Advanced care for your newborn, support for the whole family
If your baby is born prematurely or with a serious medical condition, the Level IV NICU at Mary Bridge Children’s provides the continuous monitoring and advanced care your newborn needs.
We know that having a baby in the NICU can be a stressful time for families. Our team supports you by answering your questions, connecting you with other families and providing resources as needed.
NICU Tour
Frequently asked questions about the NICU
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Will my baby’s bed space change during their stay?
The NICU consists of two levels of care. Your baby’s initial stay may be in the Level IV Neonatal ICU located on the third floor of the Rainier Pavilion. This is a specialized area, with 51 private rooms (which includes 1 twin room), for ill or premature newborns and babies requiring critical care.
When your baby becomes stable and no longer requires intensive care, we may transfer them to the Level II care nursery, also called the Intermediate Care Nursery (ICN). There are 18 bed spaces in the ICN. Your baby may also get transferred to other departments in Mary Bridge during their hospital stay.
If we need to move your baby, we make every effort to communicate this change with you beforehand.
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When can I hold my baby?
You can hold your baby as soon as they are stable. Every baby is different; it may take as little as a few hours or as long as several days or weeks for them to become medically stable.
We encourage skin-to-skin care, also known as kangaroo care, when your baby is medically stable. It is a baby’s right to receive skin-to-skin care once they are eligible! Your care team will discuss how your baby’s medical status affects your ability to hold them.
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Can babies in the NICU receive skin-to-skin care?
Skin-to-skin care is a way to hold your baby against your bare chest that promotes skin-to-skin contact. This approach to holding your baby has many benefits, from supporting their health and well-being to lowering your stress level and improving milk production.
Most babies who are medically stable can receive skin-to-skin care. Since your baby will be held skin-to-skin, it is helpful to wear a shirt that buttons down the front. Parents of any gender can participate in skin-to-skin care. Please speak to your nurse for details.
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When will my baby go home?
Our care teams will communicate with you throughout your baby’s stay in the NICU, keeping you informed on an estimated discharge date. To ensure a safe discharge home, babies must meet certain criteria, including:
- Taking full feedings by breast or bottle and gaining weight
- Maintaining their own temperature
- Not experiencing any apnea (breathing disruptions) or bradycardia (slow heart rate) episodes that require intervention for at least five days to seven days.
As your baby gets closer to their discharge date, our care team will walk you through a checklist to ensure you have all the skills you need to take care of your baby at home.
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When will my baby eat?
There are several factors that determine when your baby will be ready to feed, including their age and size. Most babies will start with very small feedings (trophic feedings). This usually begins within the first several days of life, depending on your baby’s health status.
Feedings will be slowly increased as your baby can tolerate them. The ability to coordinate the actions associated with feeding — sucking, swallowing, and breathing — that may start as early as 32 weeks gestation. At this time, babies may be able to start breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Remember that eating requires extra energy from your baby. Sometimes it can be a slow process that requires patience and time.
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Do you encourage breastfeeding?
We are here to support you during your breastfeeding journey. Our lactation nurses are available to help throughout your baby’s stay. The lactation nurse will meet with you in the first few days after the birth of your baby. Let your baby’s care team know if you would like to see the lactation nurse earlier.
We also have a Mom’s Lactation Support Group available. For more information about the group, contact your care team.
Below are some helpful tips about breastfeeding:
- Begin pumping immediately after your baby is born to make sure you have an adequate milk supply when it’s time to breastfeed.
- Pump seven to eight times a day for 15 minutes on each breast (about every two to three hours).
- Electric pumps are best for milk supply. They can be rented through the Mom and Baby Boutique near the NICU entrance.
- Your baby’s nurse will provide storage cups and labels for your milk.
Care after the NICU
The Mary Bridge Children’s Neonatal Follow-up Clinic provides developmental assessment and care of babies and toddlers who were in the NICU.