Visitation Policies

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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.).

Only two people may visit the baby at one time. An exception to this is made if the baby’s siblings visit. In this case, the sibling may visit with both parents.  Please read the sibling visitation guidelines before bringing your other children to visit the new baby for the first time. As with all visitors, the siblings must be free of illness. 

Parents will fill out a visitor list card, which is placed at the bedside. In addition to phone contact info for the parents, the card contains the following visitation information:

• A list of four family members/friends who you allow to visit your baby without you. Any other visitors must be accompanied by one of the baby’s parents.
• Add an asterisk beside two adults who are able to receive phone updates – usually, these are the parents.

Please do not visit if you have a temperature over 100.5 degrees or have a cough, runny nose, cold sore, vomiting, or diarrhea. 

Sibling Visitation Guidelines

• Siblings are allowed to visit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Any visitor should be free from any signs of illness or exposure to disease (e.g., fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, chicken pox, respiratory diseases, etc.). A health screening may need to be completed.
• All visitors, including siblings, MUST follow the hand washing/hygiene guidelines located in each pod.
• No food or drink is allowed in baby’s room. Please take your child to the NICU Parent Lounge to have meals. Please note, the Lactation Box is only available to nursing mothers.
• Siblings must be always supervised by an adult. Our staff is unable to hold or care for the sibling, even for a brief amount of time.
• Bring quiet activities for the sibling to use at the bedside. Our goal is to provide a calm, quiet environment for your baby.
• Siblings should NOT sit on the floor, touch medical equipment, or create distractions in baby’s room or on the UNIT (e.g., running, talking loudly, walking outside of the room).
• Please do NOT change sibling’s diaper in baby’s room.
• For the safety of your baby and other patients, at times, siblings may be asked to leave or not visit—disruptive behavior will NOT be tolerated.

In order to provide the best environment for our patients, their families, and staff, these guidelines are subject to change, at the discretion of the NICU administration. Please speak to your NICU support coordinator for the most up-to-date information.