Upon arriving in the NICU your baby will require immediate attention, so you will be requested to remain in the parent waiting area in order for the NICU team to evaluate the condition of your baby and to commence treatment as soon as possible. Fathers may use this time to be at mum’s side.
• As soon as possible after admission fathers are welcome to visit their baby in our NICU. We encourage you to take photos for Mum and family.
• As soon as mum stable and is able to visit her baby, the Maternity staff may bring her to the NICU - on her bed or wheel chair. We encourage this as soon as possible. Parents are welcome all day EXCEPT 7 am - 10:30am or until doctor rounds are completed. The unit is closed during these times to ensure privacy while information about the care of each baby is being shared.
• Visiting during the day, are as follows: 10:30 up to 18:00 and from 19:15 up to 22:00. Please note there may be times when parents will be requested to remain in the waiting area for e.g. during an admission of a baby or during an invasive procedure (only in emergencies). Your baby’s health is our priority. Please respect the need for a quiet and calm environment due to the fragile nature of sick infants. A maximum of 2 people may be at your child’s bedside at a time.
• Very sick babies do not tolerate a lot of activity; therefore, parent’s quality /bonding time is precious and beneficial. Talk with your baby’s nurse for exceptions to this policy.
• To reduce noise, please turn off all cell phones and pagers while in the NICU. Your time with your baby is best if uninterrupted. If you must place a call, please leave the nursery to do so.

All parents must adhere to the hand washing policy, which is posted in the scrub room. For the safety of all the infants, please do not enter the unit if you feel ill or think you are becoming ill.

The smallest babies do react to procedures they experience. There is no evidence that they remember these procedures but we try to minimize your baby’s discomfort through care in handling and positioning, and sometimes medication. Most of the monitors used are painless to the baby and only involve small sensors being placed on the skin

Bonding doesn’t just occur during the first hours after birth. The attachment that develops between parents and their child begins to form even before the baby is born and continues over time. Premature babies recognize their mothers’ and often their fathers’ voices. They quickly learn to know their parents special touch and scent. Your baby will find your voice soothing and comforting. You can be involved with your baby by calling the NICU often, visiting when you can, and learning about your baby’s care. You are your baby’s parent and your role is as important now as it will be in the future. Spending time with your baby must be balanced with your needs for rest, children at home, and work responsibilities. You can personalize your baby’s bedside by bringing in a family photo and up to 2 small stuffed animals. Please only bring in clean and washable toys. Balloons are not allowed. Blankets to protect your baby from bright lights and loud noises are always welcome and will otherwise be provided by the NICU.

Premature and newborn babies need long periods of uninterrupted rest. You can help your baby grow and recover by letting him sleep between feedings. This can be frustrating for parents who want the baby to be alert during visits. When possible, time your visits so you arrive around your baby’s feeding time. As your baby gets closer to discharge, he or she will be more awake and will enjoy more interaction and activity with you. Until then, follow your baby’s cues for sleep. Premature babies are easily overstimulated due to their immature nervous system. Light tickling touch and stroking is often overstimulating. It is important to learn your baby’s cues. Your baby’s body language can tell you a lot about how he or she is feeling. A good way you can touch your baby is containment holding, which is one hand on the head and one holding the legs bent gently. This gives your baby boundaries and the feeling of being back in the womb. It is important to protect your baby from excess light and sound. Covering your baby’s incubator with a quilt can help. Treat your baby’s space in the NICU as you would your baby’s room at home. Speak quietly at the bedside and conduct visits with friends and family in the cafeteria or lounge area. Heavily scented perfumes and lotions can be overstimulating.

We encourage all mothers to breastfeed their babies. Breast milk is more easily digested. Until your baby is ready to be breastfed,, you will need to pump and bring your milk to the nursery. Expressing your milk should begin in the first 24 hours. A lactation specialist is available should you require assistance with breastfeeding. Extra milk may be kept in our freezer. If you will be visiting for longer periods of time, be sure to bring your breast pump and express milk at babies’ bedside as the contact with your baby assists with the letdown reflex of your milk. When it is time to begin breastfeeding your baby, your baby’s nurse can help or you can make an appointment with a certified lactation consultant available in the hospital. We also support mums who are unable to breast feed for various reasons in the use of formula and there are several formulas available. Your Neonatologist / Paediatrician will decide which formula to use during the babies’ stay in the NICU.

• Fresh breast milk is best for your baby. It should be used within 24 hours of pumping. If the milk can’t be used within 24 hours, you or your nurse should freeze it to preserve the milk for later use.
• Breast milk can only be thawed once and again it must be used within 24 hours.
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after pumping.
• Always label the breast milk container with a hospital label and the date and time you pumped the milk. We supply the breast milk containers and labels. Ask your nurse when you need more supplies.
• Make sure all parts of your pump that come in contact with breast milk are cleaned with warm soapy water after each use.
• Transport breast milk from home in a cooler or insulated bag to keep it frozen.
• Please bring breast milk to your baby’s bedside rather than leaving it at the nurse’s station.
• If you will need to pump at the hospital, please bring your breast pump from home.
• Baby will be needing the following for his/her stay in the NICU: a small pacifier, 5 bottles (in order to store your expressed breast milk).

Planning for your baby’s discharge begins early. We want to help you feel comfortable caring for your baby. As your baby’s condition stabilises, we will begin to discuss what you will need to learn in order to care for your baby at home. We will help you learn both routine baby care as well as any specialised care your infant may need. Most parents are eager for an exact homecoming date. Unfortunately, each baby progresses at his or her own rate and it is difficult to predict a discharge date. Babies need to be growing well, taking adequate nourishment and maintaining their body temperature. If your baby needs any specialised care, it is important that you feel capable and confident in these skills. Before discharge, a care conference can be requested to help you plan for your baby’s homecoming. In your baby’s bedside chart there is a discharge teaching flow sheet. This will give you an idea of what you and your baby need to do to be prepared for discharge