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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Learning Hub

The SickKids Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides care for newborns up to four weeks of age. Find information about life in the NICU, conditions that affect newborns and premature babies and what to expect when leaving the NICU.

Outcomes for premature babies

Health A-Z

Learn about possible outcomes for premature babies.

Being part of your baby's health-care team

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Learn how parents can effectively participate in the care of a baby in the NICU.

Medications, alcohol and cannabis in breastfeeding

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Learn about the potential effects of using alcohol or cannabis/marijuana while breastfeeding and how to maximize safety when using medications or supplements.

Decision making in the NICU

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Learn about how families and the health-care team work together to make important decisions about the care of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Infections and the premature baby

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A premature baby is susceptible to infection because their immune system is immature. Read more about infections and the immune system of premature babies.

Feeding and nutrition for premature babies

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Learn about what a premature baby needs to eat and how they can get proper nutrition.

Transport to specialized neonatal facilities

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Learn about how newborns and infants are safely transported from a community hospital or nursing station to a hospital that can provide the necessary expertise to care for sick premature or term babies.

Attachment and premature babies

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All babies are born relationship ready. Babies are also born with attachment-based behaviours (crying) that cue their caregiver when they are in distress and need them close. Learn how the baby’s cry and the caregiver’s response to the cry develops the attachment relationship.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature babies

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Read about intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), or bleeding in the brain, in premature babies.

The health-care team in the NICU

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Read about the various health-care team members who care for babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Bone health in premature babies

Very premature babies are at risk for metabolic bone disease, a condition that affects their bone health and increases the risk of fractures.

Behavioural and learning issues

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Read about various behavioral problems that premature babies may develop as they grow. In general, the most premature babies are more at risk.

Life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

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Learn about the challenges that parents/caregivers and families may experience when a baby is admitted to the NICU.

Prematurity: Overview

Health A-Z

Learn about the definition of and the causes and medical conditions associated with prematurity.

Going home from the NICU

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Read about issues that parents and caregivers must address in order to prepare for a baby's discharge from the NICU and arrival at home.

Feeding and nutrition of newborn babies

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Learn about your newborn baby's nutritional requirements and how to successfully feed them.

Apnea of prematurity

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Read about apnea of prematurity, which is a condition in which premature babies take unusually long pauses (usually more than 20 seconds) between breaths.

Vascular access in the NICU

Health A-Z

Learn about several types of lines and catheters inserted into a vein that are used for vascular access on a premature baby or ill newborn.

Expressing breast milk for your hospitalized baby

Health A-Z

The recommendations in this article are for parents who are expressing and storing breast milk for their hospitalized babies. Breast milk acts as a medicine in babies who are sick or premature, and has the right nutritional balance for your baby.

Pain in newborns and babies

Babies can feel pain. Learn about ways pain in newborns and babies can be assessed and techniques that can help ease pain.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature babies

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Learn about patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature babies and the treatments available for it.

Breastfeeding your hospitalized baby

Health A-Z

You can still work on breastfeeding while your baby is in the hospital. Learn how to prepare for breastfeeding and recognize your baby’s feeding cues.

Needle pokes: Reducing pain with sucrose or breastfeeding

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Find out how to offer sucrose or breastfeeding to ease your child's pain from needle pokes.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature babies

Health A-Z

Learn about respiratory distress syndrome, a common condition in very premature babies.