Your NICU Stay
The NICU does not have visiting hours.
We encourage you to spend as much time with your baby as you can. No matter the time you visit, it is important to maintaining a quiet, restful environment so that your baby and those around him can heal and grow. We do have visitor guidelines on the number of outside visitors that can visit your baby.
Every once in a while a baby in the NICU may require a bedside procedure such as surgery that requires us to close a pod to parents and visitors. This is done so that we can keep the area sterile. Many times these procedures are done with little notice, but you will be notified as soon as possible. If you are in the pod when it needs to be closed, you may be asked to wait in the Family Care Center until it is re-opened.
You and your baby’s nurse will work together to decide what activities your baby can tolerate during your visit. Some of the first things you may be able to do are taking his temperature and changing his diaper. Another way you can provide care is to be a second pair of hands during his care times. Supporting your baby in a tucked and rounded posture during care provides a sense of containment that is comforting and familiar.
Quiet Time
Quiet Time -- dedicated to parent and baby bonding -- is from 12 to 2 p.m. During this time only parents are allowed in the unit. We will try to make sure all non-emergency procedures, tests and examinations are scheduled outside of this special time.
Staying Overnight
Not all patient bed spaces are equipped to allow parents to stay overnight. If your baby is staying in E, F, or G pods, you can sleep in the bed in the room. If you are staying for an extended time, we have a shower room for parents located off the hall leading to E, F, and G pod. Bathrooms are located throughout the NICU: one on the south side by D pod and two outside of the E and F pods.
If your baby is not staying in E, F, or G pod and your baby’s needs require you to stay overnight, there are a group of rooms called “Nesting Rooms” that you can stay in. These rooms are limited.
