Information for Families

Our NICU team members work together to provide quality intensive care services. We are dedicated to providing a safe and caring environment for your baby, while respecting your needs as a family.

Parenting in the NICU

Parents are not considered visitors in our NICU, and are encouraged to visit their baby often. We encourage frequent visitation with parents to aid in the bonding process.

Family Time

To see current visitation guidelines for our facilities, including NICU, CLICK HERE.

Parents are welcome to be with their infant at all times. For added security, the doors providing access to the nursery are locked at all times. Should parents need access, they must ring the bell for an employee. The only time we ask parents not to visit is during the shift change from 6:30-7:30 a.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Please note that the main entrance of the medical center closes at 9 p.m. nightly. Visitors may exit through the main entrance at any time.

Family Safety

For the safety and well being of your baby, visitors may be required to show identification at any time. Valid identification includes parent/baby bracelets and/or any picture identification.

Family Privacy

To provide privacy to all babies and families in the unit, we ask that you and your visitors remain at your own baby’s bedside. You may only take photos or video of your own baby.

Obtaining Information About Your Baby

Do not hesitate to ask your baby's doctor, nurse practitioner or nurse any questions you may have about your baby's condition. To avoid delays, it is best not to call around change of shift (6:30-7:30 a.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m.) 

The NICU staff is instructed to give specific information to parents. Please inform other friends and relatives that they will not be given information over the phone about your baby's condition.

Screening for Infection

Approved visitors to the NICU must be free of illness (respiratory symptoms, cough, rash, diarrhea, sore throat, vomiting).

Hand Hygiene in the NICU

Because babies in the NICU are more susceptible to hospital-acquired infection, it is important to clean (disinfect) your hands prior to touching your baby. If you touch equipment in the NICU or change the baby’s diaper, you should disinfect your hands again before touching the baby.  The staff will provide instruction on the most effective hand sanitation techniques.

Support Services

We realize that having your baby admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is an unexpected and stressful event. A full-time social worker is available to provide support and counseling. The social worker can also assist you with discharge planning and help you obtain appropriate community services.

Kangaroo Care is a special program to initiate parent/child bonding. In this program, parents are encouraged to hold their babies skin to skin. Studies have shown that holding babies skin to skin helps stabilize temperatures, improves oxygen flow to the body, helps mom's breast milk production and promotes parent/child bonding.

Lactation consultants will work closely with our NICU mothers as necessary.