Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a state-of-the-art, Level IV, 43-bed unit. More than 700 infants with various health problems are cared for in this unit each year.

When a baby's condition improves, they may be transferred to the Newborn Progressive Care Unit in preparation for going home. This 16-bed unit allows families more privacy while still having access to NICU level care.

Video: Sam's NICU story

Learn more about why you should choose the NICU at Children's Hospital to care for your fragile newborn.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff includes:

• Neonatologists - doctors who specialize in the care of critically ill infants and are trained to treat a wide variety of health problems.
• Neonatal fellows - doctors in training in the specialty of neonatology.
• Neonatal nurse practitioner - an advanced practice nurse with specialized education in planning and coordinating the care of critically ill infants.
• Clinical nurse specialist - an advanced practice nurse focused on teaching, best nursing practices and conducting research.
• Residents - doctors who are in training to be pediatricians.
• Neonatal registered nurses - nurses who have had training in the care of critically ill infants and their families.
• Respiratory care practitioners - health care professionals with special training in the care of critically ill infants.

Services available to support you:

• Lactation consultants are available to answer questions and assist mothers in breastfeeding their infants.
• Speech and feeding teams help infants learn to suck and eat properly.
• Occupational and physical therapists are available to assist in the growth and development of infants.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation trainers are available to teach CPR before parents take their infant home.
• A Neonatal Follow-up Program tracks the growth and development of infants after they leave the hospital.
• Social workers are available to assist with general or financial concerns.
• Children's Transport team members make up a specialized medical team that brings babies from other medical centers to Children's Hospital.
• Fetal Concerns Center of Wisconsin to coordinate all the care a pregnant mother needs if she or her infant are at high risk or have a known problem.

Our NICU features:

• Private newborn bed spaces.
• Bed spaces specially designed to care for infants from admission to discharge.
• Special pods for twins and triplets to allow families to stay together during care.
• Ability to perform certain procedures at the patient's bedside.
• Rooms that allow parents to practice caring for their baby before he or she goes home.
• Family computer and kitchen area.
• Breast pumping rooms for privacy.
• Specialized freezers for breast milk storage.
• In-unit pharmacy with staff that is specially trained in the unique needs of NICU babies.

Visiting your baby

We recognize the importance of the entire family in caring for a sick baby. We encourage hands-on participation and input in creating a plan of care. Parents and grandparents may visit 24 hours a day. Please ask your baby's nurse about our visitation guidelines.