. After birth, some babies may develop jaundice, a condition in which high levels of bilirubin causes yellowing of the skin or eyes. Bilirubin lights are special lights that are used to treat jaundice. While under these special lights, babies will wear a mask to protect their eyes.

  • Medications and surgery. Depending on the baby’s health needs, the NICU team may need to give medications or perform surgery to improve the baby’s health. The NICU team will discuss any and all necessary medications, surgeries, and procedures in your baby’s care plan with you.

  • Blood transfusions.  Some health conditions and newborn testing can lower the baby’s blood levels. If the baby’s blood levels become too low, they may need a blood transfusion.


Staying involved in your baby’s care:


As your baby becomes healthier and more stable, you can get more involved in their care routine. You may be able to:



  • Provide breast milk. If you are planning to breastfeed, you can begin pumping breast milk to build and maintain your milk supply right after your baby is born. Depending on your baby’s readiness, you may be able to bottle feed, or breastfeed your baby. You can freeze and store your breast milk until your baby is ready.


You can learn more about navigating breastfeeding in the NICU here. 



To supplement your breastmilk, you may also be able to receive donor breast milk. Medi-Cal covers medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) when obtained from a licensed and approved facility. There are two Human Milk banks in California.


We have a guide for you to learn more here


  • Change diapers and clothing. Handling a very small or sick baby may be difficult at first. Take your time to become more comfortable and ask questions from the care team once you begin changing your baby’s diapers and clothes.


  • Swaddling and skin-to-skin. You may be able to have skin-to-skin contact (also known as Kangaroo Care) with your baby. Kangaroo Care strengthens your bond, helps with breast milk production, and offers health benefits to 

you and your baby.

NICU Milestones


Before you can take your baby home, your baby will need to meet certain milestones. The requirements for discharge may vary depending on the hospital, but most NICUs will require your baby to:

  • Breathe on their own

  • Regulate their body temperature

  • Breastfeed or bottle-feed

  • Gain weight over time

  • Be free of any life-threatening health problems



Learn more about premature birth here

Learn more about kangaroo care (skin-to-skin) here

Learn more about donated breastmilk here

Learn more about doulas here

Learn more about preeclampsia here

Learn more about gestational diabetes here

Learn more about anemia during pregnancy here



Sources:

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