A newborn intensive care unit (NICU) looks after babies who need extra help in their first days or weeks. It can be worrying to see your baby there, but most NICU babies go home healthy.
Why babies are admitted
Common reasons include being born early, low birth weight, breathing difficulty, jaundice that needs treatment, low blood sugar or infection.
What you will see
Babies are kept warm and monitored continuously. Alarms often sound for small changes and do not always mean something is wrong; the nurses will explain.
How you can help
Wash your hands, ask questions, and ask about holding your baby skin-to-skin and feeding with breast milk when it is safe.
Going home
Before discharge you will be shown feeding, warmth and hygiene at home, and given a follow-up date with the paediatrician.
This article is general information and not a substitute for seeing a doctor. In an emergency call +91 94153 32396 — we are open 24 hours.