Baby in the NICU

The best in neonatal care

Many of the infants in the NICU are born prematurely and need special care while they grow. Others are full-term babies who need medical or surgical treatment. We are here to help you get your baby healthy and back at home with you as quickly as possible.

Parents are encouraged to stay when their baby is in our NICU. We do our best to make it feel like a home-away-from-home and parents have 24/7 access to our locked and secure units. We also realize not every parent is able to visit the NICU daily. Please let us know how we can help you and your family throughout your baby’s stay in the NICU.

Our unit features:

  • Some private rooms where parents can stay and open-bay areas that are used when necessary
  • A parent lounge with fridge, water, coffee and snacks
  • Hospital-grade breast pumps are available

We provide a number of resources to support you as you navigate your NICU journey. Some supports include:

  • NIC-View: These cameras offer a secure and private livestream of your baby for loved ones to access. They are also helpful for parents who are unable to be onsite with their baby.
  • Videos: Visit our YouTube channel for a variety of support videos, including more about our NICU, and caring for your baby.

Parents often ask what they can do to help their baby while they are in the NICU. We offer you the following advice:

Your child’s nurse will help you understand how your baby responds to touch. Some very premature or very sick babies have special needs and do not respond to touch, light or sound the way a healthier, full-term baby would. We offer special care techniques, such as kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) and infant massage, that allow you intimate contact with your baby.

We encourage you to take an active role in your child’s care when he or she is ready, such as taking a temperature, changing diapers or feeding.

Doctors and nurse practitioners contact you every day, either in person or by phone.

While your baby is being cared for in the NICU, our doctors and neonatal nurse practitioners also communicate regularly with your child’s primary care provider.

Providing breast milk is one of the most important things you can do while your baby is in the NICU. Talk to your child’s nurse about our in-hospital lactation support program or ask about other ways we can help.

You will be taking part in decisions about your baby, and you’ll want to be in the best mental and physical condition possible. If you’re a nursing mother, it’s important to get enough rest so that you can produce breast milk for your baby. Your child needs you to be healthy when you take him or her home.

Make sure you and your visitors have no contagious conditions, such as colds, flu or cold sores. All babies in the NICU are at high risk for complications from infection.

Always wash your hands thoroughly when you enter the NICU and before touching your baby. If you change your child’s diapers, wash your hands afterward.

We explain your baby’s condition and what we are doing to help. We encourage you to ask about the medications and treatments your baby is receiving.

Our team is specially trained in caring for children and their families. We do everything we can to make your experience as safe and comfortable as possible.

Our team of experts includes:

  • Neonatologists
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Registered nurses
  • Internationally board-certified lactation specialists (IBCLCs)
  • Case managers
  • Social workers
  • Pediatric subspecialists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Physical therapists
  • Radiology Anesthesiologists
  • March of Dimes liaison
Child running at park with parents

Providence Children's Health of Oregon

A Leader in Caring for Kids – Serving Tens of Thousands of Children in Oregon Each Year.

At Providence Children’s Health, we understand children’s bodies and minds react differently than adults to injury, illness, medications and therapy. Our compassionate teams do everything they can to give your child the best possible experience. We offer everything from routine primary care to emergency and hospital care – for newborns, children and teens.

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Referring Physicians

We value our network of referring physicians and make every effort to partner with providers and tailor treatment for each patient. Learn more about provider resources.