BabyAndMe 2019 Book

What To Expect
In The NICU

The staff will shield your infants’ eyes when the use of bright light is necessary.
If overhead phototherapy lights are being used, a special mask will be used
to cover your baby’s eyes.
“Quiet time” is held during a few hours of the day and night, when lights are
dimmed and your baby is not disturbed unless a procedure is really needed.
Handling
Handling is a concern because:
• It may lead to stress on the body systems (heart rate, breathing), and

changes in behavior.
• Preemies handled for medical care often show that this is stressful by

changes in heart rate, breathing, periods of holding the breath (apnea),
falling levels of blood oxygen (desaturations), color changes, and other
responses such as hiccups or yawning.
• Preemies also may show stress in their behavior by more moving, jerks,
startles, tremors, and crying.
Handling can be made less stressful to the preemie by practicing
developmental care.
This means attention is given to:
• Positioning with special supports to hold the baby in a flexed position during
handling. This includes “containing” or holding in the baby’s arms and legs
to keep him flexed and to prevent jerky movements.
• Pace the care according to how the baby reacts. For example, stop (give
the baby a break) and gently contain the baby when he/she starts to get
upset, and don’t start again until the baby has settled down.
• Give the baby ways to keep themselves calm. This would include a pacifier,
something to hold onto, something against which to brace their feet, and
helping them to keep their hands up near the face to allow sucking on
fingers.
• Keep other stimulation at a minimum. This would include not talking or
trying to make eye contact if the baby shows signs of stress, and keeping
general noise levels low.
• Most of all, adjust to your preemie’s behavior as much as possible, letting
them tell you what feels OK and what doesn’t, and when to keep going,
when to stop, and when to start up again.

- 51 -

What To Expect
In The NICU

Touch
Handling is touching. The sense of touch develops very early in fetal life. For
very small preemies, studies show that touch may be more stressful than
soothing. For older preemies, however, gentle touching can be helpful.
Preemies react in different ways to different kinds of touch. A light, feathery
touch may be upsetting. A firm, steady touch is more likely to calm the baby.
Giving your preemie gentle human touch or massage for a short period every
day has been shown to help them in gaining weight faster. The way you
touch your preemie and how often needs to be based on their responses.
Positioning
Positioning is important because:
• Correct or incorrect positioning affects the way your baby walks, moves and

plays in the future.
Your preemie does not have the muscle strength to control movements of
arms, legs or head that full-term infants have. Therefore he tends to lie with
his arms and legs straight, or “extended”, rather than tucked in, or “flexed”.
There are therapists in the NICU who have experience with the special
positioning needs of the preemie. The therapist may:
• Place a special pad under your baby’s head to prevent/treat a misshapen

head.

- 52 -

What To Expect
In The NICU

• Wrap or swaddle your baby to help keep the flexed position. This gives
them the feeling of being cuddled.

• Make a ‘nest’ around your baby to hold them in a flexed position. We use
specially designed positioning aides to do this.

• Leave your baby’s hands free so that they can get them to the face.
Sucking on fingers or hands, and even just touching the face, is one-way
babies calm themselves.

Skin-to-skin Holding (Kangaroo Care)
A large amount of research has been done on the benefits of skin-to-skin
holding for premature infants and their parents. What is known through this
research is that Kangaroo Care:
• Is safe (even with very tiny babies), and reduces stress
• Helps stabilize vital signs and improve growth
• Helps parents and babies emotionally bond, making parents more confident

in their ability to care for their baby.
• Infants who receive Kangaroo Care have more quiet sleep and less crying.
Benefits for mom include:
• Relaxation and bonding with baby
• Improved milk supply for her baby
Plan to dedicate at least one hour with your baby when doing skin-to-skin
holding. Getting your baby in place for the care can be stressful for your
baby, and it will take a few minutes before they reach deep sleep and start
receiving the benefits of Kangaroo care.
Because of the stress of moving your infant, please decide who will do
Kangaroo Care before starting, as the infant will not be moved during the
care.
You may speak to your baby’s nurse at any time if you have questions about
Kangaroo Care.

- 53 -

Chapter 3:
Feeding Your Baby

How Will I Feed My Baby?
The way your baby is fed is suited to their individual needs. Your baby may
be fed through a feeding tube called gavage feeding. A small, soft, plastic
tube placed through the nose or mouth into the stomach. These tubes are
used to provide feedings and medications into the stomach until the baby can
take food by mouth.
Why Is A Feeding Tube Used?
Breast or bottle-feeding requires the baby to suck on the breast or bottle,
swallow the milk, and breathe at the same time. Sick or premature babies
may not have the energy to do this. Gavage feeding allows the baby to get
some or all of their feeding into the stomach and to save energy for growing.
In order to get all the nutrients your premature baby needs to grow, they are
fed every three hours around-the-clock. Feedings are a good time for you to
visit. Most times, you will be able to feed and hold your baby. This is a special
way for parents and babies to get to know each other.
Breastfeeding
The benefits of human milk are well known.
Breastfed Babies:
• Have more protection against infections and allergies
• Tolerate their feedings better
• Grow and develop better
• Have a lower risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
• Have more bonding time with mom

- 54 -

Feeding Your Baby

Moms Who Breastfeed
• Have less incidence of postpartum depression.
• Have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer
• Return to their pre-pregnancy weight more rapidly than bottle-feeding moms.
• Help the uterus to shrink to its pre-pregnancy state and reduce the amount

of blood loss after delivery.
Pumping And Storing Breast Milk
Making the decision to breastfeed
your baby is an important one, and
will benefit you and your baby for
a lifetime! To help you succeed we
will provide you with any or all of the
following:
• Hospital Grade breast pump
• Private area in which to pump
• Bottles in which to store your
pumped breast milk
• Labels to identify your breast milk
• Printed pumping and storage
instructions

We have special nurses trained to assist you with breast-feeding, called
Lactation Nurses. Please ask your nurse if you need help breast-feeding.
Cue-based Feeding
Once your baby is stable and taking enough milk for growth, they may be
fed on a cue-based protocol. This means your baby is fed based on feeding
cues, or signals. Parents are taught these feeding cues. Babies who are fed
this way benefit from the following:
• Shorter time before they are on full breast or bottle feedings resulting in

shorter hospital stays.
• More enjoyable feedings.
If you have any questions about cue-based feeding, please ask your nurse or
speak to the physician(s) caring for your baby.

- 55 -

Chapter 4:
Taking Care of You

Understanding Your Feelings
If at first you feel distant from your baby, you may wonder or worry that
because you cannot snuggle with your baby, you won’t be able to bond.
Feeling distant is a normal reaction for parents during the early weeks of their
infant’s NICU stay. Feeling distant doesn’t mean you’re not bonding. Your
bond with your baby began during pregnancy and continues to grow long
after your baby is born. Be patient with yourself. Over time, as you adjust to
the NICU, you’ll feel closer and closer to your baby.
We welcome parents and encourage you to help take care of your baby. As
soon as your baby is ready, you will be able to feed and hold him or her. You
can also learn to perform some routine medical care for him, such as taking
his temperature. You may feel nervous at first, but your baby’s nurses will
show you what to do. Taking care of your baby will help you feel closer to
him.
Give Yourself Permission To Cry And Feel Overwhelmed
You may be concerned that if you let your feelings and tears flow, you’ll never
be able to pull yourself back together, but you will. Allow yourself time to feel
this release of emotion. Should you need help coping with your emotions and
managing some of the pressures, Kaweah Delta Medical Center has medical
social workers available to parents of our NICU patients.
Establish A Routine
Find a way to balance work, home life and visiting the hospital. Allow yourself
to leave your baby’s side when you feel comfortable doing so. Your baby
needs you, but it’s also important to have time to yourself, with your partner
and with your other children. Also take time to do things you enjoy, such as
exercise. These restful breaks will help you find the strength to keep going.
Keep A Journal
Expressing your feelings on paper can help you cope with them. A journal
can strengthen your hope and patience, by reminding you how far you and
your baby have come. Celebrate when your baby makes progress. Every
little step is important.
Accept Support
A NICU social worker will meet with you shortly after your baby’s admission.
Should you have immediate questions, concerns or urgent needs, feel free
to ask a member of the NICU staff or the unit secretary to contact the social
worker. Remember, you do not have to transition home from the NICU
alone. Your social worker can help identify community-based resources and
services to help you and your baby following discharge from the NICU.
Accept help from friends and family as well. Let people know how they
can best help you. Expect that you and your partner will react differently.

- 56 -

Taking Care of You

Share your experiences and listen with empathy so that you each can
feel supported. You may find comfort speaking with a pastor, priest, rabbi,
minister or imam. In any case, remember that prayer, meditation or quiet
reflection can help you find emotional strength and hope, and can guide you
through this challenging time.

When to Seek Professional
Counseling
It’s normal to experience a range of
emotions and changes in behavior while
your baby is in the NICU. But you may
find it difficult to deal with some of these
feelings. You can benefit from seeing a
professional counselor if:
• You think it may help you feel better.
• Your ability to cope with the situation is not improving and you feel stuck.
• You continue to find no joy in other parts of your life.
• You have trouble with your relationship with your partner or others close to
you.
It Is Essential To Speak With A Professional Counselor If:
• You feel prolonged numbness or detachment from your baby.
• You have trouble getting out of bed or starting your day.
• You feel unable to cope or manage your other responsibilities.
• You think about harming yourself or others.
Your doctor or the hospital social worker can refer you to a counselor who
understands the trauma of having a baby in the NICU. Even just a couple of
visits might give you reassurance and boost your mood.
Postpartum Reactions
If you’re a mother, you may be experiencing some degree of postpartum
adjustment or depression. As your body recovers from pregnancy, physical
and hormonal changes may intensify your emotions for many months after
delivery.
If you can’t seem to shake uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, sadness,
fatigue, irritability, hopelessness or disinterest, tell someone close to you that
you are having a difficulty and you need them to help you. Let them help you
get what you need, including an appointment with a health care provider.

- 57 -

Chapter 5:
Taking Your Baby Home

Things Your Baby Must Do Before Making That Exciting Move Home:
• Maintain a normal body temperature in an open crib.
• Take in an adequate number of calories on all breast and/ or bottle feedings
• Have consistent weight gain on all breast or bottle feeding
• Have no apnea (pauses in breathing) causing slow heart rate (bradycardia)

or change in color for at least 5-7 days.
• Most babies no longer need oxygen when discharged, but some infants

may need it when going home.
These Tests Or Procedures Must
Be Done Before Discharge:
• Hearing screen completed
• Angle tolerance test completed. This
is a car seat challenge to make sure
your infant can tolerate the upright
car seat position while traveling.
• Hepatitis B vaccine given before
discharge if recommended by your
pediatrician.

• Immunizations given at 2 months of age if your infant meets these criteria.
• First dose of Synagis (for RSV) if your infant meets criteria and/or referral.
Things You As A Parent Will Need To Do Before Discharge:
• Sign consents for Hepatitis B vaccine or immunizations (when applicable)
• View CPR and RSV videos.
Learning about your baby’s needs will be an ongoing process, which
will begin at the time of admission. At time of discharge you should feel
comfortable with your baby and the thought of going home. These are a few
things you should feel comfortable with:
• Feeding your baby
• Giving a bath
• Giving any medication (if needed).
• Taking care of the umbilical cord (if still present)

- 58 -

Taking Your Baby Home

• Taking a temperature and knowing the normal range
• Knowing how and when to use a bulb syringe
• Having a car seat and knowing how to properly place your baby in car seat
• Knowing how to properly place the car seat in your car
At time of discharge your nurse will review your baby’s needs. All
appointments and referrals will be discussed. Please feel free to ask any and
all questions you might have. This is a very exciting and important time. We
want you to be as comfortable as possible when taking your baby home.
Sleeping
You can do several things to make sleeping safe for your baby. She may
have slept on her tummy in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) when she
was smaller and being monitored. At home, she needs to sleep on her back.
Just remember, “back to sleep.” This position reduces your baby’s risk of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as “crib death.”
Tips for Safe Sleeping
• Use a firm, tight-fitting mattress in your baby’s crib or bassinet.
• Do not lay the baby on a soft blanket, pillow or pad.
• If it’s cool, dress your baby in a sleeper to keep warm. Do not use a blanket.

But don’t overheat the room or overdress the baby.
• Before you put your baby in the crib, remove all pillows, stuffed animals or

other objects.
Tummy Time
Let your baby spend time on her stomach when she’s awake. Watch her
closely. This “tummy time” is important for your baby’s muscle development.

What is SIDS?
SIDS stands for sudden infant death
syndrome. This term describes the sudden,
unexplained death of an infant younger than
1 year of age.
Some people call SIDS “crib death” because
many babies who die of SIDS are found in
their cribs. But, cribs don’t cause SIDS.
What Should I Know About SIDS?
Health care providers don’t know exactly what causes SIDS, but they do
know:

- 59 -

Taking Your Baby Home

• Babies sleep safer on their backs. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are
much more likely to die of SIDS than babies who sleep on their backs.

• Sleep surface matters. Babies who sleep on or under soft bedding are more
likely to die of SIDS.

• Every sleep time counts. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but who
are then placed on their stomachs, like for a nap, are at very high risk for
SIDS. So it’s important for everyone (grandparent, babysitter, daycare
provider) who cares for your baby to use the back sleep position for naps
and at night.

• Communities across the nation have made great progress in reducing
SIDS!

Since the Back to Sleep campaign began in 1994, the SIDS rate in the
United States has declined by more than 50 percent.
Fast Facts About SIDS
• SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year

of age.
• Most SIDS deaths happen when babies are between 2 months and 4

months of age.
• African American babies are more than 2 times as likely to die of SIDS as

white babies.
• American Indian/Alaskan Native babies are nearly 3 times as likely to die of

SIDS as white babies.
What Can I Do To Lower My Baby’s Risk Of SIDS?
Here are 10 ways that you and others who care for your baby can reduce the
risk of SIDS.
Safe Sleep Top 10
1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night.
The back sleep position is the safest, and every sleep time counts.
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved
crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on
pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
3. Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area.
Don’t use pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins, and pillow-like crib bumpers
in your baby’s sleep area, and keep any other items away from your baby’s
face.

- 60 -

Taking Your Baby Home

4. Do not allow smoking around your baby. Don’t smoke before or after the
birth of your baby, and don’t let others smoke around your baby. If you or a
family member needs help to stop smoking, ask your baby’s primary care
physician or your physician for resources or a referral.
5. Keep your baby’s sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and
others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair
with adults or other children, but he can sleep in the same room as you.
If you bring the baby into bed with you to breastfeed, put him back in a
separate sleep area, such as a bassinet, crib, or cradle when finished.
6. Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to
sleep,but don’t force the baby to take it. (If you are breastfeeding your baby,
wait until your child is 1 month old or is used to breastfeeding before using a
pacifier.)
7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep
clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have
not been tested for effectiveness or safety.
9. Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you have
questions about using monitors for other conditions talk to your health care
provider.
10. Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby’s head:
provide “Tummy Time” when your baby is awake and someone is watching;
change the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next;
and avoid too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncers.

Car Seat Safety
Even in a minor crash, your baby
could be seriously injured. To decrease
the risk of injuries, it is necessary that
your baby is placed in a car seat.
Here are some tips for car seat safety:
• Never carry a baby in your arms in
the car. It would be impossible to hold
onto a baby in a crash.
• Use a rear-facing car safety seat (car seat) as long as possible, up to at
least 24 months. This is safest. It protects a baby from head or spinal cord
injury.

- 61 -

Taking Your Baby Home

• Baby always rides in the back seat. The back seat is much safer than
the front seat. The center of the back seat is safest. If there is no space
for baby’s seat in back, turn the passenger side air bag off. (See the car
owner’s manual.)

• Make sure the seat belt or latch attachments hold the car seat tightly. The
seat should move less than one inch forward or side-to-side.

• Buckle and tighten the harness snugly over your baby’s shoulders. Do not
wrap him in blankets. Put a blanket over the harness after you buckle and
tighten it.

• Always follow car seat instructions and car manual to install and use the car
seat correctly.

• Try the car seat in your car. Make sure it can be installed tightly in the back
seat using the seat belt or latch straps. If it does not fit, return it.

Choosing A Car Seat
• An infant-only seat is small and can only be used facing the rear. These

seats are for babies up to 20 to 32 pounds. You will need a convertible seat
later to keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible.
• A convertible seat faces the rear and is for a baby up to 30 to 35 pounds.
It can be turned to face forward for a heavier child. Choose one with a
harness, not a shield.
• A car bed is for babies with medical needs who must lie flat.
Good car seat features include:
• Low shoulder harness position. Look for lowest slots at less than 8 inches
from the bottom of the seatpad.
• Harness adjuster that is easy to reach and use. A pull strap in front is
usually easiest.
Tips for second-hand car seats:
• Newer seats are easier to use and may have better safety features.
• Check for an expiration date. If there is none, try not to use a car seat over
six years old.
• If the car seat has been in a crash, it should not be used again.
• Do not use a car seat that is missing parts.

- 62 -

Taking Your Baby Home

Crying and Fussiness
All babies cry, but some cry more than
others. They cry when they’re hungry,
bored, uncomfortable, frightened. They
also cry when they need a diaper changed,
hear a loud noise, meet a new person—or
for no apparent reason. Crying is one of
the few ways your baby can communicate
with you.
Your baby’s crying is no reflection on your parenting. But it can be very
frustrating when your baby cries and, despite your best efforts, doesn’t stop.
You can try to soothe a crying baby by feeding them, changing their diaper,
swaddling, dimming the lights, rocking, singing and walking. Some studies
show that premature babies are more likely than term babies to be fussy.
They may be harder to soothe, cry often, and have irregular eating and
sleeping patterns. But each child is different, so this may or may not apply to
your baby.
If your baby is fussy, it may be comforting to know that you are not alone.
Your baby will soon outgrow this difficult phase.
Some babies who have been in the NICU have trouble adjusting to the quiet
of home.
They may sleep better with some background music or a low level of noise.
As you get to know your baby, you’ll learn how much crying is normal for
them and what you can do to soothe them. If your baby cries longer than
usual, and nothing you do soothes them, call your baby’s health care
provider to see if there is a medical reason.
If Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying
• If your baby won’t stop crying, try the following:
• Check to make sure they aren’t hungry.
• Check to make sure they have a clean
diaper. If not, change it.
• Look for signs of illness or pain.
Examples: Fever over 100.4 degrees,
swollen gums or an ear infection.
• Rock the baby, or walk with them. But
if you begin to feel stressed, put them
down right away.

- 63 -

Taking Your Baby Home

• Sing or talk to the baby.
• Offer them a pacifier or a toy.
• Take them for a ride in a stroller.
• Swaddle the baby snuggly in a blanket.
• Turn on the stereo or TV. Be sure the sound is low and soothing.
• Run the vacuum cleaner, put on the clothes dryer, or run water in the

bathtub or sink.Some babies like these rhythmic noises.
• Hold the baby close to your body. Breathe calmly and slowly.
• Call a friend or relative. Ask them to care for your baby while you take a break.
• If nothing else works, put the baby in his or her crib on their back, close the

door and check on them in a few minutes.
Never Shake Your Baby!
Taking care of a fussy baby, or a baby who cries and cannot be consoled, is
very, very stressful. Never shake a baby because their tiny, fragile brain may
be damaged.
It takes only a few seconds of shaking to cause irreversible brain damage in
an infant. When a baby is shaken to the point where their brain is damaged,
it is called shaken baby syndrome (SBS) or shaken impact syndrome. SBS is
the leading cause of death in child abuse cases in the United States. When a
baby is shaken forcefully, the brain strikes the inside of the skull. This causes
blood vessels and nerves to burst and the brain tissue to tear. Afterwards,
the brain swells, causing more pressure and more damage. About half the
babies who have SBS die.
Children who survive may suffer:
• Partial or total blindness
• Hearing loss
• Seizures
• Developmental delays
• Learning problems
• Paralysis
• Mental retardation

- 64 -

Taking Your Baby Home

In mild cases, the baby may appear normal after the shaking. But over time,
they may develop one or more of the problems listed above. Often a problem
is first noticed when the child goes to school and has trouble learning or
behaving.
Illness Prevention
Handwashing
Everyone who wants to touch your baby should first wash their hands. Your
baby’s caretaker should wash his or her hands often, especially after:
• Changing a diaper
• Using the bathroom
• Wiping another child’s nose
• Blowing their nose
• School-age brothers and sisters should make handwashing a habit. While

they may not like it at first, after a few days it will become part of their
routine. Keep a bottle of sanitizer in each room and in your diaper bag or
purse. It can be used when handwashing isn’t possible.
Visitors and Visiting
Babies who have been in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are often
at higher risk of getting an infection than other infants. So you need to be
careful where you take your baby and who comes to visit. You don’t need to
stay in your house alone for the first months after your baby comes home.
But you do need to take special precautions.
• Limit the number of visitors to your home
• Limit the number of people who touch your baby
• Avoid taking your baby to crowded places, such as malls and grocery
stores.
If you do have visitors:
• Make sure they wash their hands before touching the baby.
• Do not let adults or children who are sick, have a fever, or have been
exposed to an illness near your baby.
• Tell visitors they can’t smoke in your house.
By all means, take your babies for walks outside in comfortable weather, and
go visit friends and relatives. Just make sure that your baby is going to a
home that is smoke-free and illness-free.

- 65 -

Glossary

Apnea: Interruption in breathing that lasts 15 seconds or more.
Apnea monitor: Machine that detects interruptions in breathing.
Arteries: Blood vessels that carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
Asphyxia: Lack of oxygen.
Bililights: Blue fluorescent lights used to treat jaundice.
Bilirubin: A yellowish waste product formed when red blood cells break

down. It produces a yellow color in the skin, which is called jaundice.
Blood gases: Levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
Bradycardia: Slow heart rate.
Cardiopulmonary monitor: Machine that tracks heart and breathing rates.
Catheter: A small, thin plastic tube through which fluids are given or removed

from the body.
Central line: A small plastic tube that is placed in a large blood vessel near

the heart, to deliver intravenous feedings and medications. A central line
can avoid many needle sticks for a baby, when long-term care is needed.
C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure): Air is delivered to a baby’s
lungs through either small tubes in the baby’s nose or through a tube
that has been inserted into her windpipe. The tubes are attached to a
mechanical ventilator, which helps the baby breathe, but does not breathe
for her.
Cyanosis: A blue or gray discoloration of the skin caused by insufficient
oxygen.
Echocardiogram: A specialized form of ultrasound examination that is used
to study the heart.
Endotracheal tube: Small plastic tube that is inserted through a baby’s
nose or mouth down into the trachea (windpipe), usually connected to a
mechanical ventilator.
Gavage feeding: Feeding through a flexible tube placed through the nose or
mouth to the stomach or intestines.
High-frequency ventilation: Special form of mechanical ventilation,
designed to help reduce complications to delicate lungs.

- 66 -

Glossary

Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar levels.
Isolette: Babies are placed in this clear plastic box that keeps them warm

and protects them from germs and noise.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR): Term for babies who are smaller

than they should be at their gestational age.
Intravenous: Through a vein.
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): Bleeding in the brain, which occurs

mainly in premature babies.
Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to accumulation of a waste

product called bilirubin in the blood.
Kangaroo care: Holding a baby with skin-to-skin contact.
Mechanical ventilation: Using a mechanical ventilator to breathe for a very

sick baby while her lungs recover.
Meconium aspiration syndrome: Breathing problems that occur when the

fetus inhales meconium (fetal stool) during labor and delivery. The stool
usually is released into the amniotic fluid shortly before or during birth.
Nasal cannula: Soft plastic tubing that goes around a baby’s head and
under his nose, where there are openings (prongs) to deliver oxygen.
Nasal prongs: Small plastic tubes that fit into or under a baby’s nose to
deliver oxygen.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): Serious intestinal condition that most
commonly affects premature babies.
Neonatologist: A pediatrician with advanced training in the care of sick
newborns.
Nitric oxide: A gas naturally produced by the body that can be given to help
expand blood vessels; sometimes used to treat babies with PPHN.
Ophthalmologist: Eye doctor.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): Heart problem that is seen most
commonly in premature babies.
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN): High blood
pressure in the lungs, leading to breathing problems, and reduced levels of
oxygen in the blood.

- 67 -

Glossary

Phototherapy: Treatment for jaundice, involving placing the baby under blue
fluorescent lights, sometimes called bililights.

Pneumothorax: When air from the baby’s lungs leaks out into the space
between the baby’s lungs and chest wall. While small leaks may cause
no problems and require no treatment, larger leaks may cause serious
complications such as lung collapse and may need surgical repair.

Premature baby: Baby born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.
Pulse oximeter: Small device that uses a light sensor to help determine

blood oxygen levels.
Radiant warmer: Open bed with overhead heating source to warm the baby.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): Serious breathing problem affecting

mainly premature babies.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): A virus that causes a mild, cold-like

illness in adults. In premature babies or full-term babies with lung problems,
it can cause serious illness, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): Eye disorder seen mainly in very
premature babies, which can lead to vision loss or blindness.
Sepsis: Widespread infection of the blood.
Step-down nursery: Intermediate level of care for babies who no longer
require NICU care.
Surfactant: Detergent-like substance that keeps small air sacs in the lungs
from collapsing.
Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate.
Ultrasound: Imaging technique that uses sound waves to make a picture of
tissue.
Umbilical catheter: Thin tube inserted into the belly button; used to draw
blood or give fluids, medication, nutrients or blood.
Vein: A blood vessel leading toward the heart.
Ventilator, mechanical: Mechanical breathing machine.

- 68 -

Weight Conversion Chart

Example - 5lbs. 6oz = 2438 grams

- 69 -

Resources

FACT SHEETS © 2009 Safe Ride National Auto Safety Hotline:
888-327-4236, 800-424-9153 (tty) or www.safercar.gov
Find a local child passenger safety technician or inspection station:
866-732-8243 or www.seatcheck.org
American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, Subcommittees, and
Task Forces of the American Heart Association. 2005 American Heart
Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency
Cardiovascular Care. Circulation. 2005 pp; 112(24 Suppl):IV1-203. Hauda
WE II. Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen
GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A
Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th pp edition New York, NY: McGraw-Hill;
2004:chap 14.
2009 March of Dimes Foundation. The March of Dimes is a not-for-profit
organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section
501(c)(3). Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth
defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

- 70 -