Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most precious moments. Sometimes newborns arrive early or have special medical needs. When this happens, babies are transferred to Denver Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), adjacent to Labor and Delivery. The NICU is designed for newborns in need of intensive medical care following birth.
Visiting Your Newborn
Mom and dad/partner can visit their baby in the NICU at any time. We can provide accommodations if parents would like to stay with their newborn around the clock. We have new, comfortable sleeper sofas in the NICU where a parent can sleep if desired. Alternatively, mothers are able to board in a separate room with a bathroom and shower when space is available. Our special NICU family room has a TV, activities for siblings, and a restroom with a shower.
Newborn Rooms and Equipment
Our 25-bed NICU features spacious private and semi-private rooms equipped with state-of-the-art medical monitoring equipment. Double rooms are available for twins. We have sophisticated ventilation equipment, whole body cooling technology, and continuous EEG with video monitoring. Each year we care for more than 300 newborns.
Medical Care Team
A baby’s multidisciplinary care team is made up of neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs), physician assistants (PAs), and neonatal nurses. Support services include social workers, pediatric pharmacists, and respiratory, occupational, speech and physical therapists. The NICU is also supported by three maternal-fetal medical physicians and on-site pediatric sub-specialists including; a pediatric surgeon, pediatric neurosurgeon, pediatric radiologist, pediatric anesthesiologist and a pediatric neurologist.
Parents and Family
NICU newborns need their family’s love and support to thrive and grow. We encourage parents to room in/stay with their baby. When parents cannot room in, they are welcome to visit the baby throughout the day and night. Studies show that infants benefit from human contact including “kangaroo care,” in which a diapered baby is placed in an upright position on their parent’s bare chest. We advocate family-centered care. Each morning when the medical team rounds at a baby’s bedside, we invite families to join in on rounds to give us feedback and ask questions.
Breastfeeding Moms
Breast milk is the most nourishing and well-tolerated first food for newborns. It also helps protect NICU babies against infection. We strongly support moms who desire to breastfeed or provide breast milk for their baby in the NICU. Donor breast milk is available when recommended by a baby’s medical team or when needed to bridge mom’s supply. Breastfeeding moms can receive a complimentary meal tray when visiting their baby in the NICU.
Infant Mental Health
Infant Mental Health is an early approach to mental health care, focusing on supporting both the child and the parents/caregivers. At Denver Health, the Infant Mental Health program begins even before birth, with an Infant Mental Health specialist joining the pregnant person’s care team. Infant Mental Health specialists are available in all pediatric and family medicine clinics at Denver Health.
Our Commitment to You
With compassion and respect we will care for, treat, and educate our patients and families whom we are honored to serve. With tenaciousness and teamwork we will strive each day to exceed the expectations of our patients, families, and community by improving the services we provide.
