New parents eagerly look forward to bringing their baby home. So it can be frightening if your newborn needs to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

At first it may seem like a foreign place, but understanding the NICU and what goes on there can help allay your fears. After you familiarize yourself with the people and machines that fill the unit, you'll be better prepared to help your baby during his stay.

Going to the NICU
If your baby is sent to the NICU, your first question will probably be: What is this place? The NICU is an intensive care unit designed to meet the special needs of newborns. The period right after birth is a transitional one, when babies go through a lot of physiological changes, and the NICU is specially prepared to offer care during this time. Babies who need to go to the unit are often admitted within the first 24 hours after birth. A baby may be sent there if he is born prematurely, if difficulties arise in the delivery, or if he shows signs of a problem during the first few days of life.

If your baby has to be admitted to the NICU, you'll want to find out as much about his case as possible. Ask the doctor how long your baby will be in the unit; what, specifically, is the problem; what will be involved in his treatment; and what you, as his parent, can do to help him.

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