Neonatal Information

Examining your Baby

The new-born babies usually go to the Postnatal Ward with you. Your baby will be examined and may require special supervision of feeds and monitoring of the blood sugar. Vitamin K is routinely given to all babies to reduce the risk of bleeding.  Over the next couple of days baby may develop jaundice and this will be monitored with blood tests if necessary. Before going home your baby will have a final examination and assessment

All babies over 72 hours will have blood taken by heel prick for screening for metabolic disorders and this blood is taken onto a special card known as a PKU card. If your baby is well and of an appropriate size he/she may have BCG immunisation before going home. However, if your baby is in the Neonatal centre  Unit he will not be eligible for this before discharge home.

The hospital runs a Baby Clinic which will see babies by appointment Monday - Friday.

When you are going home you will be offered a six week check-up appointment for your baby so if you nave any concerns or questions It is a good idea to have them jotted down so that you can ask the doctor about them Some babies - particularly those who have been in the Special Care Baby Unit - may need to return after this examination for further review and sometimes need to attend the Physiotherapy Department.

We do hope that whatever contact you have with the Paediatric Department will be a happy and memorable one and a member ot the team will always be willing to answer any queries you may have.

Neonatal Centre

The Neonatal Centre, known as ‘The Baby Unit’, is located on the second floor of the hospital. It is a 33-cot facility where babies born prematurely or who are ill receive special and intensive care treatment. Highly skilled and dedicated nursing and medical staff work there using the most modern and advanced technology. Depending on the severity of an illness a baby may require treatment in the Baby Unit for hours, days, weeks or even months. Mothers who are at risk of delivering a premature or sick infant are encouraged to visit the Baby Unit, along with their partners, prior to the expected delivery. They will be taken on a tour of the Unit and shown equipment that may be used in the care of their baby. Most couples who have made this visit agree that it is invaluable in alleviating the stress associated with unfamiliar surroundings if the need for their Baby’s admission arises.

Thorough hand washing is essential for all upon entering the Baby Unit.

While a baby is in the Baby Unit parents are asked to provide their own nappies, clothes and towels. Limited accommodation is available for parents wishing to stay overnight if they have a very sick baby or for a Mother who is breastfeeding and is no longer an in-patient.

Visiting

Visiting in the Neonatal Centre is restricted to parents, grandparents and brothers and sisters of the sick infant. Between 1400 and 1500 hours everyday visiting is further restricted to ensure that babies enjoy a time of quietness and rest. This is known as the ‘Siesta Time’. Noise level is kept to a minimum and the lights are dimmed

If you wish to breastfeed your baby while he/she is in the Baby Unit or on the Postnatal Ward with you, every help and encouragement will be given to you over the early days to help and encourage you. However, if your baby is very small he/she may require additional feeding until strong enough or until your supply is available to ensure an adequate intake for him/her.

Education

The Coombe Women’s Hospital is a teaching hospital. On-going education in the Neonatal Centre includes courses in Special and Intensive Nursing Care of the Newborn and the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Programme. Medical students from Trinity College Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College Dublin spend part of their obstetric rotation in the Neonatal Centre.

Useful Links

Paediatric Points of interest

CSMC Paediatrics Home Page

University of Washington School of Medicine - Dept. of Paediatrics

Neonatology on the Web

PEDINFO Home Page