What is a neonatal unit?
A neonatal unit is a hospital ward that provides specialist medical and nursing care to newborn babies. Your baby may spend time on a neonatal unit if they are premature (born early), have low birth weight, or have health issues at birth such as breathing problems or infections.
The unit is staffed by a team of healthcare professionals including doctors (known as neonatologists or paediatricians), nurses, and other specialist trained staff including pharmacists, dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists. You may also meet staff such as a psychologist or volunteer peer supporters who can support you emotionally through your journey.
Neonatal units are equipped with specialist equipment to monitor and support your baby’s needs such as warmth and help with breathing and feeding. You can find out more about the equipment in our unit virtual tours.
A stay in neonatal care - An animated guide
Parents and guardians
As a parent or guardian, you will have unrestricted access to your baby and are encouraged to be present as much as possible to bond with and care for your baby. You will be supported to care for your baby at your pace, by way of feeding, nappy changes and skin-to-skin contact cuddles (Kangaroo Care).
We will have more information about caring for your baby on a neonatal unit available here soon.
Remember unit staff are there to support you as well as your baby. Don’t hesitate to ask the nurses and doctors anything - no question is too small. They're here to support you every step of the way.
There are different types of neonatal units
There are 12 neonatal units in different hospitals around the South West region. Each neonatal unit provides the appropriate care based on the individual baby’s care needs. The different types of neonatal units are:
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Transitional care is for babies who are well enough to be cared for next to their mum (or other carer) with support from the hospital staff. This can look different in each hospital. Transitional care can be on a transitional care ward, as part of a postnatal ward or in a room on the neonatal unit.
Some babies who have been born between 34 weeks gestation and full term with mild jaundice or feeding problems, will get the care they need in this way. Parents and babies that have been on the neonatal unit, may go to the transitional care for sometime before going home. If you are readmitted into care from home in their first few days of life ,this is where you and your baby may be cared for
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Provides care for babies who need extra support but not on-going intensive care or high dependency care. This may include babies born after 32 weeks or with mild health issues like feeding problems or jaundice.
Southwest SCBUs are in Barnstaple, Yeovil and Torbay
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Offers care for all babies from special care through to intensive care. Babies may be admitted to a NICU from 22 weeks gestation to full term, including those who have complex medical needs requiring long term respiratory support, specialist care or surgery.
Southwest NICUs are in Plymouth, Bristol - Southmead, and Bristol - St Michael’s. (St Michaels neonatal unit is the cardiac and surgical centre for the region)
Find out more about the neonatal units in our region, including a virtual tour
Arriving at the neonatal unit
All neonatal units can feel slightly different in how they run day-to-day, but many things will be the same. You will be welcomed by unit staff who will explain everything to you. If you are unsure about anything, please ask. Here are a some of the things you can expect:
Entry to the neonatal unit:
Most neonatal units have a buzzer at the door for a staff member to let you in. Some units have fingerprint access to the unit (staff will help you to set this up).
Remove outdoor clothing:
You will be asked to leave your outdoor clothing (coats, umbrellas etc) at the door where there will be a coat hook and/or lockers.
Hand washing:
You will need to wash your hands every time before entering the neonatal unit as we can carry germs on our hands that could be harmful for the babies. Staff members will show you how to do this.
Mobile phones:
Having your mobile phone can be useful so you can take lots of videos and photographs of you and your baby. Please keep your mobile phone on silent and be respectful of others around you when using your phone. You may be asked to take phone calls outside of the neonatal unit.
Smoking/Vaping:
You will need to change your clothes before entering or re-entering the neonatal unit after you have smoked or vaped to help protect your baby.
You can find more unit specific information such as parking, access to meals or overnight stay options by visiting your unit’s information page.
From bump to a baby in neonatal care
Walking into a neonatal care unit for the first time can feel a little scary, a world that possibly you didn’t even know existed. Units are made up of various pieces of equipment, dim lighting, clinical smells, beeping sounds and people. Everyone has their own job to do, nurses, doctors, consultants, office and support staff. All bustling around looking after and caring for poorly babies. Babies who have had problems at birth, babies who are sick and babies who have been born too early. It is a busy calm.
Know that everything happening around you is carefully designed by a team of people to give your baby the best possible care. If your baby needs more help, the team will adjust things when needed, ensuring they're in the right place for their condition. Each unit follows a routine structured by ward rounds, shift changes, and mealtimes; this may feel strange at first but will soon become familiar and maybe even soothing.
Usually your baby will have a consultant and nurse who is your main point of contact but every member of medical staff will be kept updated on your babies needs and requirements. Ward rounds take place on a daily basis, this is where medical staff will make a plan for each baby on the unit for that day. This may include changes to medication, breathing equipment and feeding. The ward round is a really good time for you to ask questions to find out about your baby’s progress and any changes that are being made
Taking a virtual online tour of the neonatal unit may help to prepare you for what to expect. You can find virtual tours of all the Southwest units on our SW Neonatal Units page.
