Why some babies get admitted to the NICU?
Babies are admitted to the NICU for a variety of reasons
including if they:
-
Are born before 36 weeks of gestation (the normal full-term
gestation is 40 weeks).
-
Have difficulties with their breathing that require
support.
-
Are born with problems that require surgical correction.
-
Are at risk of feeding problems.
-
Have a suspected infection.
-
Just require close observation for a short while, sometimes
for just a matter of hours.
-
Have other medical conditions requiring treatment in
hospital.
Sometimes babies are transferred to us from other neonatal
units because we have the staff, expertise and capacity
to care for very sick babies.
When can I visit my baby?
The Unit is open to visiting for parents 24 hours a day;
Other visitors may visit from 1430 to 1630 and 1900 to 2030
hrs.
During the initial admission period, the doctors and nurses
can be very busy caring for your baby. The nurses will let
you know as soon as it is possible to come to see your baby.
If you have delivered your baby at The Rosie/Addenbrooke's:
You and/or your partner can visit the Unit as soon as possible.
Mothers who have delivered by Caesarian section can visit
on their bed.
If your baby is transferred here from another hospital:
You will be shown where your baby is and updated as to his/her
condition, and get acquainted with the staff. Later, you
will either be shown to a parents' room on the Unit or if
the mother is still a patient she may be admitted to Sara
ward.
How many visitors can come to see the baby at a time?
We only allow two adult visitors by your baby's
cot at any one time. One of these must be one of the baby's
parents. This limit is to reduce the risks of any infection
being spread in the Unit and because the rooms get crowded.
If a large family wants to visit, they can take it in turns
to come in with one of the parents.
Can my other children visit the baby?
We welcome visits from the baby's siblings - just as long
as they do not have obvious signs of having a cold or other
infectious disease.
In particular, they should not visit if they have had recent
contact with children who have chicken pox (varicella zoster)
or shingles.
If you have any questions or concerns about infections,
please discuss them with the nurse caring for your baby.
I am worried my child will be frightened by the experience...
We know it is good idea for the baby's brothers and sisters
to come and visit their new brother and/or sister. It is
important that they don't feel excluded from what is happening
at this time to help prevent relationship problems developing
in the future.
Children actually tend to 'accept' the machinery and tubing
that we have on the NICU much more easily than adults tend
to.
Very young children will need careful supervision. Short,
frequent visits are usually preferable to a single long
visit - this helps prevent them getting bored and restless.
Can my visitors' children also come to the Unit?
Only the brothers and sisters of the baby (the parents'
children) may visit. This is to minimise the risk of infection
to this group of vulnerable babies.
Can I take photos of my baby?
When the baby is first admitted, a nurse on the Unit will
take a photo and will give you a copy as soon as possible.
You are welcome to bring your own camera to the Unit and
take further photos of your baby, but do not take any pictures
of other babies in the room. The camera flash does not seem
to harm babies but please try to limit its use because preterm
babies need undisturbed sleep to help them grow.
To prevent accidental loss, please take care not to leave
your camera unattended.
What should I wear to visit the Unit?
All visitors entering the Unit must remove their outdoor
clothing (eg coats etc). Because of all the equipment generating
heat, the rooms can get very hot so we advise you to wear
only light clothing.
When your baby is ready to be handled outside the incubator,
we encourage both parents to hold the baby skin-to-skin
on their chest. This is good for both of you. Mothers can
usually start to breast feed at this time. Both of you will
find it easier if you wear a shirt (or top) that opens down
the front to give the baby easy access to your chest skin.
Why do I need to wash my hands?
All visitors to the Unit must wash their hands when they
enter the Unit and when they leave. This is because our
babies are both vulnerable to infections and are more susceptible
to having major reactions to simple colds than older infants.
Always wash and dry your hands and wrists thoroughly before
touching your baby, and please use the alcohol hand rub.
Before touching your baby, if possible, please remove any
rings and watches that you are wearing. Again, this is to
minimise the risk of carrying infection to the baby.
Can we, as the baby's parents, phone the Unit to ask about
his/her progress?
Parents are given the direct number of Unit (01223 245
853) and may call any time of the day or night. We would
prefer you to give us a call to reassure yourselves than
sit at home worrying.
For practical reasons, we will limit the amount of information
given over the phone, and will only give information over
the phone to a baby's parents.
Can other people phone the Unit?
To limit the disturbance of the staff of the Unit, we ask
that relatives or friends should ask you, as parents, for
current updates.
Depending on the circumstances of the parents, they may
wish a relative or friend to act as their support person.
As long as the parent lets the Unit staff know this and
gives permission, we can share information by phone with
the nominated contact person.
What can I do for my baby during the first days on the
Unit?
During the initial stages of your baby's admission to the
Unit, it is important that you can just be with them as
often as possible. It is good if you can talk to them and
stroke them gently.
When your baby starts to recognise your voice, we know
they become reassured. You should, however, balance this
with your own need for sufficient rest and sleep.
If the baby's mother has chosen to breast feed, she can
start to express her milk, which we can store until the
baby can tolerate milk feeds. Our staff will help and advise
you with this.
What can I do for my baby in the Unit later on?
As your baby begins to get stronger and healthier, you
will be encouraged to take an increasing part in your baby's
care; this can help you gain confidence before you return
home as a family.
I am worried that my baby is very fragile, and that I
might do something wrong?
Please be reassured that our experienced nurses will be
on hand in the Unit to help you. They will show you how
to take care of your baby. Many of our babies' parents are
anxious at first but all of them become very good at caring
for even the tiniest babies.
When can I cuddle my baby?
Cuddles are very important for both you, the parents, and
your baby. As soon as the baby's condition is stable enough
to allow him/her to be taken out of the incubator, you will
be encouraged to come to the Unit at regular intervals and
cuddle your baby.
Can I bring anything into the Unit for my baby?
Parents and visitors usually want to personalise their
baby's incubator. This is fine as long as you bear this
in mind:
-
The Unit is very busy and doesn't have a lot of space;
-
Please bring in only small things.
-
If you have a lot of things, please bring them in one
or two at a time.
-
If there are lots of toys in the incubator, they might
get lost or dropped.
-
If you have a lot at home, rotate your selection of toys.
-
Sick babies on the Unit are vulnerable to infections,
which might be carried in on soft toys. If you want to
bring in a soft toy, please make sure it is either new
or recently washed. The nurses will spray it with an antiseptic
spray before putting it in the baby's cot or incubator.
You will find that the nurses are often grateful for soft
toys because they can help support the baby's tubing or
pacifiers ('dummy').
-
Often the baby's brothers or sisters like to draw a picture
for the baby. It is fine to attach small pictures to the
side of the incubator.
Can I bring in clothes for my baby?
Most babies that are admitted to the NICU are initially
unwell. At this time, they are best cared for in their incubator
unclothed, which helps us to observe their progress closely.
Once your baby is getting stronger, we can start to clothe
him/her. Some parents like to bring in their own baby clothes,
which is fine but there is no need to do this because we
have some baby clothes on the Unit, which we launder for
you. If you bring your own baby clothes, it is safest to
prevent losses by taking them home to launder - please also
mark them in some way so that they can be identified.
I need to travel to the Unit every day, how can I reduce
the parking costs?
The hospital has very limited parking facilities for all
its patients, visitors and staff. For this reason, we encourage
anyone who is able to use public transport (for example
the two Park and Ride sites at Trumpington or Babraham Road).
This helps us save spaces for those who need parking the
most.
For those who are very 'regular visitors', you can purchase
a 'frequent user' pass from the main reception desks (Rosie
Hospital or Addenbrooke's), which can also reduce your parking
costs. Further details can be obtained from the Access Helpline
Tel: 01223 886 655.
When can I bring my baby home?
All parents are anxious naturally to get their baby home
as soon as possible. We do, however, need to balance this
with the best interest of the baby from a medical point
of view.
If your baby was born early but is otherwise healthy,
usually, they can go home at about the time that they would
have been 'term' (ie the due date). This can, however, vary
depending on the baby's strength and growth.
If you would like to know more about your baby's condition
and when they might be ready to return home, please ask
your nurse or doctor who is caring for your baby on the
Unit.
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