Understanding NICU: A Guide for New Parents
Dr. Het Pujara4 min read
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can feel like an intimidating place for new parents. Monitors beeping, wires and tubes, incubators — it’s a world you never expected to enter. But understanding what’s happening can transform anxiety into confidence.
Why babies are admitted to the NICU:
The most common reasons include premature birth (before 37 weeks), low birth weight, breathing difficulties (respiratory distress syndrome), infections, jaundice requiring phototherapy, and birth complications such as asphyxia. Not every NICU admission means a critical condition — sometimes it’s simply careful observation.
What happens inside the NICU:
Your baby will be placed in a warmer or incubator to maintain body temperature. Continuous monitors track heart rate, oxygen levels, and breathing. Feeding may happen through a small tube initially, especially for premature babies who haven’t yet developed the suck-swallow reflex.
Your role as a parent:
You are not a visitor in the NICU — you are an essential part of your baby’s recovery. Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) has been shown to improve weight gain, stabilise heart rate, and strengthen bonding. Speak to your baby, touch them gently, and participate in their care as the nursing team guides you.
How long will your baby stay?
Every baby’s NICU journey is different. Some stay for a few days for observation; others may need weeks of specialised care. Your neonatologist will set clear milestones — steady weight gain, independent breathing, and successful feeding — before discharge.
Questions to ask your neonatologist:
What is my baby’s current condition? What are the next milestones for discharge? Can I do kangaroo care? When can I start breastfeeding? Are there any concerns I should watch for after we go home?
Our 15 NICU is staffed around the clock by neonatologists and specially trained nurses. Parents are involved from day one — we encourage kangaroo care and update you every morning and evening.
Topics
- NICU
- newborn care
- premature baby
- parent guide
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