Finding us early in your NICU journey means we can offer steadfast support and strength for you, your family, and your little ones. Grasping the concept of a feeding tube can be overwhelming, especially when faced with a flood of new information. It's normal to wonder about the future or if your baby will always need a feeding tube. You might have gotten a "wait and see" response from your medical team to such questions. While this might seem frustrating or vague, rest assured, it's not out of disregard for your worries. Typically, NICU babies start with a feeding tube until they're strong enough to do without it, and that can be scary. NICU babies consistently show incredible resilience, but it does take time to see what the future holds for your child. 

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The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a dedicated area within a hospital exclusively for newborns. Babies in the NICU are typically premature, face health challenges, experienced a difficult delivery, or a combination thereof. The NICU team consists of specially trained pediatricians known as neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and nurses skilled in infant intensive care. Additionally, many NICUs include social workers, nutritionists, therapists, and pharmacists to offer comprehensive care and support to families. Parents often have numerous questions regarding their and their baby's NICU experience.

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In the NICU, one of the first things parents often observe is the rigorous hand-washing protocol that health care professionals and family members adhere to upon entering the patient care area. This practice is crucial for protecting the patients from infections. Since babies are particularly susceptible to infections due to their underdeveloped immune systems at birth, everyone in the NICU is diligent about hand hygiene to safeguard against infections, and health care professionals typically wear gloves when handling your baby.​​

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A primary objective of NICU care is to shield infants from pain and foster positive bonding with parents. Nurses receive specialized training to reduce the discomfort infants may endure during blood draws or other procedures. Equally crucial is the infant's interaction with and support from their parents in the NICU. This is often facilitated through skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, where parents hold and touch their baby. Skin-to-skin care offers numerous advantages for infants, such as boosting the mother's breast milk production, improving the baby's sleep quality, and alleviating pain during medical procedures.​

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In the NICU, breast milk is the recommended nutrition for infants as it contains antibodies that combat infections and promotes growth. Some infants may start breastfeeding immediately, while others might initially require bottle or tube feeding. Mothers unable to breastfeed can express milk for their babies, and in cases where breast milk production is not possible, donated breast milk is often an accessible option.​

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A frequent question among parents is the duration of their baby's stay in the NICU. A full-term infant with mild breathing issues, jaundice, or an infection typically requires a stay of a few days to a week. Infants born extremely prematurely, around 23 to 25 weeks of gestation, usually have the longest NICU stays, often until their projected due date of 40 weeks. Those born after 30 weeks of gestation generally have shorter stays and often go home 2 to 6 weeks prior to their due date.​

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After a stay in the NICU, many parents are uncertain about what to expect when bringing their baby home. Transitioning from the highly monitored environment of the NICU to home can be daunting. While home monitors or alarms are generally not recommended for safety or usefulness, the NICU team will guide parents on how to ensure their baby's safety and health at home, including the practice of safe sleep, like placing the baby on their back. Some infants may need special follow-up appointments to track their progress after the NICU, while others may only need to see their primary care doctor. Most infants who spend time in the NICU go on to lead fulfilling, high-quality, and joyful lives.

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Occasionally, parents might need to bring their baby home from the NICU with a feeding tube. Various circumstances can lead to this situation, and the medical care team is prepared to address any questions or concerns regarding the care of your child with a feeding tube. They will also provide connections to resources that can offer support at home.