Sometimes, babies need extra support after birth. This may be planned or unexpected.
If your baby needs extra care, it can feel overwhelming but support is available for both you and your baby.
Many babies who need extra care improve over time. As your baby grows stronger, their care and support needs may change.
Why a baby may need extra care
Some babies need additional support for a short time after birth.
This might be because they:
- were born early (prematurely)
- had a difficult start after birth
- need help with feeding, breathing, or keeping warm
- are unwell and need treatment or closer monitoring.
Your healthcare team will explain what your baby needs and answer any questions you have.
Where a baby would receive care
Your baby may stay:
- with you while receiving extra monitoring or support
- in a neonatal unit - special care nursery (SCN) or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The type of care your baby receives depends on their individual needs.
Understanding equipment
Seeing medical equipment around your baby can feel worrying or overwhelming.
Each piece of equipment has a purpose and is used to monitor, support or treat your baby.
Your healthcare team can explain what the equipment does, why your baby needs it and how it helps their care. Remember, you are encouraged to ask questions. Understanding your baby's care can help you feel more confident and involved during their hospital stay.
The types of equipment you might see
View more View lessBreathing support
Some babies need help with their breathing while their lungs grow stronger or recover from illness.
This might include oxygen delivered through small tubes in the nose, special breathing support called High flow and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or a ventilator that helps your baby breathe.
The type of support used will depend on your baby's needs.
Incubator
An incubator is a clear, enclosed bed that helps keep your baby warm and comfortable.
It can also help reduce noise, light and energy use while your baby grows and recovers.
Babies born early or who are unwell may need to an incubator for a period of time.
IV lines and pumps
IV (intravenous) lines are small tubes that deliver fluids, nutrition, blood products or medicines directly into your baby's bloodstream.
Pumps help make sure these treatments are given safely and at the right rate.
Some babies need IV support until they can feed fully by breast, bottle or feeding tube.
Monitors
Small sensors may be placed on your baby's skin to monitor their heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels and temperature.
The monitors help staff keep a close eye on your baby's condition.
Alarms can sound from time to time. This does not always mean there is a problem but staff will check if needed.
Feeding tubes
Some babies need extra help with feeding especially if they are born early, are unwell or are still learning to coordinate sucking and swallowing.
A soft feeding tube may be placed through the nose or mouth into the stomach so your baby can receive breast milk, donor milk or formula.
Phototherapy lights
Phototherapy uses special blue lights to treat jaundice. Jaundice is a common condition that can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes.
The treatment helps your baby's body remove extra bilirubin (a waste product made normally by the body) that has caused jaundice.
Your baby will wear eye protection during the light treatment.
Special beds or cooling equipment
In some situations, babies may need specialised equipment to carefully control their temperature.
Your healthcare team will explain if this is needed and why.
Safe sleeping in the neonatal unit
Babies in a neonatal unit may sometimes be positioned on their side or stomach, or supported in a special nest, to meet their individual care needs while they are being closely monitored.
Before your baby goes home, your healthcare team will talk with you about safe sleeping. Once monitoring has stopped, it is important to follow safe sleeping recommendations to help keep your baby safe.
Learn more
NICU V Cot Sleeping | Red Nose Australia
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) | Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
What to expect in a NICU | Raising Children Network
Being involved in your baby’s care
You are the most important part of your baby's care team.
Depending on your baby's condition, you will be able to:
- hold your baby, including skin-to-skin contact
- be present during care and procedures
- help with feeding, comforting, and everyday care.
You can ask your healthcare team:
- how you can be involved
- what your baby needs right now
- what you can do to support your baby's development and wellbeing.
It is normal to feel like there is a lot of information to take in.
You can ask healthcare staff to:
- explain things in plain language
- repeat information if needed
- provide written information or diagrams
- use an interpreter if English is not your preferred language.
You may also want to ask:
- What is happening now?
- What happens next?
- What you should expect in the coming days or weeks?
- Who to contact if you have questions.
Looking after yourself when your baby is receiving extra care
Having a baby in a neonatal unit can bring many emotions.
You may feel:
- worried
- frightened
- uncertain
- overwhelmed
- exhausted.
These feelings are common. Looking after yourself is an important part of caring for your baby.
Support is available through:
- parent support groups such as Life’s Little Treasures and Miracle Babies
- peer support from other parents and families who have had a baby in a neonatal unit
- social workers
- counselling services
- Aboriginal health workers
- multicultural support services.
Donor milk
Donor milk is breastmilk provided by another lactating woman. This may be through a regulated milk bank or by private arrangement.
Donor milk for sick and preterm babies
Pasteurised donor breast milk is donated breastmilk that has been screened and treated to reduce the risk of infection. In Australia, pasteurised donor milk is available for some babies born before 32 weeks' gestation or weighing less than 1,500 grams when their mother's own milk is not available or needs supplementation.
When a mother's own milk is unavailable, pasteurised donor breast milk is preferred to formula for these babies. It can support growth and reduce the risk of serious illness.
Learn more
Donated breast milk | Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Donor breastmilk and milk banks | Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Donor milk | Australian Breastfeeding Association
Going home from a neonatal unit
Before your baby goes home from a neonatal unit, their healthcare team will help you feel confident caring for them.
This may include:
- understanding your baby's care needs
- feeding and settling support
- learning about any medicines or equipment
- knowing when and where to seek help
- understanding follow-up appointments.
After you go home:
- follow-up care may be arranged with healthcare providers and clinics
- maternal and child health services can provide ongoing support
- support services and parent groups may be available in your community
- you can contact your healthcare team if you are unsure about any aspect of your baby's care.
Remember, you do not need to manage everything on your own. Support is available for you and your family as you adjust to life at home.
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