Spending Time with Your Baby
Parents are encouraged to spend as much time with their baby as possible, and we do have 24-hour visitation. However, for the protection of your baby, the NICU is a locked unit. When you arrive, the receptionist will call your baby’s nurse to be sure you can come to the bedside. Occasionally, you may have to wait if there is procedure occurring in the pod, or during shift change (6:30-7 a.m. and p.m.).
Your baby's room
We are pleased to offer single and double patient rooms in the CHKD NICU. The privacy offered in this setting will give you the chance to get to know your baby, bond with them, and when the time comes, breastfeed or hold your baby skin-to-skin. Your medical team will be nearby at all times.
Each family has access to a small storage closet in the room, a breast pump (that must remain at the bedside), a reclining chair to hold your baby comfortably, and either a chair or sofa that can be converted into a single bed.
Each room also contains a dry-erase board, where members of the care team will write their names every day, along with your baby’s short-term and long-term medical plans. You are encouraged to leave notes for the care team with questions and observations, when you plan to visit, and your goals for your baby.
You are welcome to charge your cell phone using plugs on the family’s side of the room, but we ask that you please do not use any plugs that may be needed for medical equipment or patient care items.
Spending the night in the NICU
We realize how hard it is for you to leave the hospital without your newborn, so we do allow one parent to spend the night with their baby. Each patient room contains a chair or sofa that can be converted into a bed; however, the rooms do not have attached showers or restrooms.
Please let your baby’s nurse know if you would like to spend the night, and he or she can help make those arrangements. We will provide linens for the bed, and you may want to bring some of the following items for your comfort:
- Personal medications
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- A pillow
- A change of clothes
- Comfortable lounge wear for sleeping
- An iPad or tablet, if desired, as the rooms do not have TVs
- Chargers for any electronics you bring
- Reading materials
Cell Phones
- All visitors, including parents, must put their phone in a plastic bag as they enter the NICU to help prevent the spread of germs.
- Please do not touch or hold your phone when you are holding your baby. Your baby's nurse would be happy to take a photo if you wish. Your baby deserves 100% of your attention while you are holding them, and it is important to use both hands to support them while holding.
- Please do not place your phone on any equipment or in your baby's isolette. You may charge your phone in the family area of your baby's room or in the family lounge.
- Text rather than talk. If you must talk, please do so quietly or take the call in the family lounge.
- Set your cell phone on vibrate or a soft tone so as not to disturb your baby or the other patients and families.
- Use hand sanitizer often when using your phone.
- In order to safeguard the privacy of families, visitors, and members of the healthcare team, we ask that you do not photograph or record any other babies, families, or staff without their permission.
Rounds and other privacy notes
- Medical rounds take place every morning between 9 a.m. and noon. Parents are encouraged to attend and participate. This is an opportunity to get to know the medical team and ask questions to learn more about the plan of care for your baby.
- During rounds and shift report, you may hear information concerning other patients and families. We ask that you keep this information to yourself. As medical professionals, we are held to a standard that respects the rights and privacy of each patient. As partners of our medical team, we hold you to the same standard.
-
A family lounge and seating areas are available if you would like to step away from your baby’s bedside. The family lounge is located straight across from the elevators just inside the double doors directly behind the reception desk. You can use the refrigerator and microwave, take a break and watch TV, or spend time on the computers. The lounge is also where all NICU classes and support groups meet. There are seating areas in the back of each pod and between pods 1 and 2 and pods 5 and 6. For privacy reasons and to protect your baby from germs, we ask that parents gather in these designated areas and refrain from standing outside or entering other patient rooms.
Shift Change
-
From 6:30 - 7 a.m. and p.m., your nurse will be giving a report on your baby to the nurse coming on duty. You may see your baby during this time, but we ask that you arrive before 6:30.
-
If you are visiting your baby during shift change, please keep in mind that important information is exchanged during this time and interruptions can be distracting. Please refrain from asking questions until the report is completed.
-
Outside phone calls will not be connected to the pods until after 7:00.
Calling the NICU
- We encourage parents to call for updates on their baby if they are not able to visit or attend medical rounds. At admission, parents will receive a pass code which you will need to use to receive any information by phone. This pass code protects your baby’s private medical information, so please do not share it with anyone.
- Although we welcome parent phone calls, there are several times of day when your baby’s nurse may not be able to come to the phone. NICU nurses cluster the care of their patients so babies can rest as much as possible because sleep will help your baby grow. This clustered care is called “Hands On Care”, and it is generally scheduled for 2, 5, 8, and 11 a.m. and p.m. If your baby’s nurse is at a bedside around this time, they may not be able to answer the phone. Hands-on care times may vary, so be sure to ask your baby's nurse for their schedule.
- Calls will not be put through to the pods during shift change (6:30-7:00 a.m. and p.m.).
- If, because of your work schedule or other reasons, you need to call regularly during these times, please speak with your social worker, and they can help develop a plan so you are able to receive the information you need.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.
Reviewed on: 6/2024