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Welcome to the NICU
Learning About the Staff in the NICU
What can you expect?
Your baby will always be in good hands. The care team members may change often, but they will always get updated on your baby and be prepared to care for their needs.
The care team will meet daily to make a care plan during a session called rounds. There is no set time or schedule for each baby, but your baby will be seen during rounds every day. You are encouraged and welcome to participate in rounds.
What is Baby Steps?
Your baby has come home from the NICU! What’s next?
Babies born early or with various health problems often spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Many of these babies need special monitoring and care after they leave the NICU.
The Baby Steps clinic at ChristianaCare provides specialized care focused on health and development needs for babies after they leave the NICU.
This program does not replace a child’s pediatrician or well-child check-ups. It is an additional resource for your newborn after they “graduate” from the NICU. Some of the same doctors who cared for your child in the NICU provide care at the Baby Steps clinic.
During an appointment, your baby’s care team will:
- Check your child’s overall health.
- Answer any questions you may have about your child’s behavior, development, and health.
- Share other resources to help your child’s development, if needed.
- Review results and recommendations to help you best support your child’s development at home.
Our expert care team will help you to set up your child’s first appointment before you take your baby home. Your child’s first visit to the Baby Steps clinic should be within 2 to 3 months of discharge from the NICU. Based on your child’s needs and progress, you can expect a visit every 3 to 4 months until one year of age.
Learning About Tests in the NICU
What tests might your child have?
It may seem that your baby is getting lots of tests. All these tests help your doctor keep track of your baby's condition and give the best treatment possible. Some tests are done only once. Others may be done more often to give the doctor up-to-the-minute information. Imaging and blood tests are two of the most common types of tests done in the NICU. Which tests your baby gets will depend on your baby's condition.
Small blood samples may be taken from a quick prick of your baby's heel. Bigger samples may come from a blood vessel. The list below is a sample of the more common blood tests.
Learning About Equipment in the NICU
A ventilator is a machine that breathes for your baby while the lungs are growing or healing. It sends oxygen or air into the lungs through a thin tube. The tube is placed in the mouth.
A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be used when a ventilator isn't needed. It gently pushes oxygen or air into the lungs through a mask over the baby's nose. The baby can breathe on his or her own with this extra help.
A nasal cannula or a high flow nasal cannula is a thin tube with two prongs that are placed in the nostrils when the baby just needs more oxygen. The oxygen goes through the openings in the prongs and into the baby's nostrils.
A medicine pump is a machine that delivers exactly the right amounts of medicines at the right times through an IV site, central line, or umbilical venous catheter.
An intravenous (IV) site gives access to a vein. It may be placed in the back of the hand, foot, arm, leg, or scalp. One end of a tube is attached to the site. The other end may be attached to a medicine pump. It can also be used to take samples of blood for testing.
A PICC (peripheral inserted central catheter), or central line, is a long, thin tube that can be placed in an IV site. It is threaded through a vein until it reaches a larger vein near the heart. It can stay in place longer than an IV and can deliver fluids or medicines quickly if needed.
An umbilical catheter or arterial catheter is a thin, flexible tube. It's inserted into a blood vessel in the belly button (umbilicus). The tube may be attached to a medicine pump.
An inflatable cuff on the arm or leg takes the baby's blood pressure.
A temperature probe attached to the baby's skin keeps track of your baby's temperature. It can be used to adjust the heat in the isolette or an overhead heater.
The heart monitor has a sensor attached to the chest. It tracks breathing and heart rate.
A pulse oximeter wraps around the baby's hand or foot. It measures how much oxygen is in the blood.
Our camera gives you the ability to watch your baby when you are not here. Your baby will have a unique username and password, so you have control over who can see your baby. We try to keep the camera on as much as possible, but they are turned off any time a care team member is directly caring for your baby.
Learning about Kangaroo Care in the NICU
Kangaroo care is a special way to hold your baby by holding the baby skin-to-skin on your chest. Your baby is placed directly on your bare chest while wearing only a diaper. You then cover your baby’s back with a blanket or your own clothing. This creates a snuggly pouch for your baby like how a kangaroo mom holds her baby in her pouch.
Moms and dads can do kangaroo care. In fact, anyone can hold an infant this way. You can start in the hospital and keep doing it when you are home.
Check with the care team about when and how to hold your baby. Depending on your child's condition, you may need to wait. But skin-to-skin holding can be good for babies who are sick or underweight. Even if your baby is attached to feeding and breathing machines, you may be able to do kangaroo care.
The care team knows that you want to hold your baby as soon as possible. They will help make this happen and decide when your baby is ready. Our goal is to help you hold your baby as soon as possible.
Kangaroo care is one of the best ways you can help your baby grow stronger and healthier while in the NICU. It can be helpful for parents by increasing milk flow for breast feeding parents and decreasing stress.
Learn About Feeding your Baby in the NICU
Sick and very premature infants may need help with feeding. They may be too weak or small to suck on a breast or bottle. Maybe their bodies aren't ready to digest breast milk or formula. This can be frustrating and scary for parents. Taking care of your baby is something you want and expect to do. The care team will involve you in your baby's care as much as possible. Know that your baby is getting the nourishment he or she needs to grow.
Stored breast milk is the next best thing to fresh breast milk as a complete and nutritious food source for your baby. When your baby is in the NICU, storing your breastmilk will be different than at home. Milk should be refrigerated within an hour if not being used right away. Use this chart as a guide for storing your milk while your baby is in the NICU:
How Will You Know When Your Baby is Ready to Go Home?
The care team will make sure that you know everything you need to know to safely go home.
Before you and your baby go home, you'll meet with a member of the care team. You'll discuss a medical care plan. The plan will include checkups, specialist care, and ongoing tests. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have.
Learning About Caring for Your Baby at Home
Your baby may have extra medical concerns, but his or her basic needs are the same as those of any newborn baby. You can use your Care of You and Your Baby book for information on how to provide basic care like bathing, diapering, safe sleep and more.
Remember, storing breast milk for your baby at home will be different than while they were in the NICU. Follow this chart to learn how to store your breast milk safely after your baby comes home.
The change from being a parent in the NICU to being a parent at home can be stressful. It's helpful to be open and honest and to talk about your daily challenges as well as your joys. Sometimes the best support comes from people who are facing the same things that you are. Consider joining a support group to talk to other parents. Remember that your baby’s doctor is just a phone call away if you have questions or a problem.
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Useful Links
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Infant Feeding Guide -
Your Baby and Breastfeeding -
Difficulty with Latching On or Sucking -
Breastfeeding Supplies