The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
NICUs provide specialized care for the tiniest patients. NICUs may also have intermediate or continuing care areas for babies who are not as sick but do need specialized nursing care.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis in the Newborn
in Health Library, Oh, Baby!, ResourcesNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the large intestine (colon) gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and sometimes kills the tissue in your baby’s colon.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
in Health Library, Oh, Baby!, ResourcesNeonatal abstinence syndrome is what happens when babies are exposed to drugs in the uterus before birth. Babies can then go through drug withdrawal after birth.
Breastfeeding Your High-Risk Baby
in Health Library, In Full Stride, ResourcesLearning to breastfeed effectively is a process that may take days or weeks for premature and many other high-risk babies. But you and your baby can become a breastfeeding team if you are patient and persistent.
Breastmilk: Pumping, Collecting, Storing
in Health Library, In Full Stride, Resources“Fresh breastmilk” contains the most active anti-infective properties. Refrigerated breastmilk has fewer anti-infective properties than fresh milk and frozen breastmilk has the least.
Meconium Aspiration
in Health Library, Oh, Baby!, ResourcesMeconium aspiration happens when a newborn breathes in a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds the baby in the womb. Meconium is the baby’s first stool, or poop, which is sticky, thick, and dark green. It is typically passed in the womb during early pregnancy and again in the first few days after birth.