Highest level of neonatal treatment available in Illinois
Expectant parents don’t typically plan on requiring neonatal intensive care. But when a child is born with complications, you can rest assured that our birthing centers have the advanced technology and capabilities necessary for even the most difficult situations. We’re home to level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) – the highest in Illinois for premature and critically ill infants – as well as special care and intermediate care nurseries.
Find a birthing center to learn about the neonatal intensive care we offer near you.
Comprehensive services for complex conditions 24/7
Our birthing center NICUs and nurseries are specially equipped and staffed to stabilize and provide intense care to critically ill infants, those who need surgery and those who need monitoring because of premature birth, low weight or other complications. We're here for you and your baby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our NICUs and nurseries offer:
- Extensive care using advanced technology for a full range of issues, including immature lungs, birth abnormalities, severe infections and respiratory failure.
- Multi-disciplinary teams made up of neonatologists, specialty care nurses, physical therapists, child life specialists and other leading experts.
- Encouragement for parents to spend as much time with their newborns as possible to promote normal development and bonding. Many of our locations also practice kangaroo care, or healing through skin-to-skin contact between mother or father and baby.
- Partnerships with our nationally recognized Advocate Children's Hospital.
Kangaroo care for premature babies
There may be nothing more powerful than a mother's touch when it comes to nurturing her newborn child. Kangaroo care at many of our locations uses that special connection to foster healing for premature babies. While the fragile newborn receives specialized care in one of our NICUs or nurseries, mom plays an active role through skin-to-skin contact.
Kangaroo care is skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby (dads can practice kangaroo care, too). The premature newborn is placed upright on the mother's bare chest with just a blanket covering the baby's back and the mother.
Parents who regularly "kangaroo" their preemie for at least 60 minutes will help to deliver and receive the following benefits:
- Improved sleep quality: Helping preemies fall into a longer period of restful, deep sleep is essential for brain development.
- Regulated body temperature: The mother's body temperature naturally adjusts to warm the baby up or cool him or her down, depending on what the baby needs.
- Stabilization of vital signs: The infant's heart rate stabilizes, breathing patterns become normal and oxygen saturation levels improve.
- Increased milk supply: Moms typically experience an increased breast milk supply, and breast milk is critical to improving a preemie's health and brain development.
- Enhanced parenting confidence: Parents of preemies often feel like visitors as they helplessly watch others care for their newborn, who is connected to machines and tubes. Kangaroo care builds parents' confidence and makes them feel empowered as they bond with their newborn.
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