What happens on the unit?

When a baby is admitted to a neonatal unit, it is because he is unwell and needs some extra help or perhaps close monitoring. What will happen to him depends on the reason he has been admitted. In general, babies admitted to the unit need:

To be kept warm

All babies need to be kept warm but this is especially important if a baby is small or unwell. Different types of equipment can be used for keeping babies warm depending on each baby’s problems. In the NNU there are incubators, kan-med beds and cosy-cots. Also, there are cots, which have heated mattresses.

To be monitored

All babies admitted to the NNU need some observation but for many, this may only be taking their temperature, heart rate and breathing rate. Babies requiring intensive care need additional monitoring and will be attached to a whole array of monitors, as well as needing repeated blood tests, X rays and scans. The things that are closely monitored include:

• heart rate and breathing rate, blood pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, oxygen saturation and temperature.

To be kept safe

• abduction. There have been instances when babies have been stolen from maternity hospitals. Therefore to enter the neonatal unit, everyone must identify themselves via the intercom system. This means that babies are kept as safe as possible by keeping out people who do not need to enter the neonatal unit;
• infection is a great risk to newborn infants. This risk can be minimised by good hand washing and discouraging visiting by people with infections.

To be fed

All babies need food. Babies can receive breast milk, formula milk or intravenous nutrition. The premature baby may not be able to suck well for several weeks and therefore milk is given via a nasogastric or an orogastric tube, cup or syringe. The nurse looking after a baby will explain to parents the best way for their baby to receive his milk.

To be Loved

The work of the neonatal unit is about observing, recording and treating babies. However staff never lose sight of the fact that babies also require nurturing, comfort and love. The best person for this is the parent and therefore parents are encouraged to be with their baby, to talk to him and offer him the love upon which he will thrive.

To receive all necessary treatment

Babies are admitted to a NNU because they need something in addition to what their parents can give. Regardless of whether a baby's problems are big or small, the staff of the neonatal unit will investigate, treat and support a baby in a way that is in his best interest. This is done in consultation with and collaboration of the parents.