Neonatal care, also known as newborn care, is the medical and nursing care of newborn infants up to 28 days after birth. The main focus of neonatal care is to provide comprehensive medical and nursing care for sick or premature babies and to ensure that all babies have a healthy start in life.
Neonatal care includes a wide range of services, from basic needs such as feeding and bathing, to more complex tasks such as monitoring vital signs and administering medication. Neonatal nurses are specially trained to provide this type of care, and they work closely with neonatologists (pediatricians who specialize in the care of newborns) to provide the best possible outcome for every baby.
The level of neonatal care required depends on the infant’s gestational age (how many weeks pregnant the mother was at delivery), birth weight, health status, and any special needs that may be present. Some babies require only a short period of observation or minor intervention; others may need intensive neonatal care in a hospital setting for several weeks or even months.
There are three levels of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), each providing progressively more intense levels of support: Level I NICUs provide basic stabilization and initial treatment; Level II NICUs offer intermediate levels of support; and Level III NICUs provide the highest level of intensive care available. Infants born prematurely or with serious health problems are often admitted to a Level III NICU.
The goal of all levels of neonatal intensive care is to support the baby’s transition from life inside the womb to life outside it. This process starts with ensuring that the baby has adequate nutrition, hydration, and warmth; preventing infection; stabilizing any respiratory distress; and supporting heart function. Once these basic needs are met, doctors can begin working on any other health issues that may be present. In some cases, this may involve surgery; in others, it may simply mean close monitoring until the baby is strong enough to go home.
No matter what level of intensity is required, parents play an important role in their child’s recovery during a stay in the NICU. Many hospitals have programs that allow parents to stay overnight in sleeping rooms near their baby’s crib so they can be close by if needed. Parents also play an important role in providing love and support during this difficult time—something that no doctor or nurse can replace.