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PREVENT INFECTION |
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Washbasin |
For the safety of your own baby and all the others in the
NICU, you should always wash your hands on entering the NICU, and spray
with the disinfectant hand spray; whether you are planning on touching
your baby or not, since many infections can be spread
unknowingly in various ways. It is in the best interest of your baby's
health that you keep to these "rules" and thereby minimise the risk for
unnecessary infections. |
Disinfectant Hand spray |
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INCUBATORS |
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Open incubator / Overhead Crib |
During the first few days, your baby will probably be on an
open overhead crib, a warmed bed that has enough space for all the
pipes and wires and provides easy access to the baby. Once your baby is
stable enough she will be transferred into a closed incubator until she
is able to maintain her own temperature at 36,5 – 37,5 degrees Celsius.
Some babies are in closed incubators from birth, depending on the NICU
policy. |
Closed Incubator |
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POSITIONING |
|
Nesting |
Your premature baby should be positioned in a way, which is
similar to the womb environment. She is provided with boundaries to
support flexion and allow her to put her hands to her mouth/face, which
help her to self-regulate. This method of positioning is known as
"nesting". |
Nesting |
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BASIC CARE EQUIPMENT |
|
Basic Care Equipment |
Baby with Socks |
Baby with Woollen Cap |
| |
You will require a few basic care items for any new baby
after birth. It may include nappies, cotton wool swabs, alcohol (to
clean the umbilical cord) and bum cream.
Body heat is easily lost through your baby's head and a woollen or
cotton hat or beanie should be worn to help her maintain her
temperature. Some babies may wear socks, however after birth, all babies
have cold hands and feet, since they send blood (which carry oxygen and
glucose) to the important organs such as the heart, brain and lungs
resulting in cold hands and feet. |
| MONITORS |
Cardiac Monitor |
A cardiac monitor is used to monitor the baby's heart rate, breathing, saturation and blood pressure.
A saturation probe is attached to one of the limbs to monitor the oxygen levels in the blood. This is usually maintained at 88% to 92% when the baby is receiving oxygen and more than 96% in room air. It may also vary according to height above sea level. |
Saturation Probe |
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Temperature Probe & Cardiac Stickers |
A temperature probe is attached to the baby's tummy or back to regulate the temperature provided by the incubator.
An apnoea mattress/monitor is used to notify you if the baby stops breathing once she is in a closed incubator or open crib |
Apnoea Mattress |
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DRIPS |
|
Drip (intravenous infusion) |
Splint |
Infusion Pump |
| Drips can be put on any limb or on the head. Some
doctors prefer Broviac catheters. This is a drip placed into a central
vein. Splints are used to keep the drip from occluding and infusion
pumps are used to regulate the flow of medicine and drips |
| PHOTOTHERAPY |
"Sunglasses" for phototherapy |
Babies with jaundice receive phototherapy and their eyes are covered to protect them from the possible damaging light. |
Phototherapy in closed incubator |
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OXYGEN EQUIPMENT |
|
Oxygen - Nasal Canula |
Premature babies usually need some help with breathing and
depending on their condition they will receive oxygen via nasal canula
or a headbox or they can be placed on CPAP - a machine that helps to
keep the lungs open. A ventilator or oscillator is a machine that
breaths for the baby. |
Baby on CPAP |
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Ventilator |
|
Oscillator |
