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Concerns After Discharge from the NICU

Neonatal ICU

Baby's Sleeping Habits

In the Memorial Hospital West Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the continuous lighting, beeping from monitors and talking make it difficult for your baby to learn the difference between day and night, which may lead to erratic sleeping patterns.

When you get home, try to establish structure and routine so that your baby's day has some predictability. For example, develop a routine in which you give your baby a bath at the same time every day.

You may, for the first week, need to keep the light on at night in your baby's room. Gradually turn the lights off after the last night feed so your baby learns night from day and to make night a quiet time in your house.

Remember, babies must sleep on their backs in their beds.

Other ways to make your baby's sleep environment safe is to:

  • Place the baby in his or her own crib on a firm mattress with tight-fitting sheets
  • Have no soft, fluffy bedding in the crib
  • Have no bumpers in the crib
  • Do not overdress your baby

Baby's Development

Most parents of premature infants worry if their baby will develop normally. While the doctors and nurses are unable to tell you exactly how your baby will develop, they will teach you ways to help your baby grow and learn new skills. Your baby's first year is a time of great change. A child's development is a complex, ongoing process, and no two children mature at the same rate or in the same way.

Child Passenger Safety

More than 85 percent of car seats are incorrectly installed – yours may be one of them. Have your child safety seat inspected by a certified child passenger safety technician. To find an inspection location or a certified child passenger safety technician near you, call (954) 844-7110. You may also visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Association's website at nhtsa.gov or
call (888) 327-4236, or visit Safe Kids USA at usa.safekids.org

Early Intervention/Developmental Clinic

If your baby meets certain criteria, you will be given information regarding the Early Intervention/Developmental Clinic at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Your baby may benefit from a developmental assessment after leaving our NICU. When your baby is admitted to Memorial Hospital West NICU, you will be asked to fill out a short form asking for various information. This form will be sent to the clinic at Memorial Regional Hospital and they will contact you after your baby is discharged.

 

Is Your Doctor a Memorial Doctor?
To find a physician who is committed to South Florida healthcare services, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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