NICU Basics: What New NICU Parents Need to Know
New to the NICU? Start here.
If your baby has been admitted to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), you may have many questions. What is the NICU? Why do babies go there? What will your baby’s care look like?
This guide introduces the NICU basics every parent should know and connects you to trusted resources to help you understand your baby’s care and navigate the NICU journey.
What is the NICU?
The NICU, or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is an area of the hospital that provides specialized care for premature and sick newborns who require a higher level of care than a typical hospital nursery.
The NICU is staffed with highly trained medical professionals and is full of special equipment and technology necessary to care for medically fragile babies. Some NICUs are divided into bays that house multiple babies, and some are comprised of private rooms.
Why would a baby go to the NICU?
Most babies admitted to the NICU are born premature, meaning they were born before 37 weeks gestation, were born with low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces), or have a health condition that requires special care. Other reasons a baby may go to the NICU may include:
- Respiratory distress
- Infection
- Seizures
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Need for extra oxygen or monitoring, IV (intravenous) therapy, or medicines
- Need for various special treatment or procedures
How Premature is My Baby?
Premature babies require different levels of care based on their gestational age at birth.
Extremely preterm: less than 28 weeks (micro preemie).
Very preterm: 28 to less than 32 weeks.
Moderate to late preterm: 32 to 37 weeks.
Source: World Health Organization
Calculating your baby’s adjusted age
Adjusted age or corrected age is how old your baby would be if they were born on their due date, rather than the day that they were actually born.
Because premature babies often need more time to grow and develop after they are born, your baby’s adjusted or corrected age is used to track their developmental milestones and help track the baby’s skills and behaviors in a number of different areas.
To find your baby’s adjusted age, first we have to calculate your baby’s prematurity. Subtract your baby’s gestational age, or how soon your baby was born after becoming pregnant, from what is considered a full-term pregnancy, or 40 weeks.
40 weeks — [gestational age] = Baby’s prematurity
For example, if your baby was born at 31 weeks gestation, you would calculate it like this:
40 weeks – 31 weeks = 9 weeks premature
Next, calculate your baby’s adjusted age by subtracting your baby’s current age from its prematurity.
[Baby’s age in weeks] — Prematurity in weeks = Current adjusted/corrected age
For example, if your baby is 12 weeks old, and they were born 9 weeks premature, then you would calculate:
12 weeks — 9 weeks = 3 weeks adjusted age.
Your baby is 3 weeks adjusted, or 3 weeks corrected.
My Baby is in the NICU – What Now?
Take a deep breath and know that your baby is getting the care that they need. Here are more resources to help you acclimate yourself to the NICU:
NICU Glossary – Learn some of the terms and phrases you’ll be hearing
Members of the NICU Team – You’ll encounter a lot of medical professionals. Here’s a guide to who is who.
Understanding Neonatal Care & NICU Levels – So you know more about where your baby is staying.