Neonatal admission: What to expect for your baby

Expert voice - Prof. Helmut Hummler — ©Neopedia

Support for you and your family

Healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and specialists, will care for your baby. Staff will vary by shift and unit type and may include specialists like physiotherapists⍰, occupational therapists⍰, pharmacists⍰, or dietitians⍰. Read more about the neonatal unit staff.
Emotional support might include access to counsellors, spiritual leaders, or peer-support groups for parents. Reach out to your local parent organisation or ask your healthcare team what is available for you.
Practical support may be available. Ask the staff on the unit for assistance you might need, like housing, transportation, parking, and more. Read on to find information about how to prepare for a possible admission to a neonatal unit.

Arrival at the neonatal unit

A nurse or staff member might show you around, and explain the unit’s routines, and introduce you to essential protocols, which will vary depending on where you are.
Hygiene is crucial; everyone entering the unit must wash hands and/or use sanitiser, most likely with a “bare arm policy” in place, meaning no clothing or jewellery below the elbow before touching a baby. These measures are in place to protect your baby’s health and prevent potential infections.
The team will update you on your baby’s care initially and at regular intervals.
Staff works in shifts, and there are daily rounds where you can discuss your baby’s care plan with the team. Feel free to take notes and ask for clarifications if you need them. Being present during rounds can help you feel more involved and informed.

Your involvement at the unit

Your involvement in your baby’s care is very important, and the staff are there to help you to be as involved as possible. Being part of your baby’s care makes a big difference both for you and your baby. You can bond through skin-to-skin contact, feeding, washing, or simply being close. If you cannot hold your baby yet, talking, singing, reading, holding their hand, or leaving something with your scent can still bring them comfort and support them in their development. Even when physical contact is not yet possible, your voice and presence are very soothing for your baby.

Read more about Family Integrated Care at the neonatal unit.

Admission of preterm babies

Preterm babies are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy and depending on how well they are doing and how early they are born, they might need medical attention in a neonatal unit.

For more information about preterm birth, read on to learn more about risk factors, causes, and signs.

Admission of full-term babies

Full term or term birth means that a baby is born at or after 37 weeks.

Neonatal units care for many medical conditions of full term born babies, including issues found before or at birth.

These can be:

Genetic or inherited conditions which may affect the baby’s wellbeing early after birth
Congenital⍰ conditions where the baby’s development in the womb happens differently than usual (malformations)
Other health complications like feeding problems, low blood sugar, low body temperature, jaundice⍰, asphyxia⍰, and sepsis⍰

The staff will explain your baby’s condition, and you can always ask them if you have questions. Your involvement and advocacy for your baby are essential parts of their care.

Find more information about complications treated in a neonatal unit for both preterm and full-term babies.

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