Neonatal Nursery FAQs for Levine Children’s Hospital

The Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery and Neonatal Progressive Care Nursery is located on the 7th floor of Levine Children's Hospital.

Our team will walk you through the process for entering the neonatal nursery and visiting your baby. Obtain your Levine Children's Hospital badge in the lobby. Upon your arrival to the nursery you will fill out a screening tool, wash your hands using our specialized hand-washing machines and put on a gown before entering the nursery to protect your baby from germs.

It is a good idea to ask for baby by mom's last name rather than by first name only or bed space number since your baby's bed location may change several times during his or her hospital stay. The nursery waiting area is located just outside the nursery to provide a place where family members can rest.

We encourage you to spend as much time with your baby as you can. See our visitor policies and guidelines.

We encourage you to call 704-381-7900 (for the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery) or 704-381-7100 (for the Neonatal Progressive Care Nursery) to get updates from your baby's nurse each day if you are unable to visit in person. If you want more information, the best time to speak to your baby's primary medical team is during the day.

We have a full specialized team dedicated to your baby's care. Learn more about our neonatal care team.

We have many monitors and machines to help your baby get better. The monitors give the team information about your baby's heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Your baby may be on a special bed called a radiant warmer or in an isolette to help keep your baby warm without being wrapped in a blanket. This allows the staff to easily see and access your baby to provide care.

Many babies require help breathing and may have a small tube inserted into the windpipe and connected to a ventilator or breathing machine. Other babies get oxygen in a special hood, in their nose or through a special device to help with breathing.

Most babies are not able to eat immediately after admission and will receive nutrition through a tube in the vein. This tube or IV is also a way for your baby to get medications or blood products.

We encourage you to focus on your baby, and not the monitors and machines. Each baby's care is individualized and will be explained to you when you visit the nursery.

We recognize that you and your family are the most important people in your baby's life. That is why we want you, the parents, to be with your baby and be involved in the care of your baby as much as you can. Our goal is for you to become the primary caregivers while we support you. We value your input and suggestions.

Infants who are very sick or premature are very sensitive to stimulation and are unable to cope with noise and handling. Your nurse will help show you comforting tips which allow you to interact with your baby. This will allow your baby to rest and heal while you and your baby bond.

We encourage you to breastfeed your baby while they are in the neonatal nursery. Your milk is the perfect food for your newborn, full of important nutrients that help them grow and germ-fighting proteins that protect them from infection.

You may need to pump your breast milk while your baby stays in the nursery. Your nurse and lactation consultant can help you learn to pump your milk and determine the best way to feed your baby.

We have a lactation room with hospital-grade pumps available for you to pump during your visit with your baby.

Feel free to bring receiving blankets for your baby to lay on or larger blankets to cover your baby's isolette.

Unfortunately, balloons and flowers are not allowed in the neonatal nursery. Stuffed animals are allowed at the baby's bedside; however, they are not allowed inside the baby's bed for infection control reasons. Once your baby is able to wear clothes, feel free to bring in a few outfits to keep at the bedside. We recommend that you label all items with your baby's name. Do not bring all white blankets or clothes, because hospital blankets and T-shirts are also all white, and we do not want your items to be placed into the hospital laundry.

Please do not bring family heirlooms or other irreplaceable or special items so they are not lost, broken or soiled.

We can provide you with handouts and education related to your baby's condition. You can also visit our Family Resource Library in person or Kids Health online for more information.

We encourage you to voice your concerns about your baby's care and ask questions. First, you are encouraged to talk to the baby's nurse. If you need more help, please ask to speak with the charge nurse, assistant nurse manager or nurse manager.

We offer social workers who can help with your social and financial needs, and chaplains who can assist with your spiritual needs.

Every baby is different. Typically, premature babies stay in the neonatal nursery until near the expected due date.

Before going home, your baby generally needs to be able to breathe on their own, maintain their temperature within normal limits, take all their feedings by mouth or stomach tube, and show consistent weight gain.

Your baby may need immunizations before you leave the hospital.

If your baby will be going home with medications, their doctor will give you prescriptions to be filled at a pharmacy. Your baby's nurse will explain what the medications are for and how to give them to your baby.

Your baby may need a car seat test before you leave. A car seat test makes sure your baby is able to keep their heart rate and breathing stable while riding in the car. You will need your baby's personal car seat and base for this test.

You should also make sure to choose a pediatrician to care for your baby after you leave the hospital. We can help you choose the right pediatrician for you.