NICU Guidebook: 7 Important Things Parents Must Know Before Visiting Their Preterm Baby

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From basic monitoring to advanced life support and even surgical interventions, NICU is designed for babies get to have the best possible health outcomes.

Neonatal intensive care unit: It can be heartbreaking for parents to watch their newborn baby stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which is a specialised unit providing healthcare for babies born prematurely, or those who have some serious medical conditions before, during or after birth. Dr Jesal Sheth, a senior consultant — paediatrics and neonatal intensivist — at Fortis Hospital Mulund says NICU provides attention to premature babies, low birth weight infants, those with congenital anomalies, babies with respiratory distress syndrome, infections, metabolic disorders, and other critical conditions. There are various levels of care: from basic monitoring to advanced life support and surgical interventions that ensure that babies get to have the best possible health outcomes.

A Well-Equipped NICU

The doctor adds that a well-equipped NICU with state-of-the-art medical devices can enable prompt diagnosis and treatment of neonatal conditions. It can reduce the risk of complications, too. There also needs to be a team of highly-trained healthcare professionals, including neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and neonatal nurse practitioners providing specialised care to babies.

Health And Hygiene

And, since premature and even term babies are not born with full immunity, they will need a clean and sterile environment in the NICU.

Family Support

According to Dr Sheth, NICUs must also prioritise ‘family-centred care’ that can foster parental involvement in the care and recovery of babies. It can promote bonding, lactation and breastfeeding, and parent-infant attachment, and positively-impact neonatal outcomes.

What Should Parents Know Before Visiting Their Baby In The NICU?

According to the doctor, parents should be aware of seven important points:

They must become familiar with NICU’s policies like visiting hours, entry requirements, other specific rules or protocols like hand hygiene, restrictions on personal belongings, etc.
They should be aware of their own health issues, if they are experiencing symptoms of illness, flu, infection, etc. In such a case, they may need to postpone their visit.
Visiting babies in the NICU can be emotionally challenging, so parents should mentally prepare themselves and seek support from healthcare providers, family members, or support groups.
Obtain permission from NICU staff before entering the unit and communicate openly with healthcare providers about the baby’s condition, treatment plan, and other concerns.
Adhere to strict hand hygiene practices, including washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using hand sanitizer before and after visiting the NICU.
Respect the privacy and confidentiality of other families in the NICU.
Build a support network of family and friends who can offer emotional support and assist with daily chores during this challenging time.