The NICU can be a nerve-racking place for mom, dad and baby, with bright lights, beeping monitors and a busy staff. The staff works hard to provide a comfortable and healthy surrounding for your baby, The lights are often times dimmed and babies' isolettes are sometimes covered to decrease the light and noise to help promote that surrounding.

The staff of the NICU does many things to help your baby such as:

• Take your baby's temperature, blood pressure, heart and breathing rate.
• Check your baby's IV and give medications.
• Take measurements of your baby's head, length and chest to monitor their growth.
• Feed your baby every two to four hours.
• Bath and weigh your baby, usually in the evening shift.
• Change your baby's diaper and the position they are resting in.
• Take care of their skin, mouth and cord.
• The respiratory therapist assesses the heart and lungs of babies on respirators at the beginning of each shift.
• The respiratory therapist assesses the heart and lungs of babies on respirators at the beginning of each shift.

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