About neonatal care

Parents and baby

Information for your first few days in the neonatal unit. Read about what to expect, finding your feet, and how to get more support.

Dad changing his premature babies nappy

About neonatal care - a quick guide

This page contains brief answers to some of the questions you may have about neonatal care, or for when you arrive on a neonatal unit.
Dad skin to skin 2

When you first arrive on the neonatal unit

Our 'About neonatal care' section contains lots of information and guidance to help you understand neonatal care and navigate your first few days on a neonatal unit.
A mum holding her baby while the baby is attached to some wires

What is neonatal care?

This page contains information to help you understand what neonatal care is and why your baby might be in neonatal care.
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How does neonatal care work?

It can be confusing to understand your baby’s level of care. Here, we talk about the different levels of care neonatal units provide.
Dad skin to skin

Care on the unit

This page talks about how babies are cared for on units and daily routines.
Parents and feeding

Being a parent on the neonatal unit

This page contains lots of guidance and advice about how you can help to care for your baby with the neonatal team, how you can bond with your baby while on the unit,…
Mum and staff

Neonatal staff and what they do

This page talks about the different members of the neonatal care team, and provides some suggestions for questions you can ask them about your baby's care.
Quote parents around incubator

Equipment on the neonatal unit

We hear from parents that the equipment on the neonatal unit can seem overwhelming when you first arrive. In this page, we explain what some of the equipment looks…
Photo of an ambulance outside a hospital

Transferring your baby to another hospital

Transferring a baby born premature or sick to another hospital is quite common. Units are very used to moving babies and will help you through the process.
Nurse and incubator

Tests and care your baby might be given

This page explains some of the tests, scans and care given to babies in a neonatal unit. For any test or treatment your baby may need, health professionals will talk…
Dad and sibling

Support for you and your family

This page gives more information about how you and your family can be supported in your first few days on the neonatal unit.
A parent holding their premature baby's foot.

What might happen next?

This page can answer some of the questions you might have about the next steps of your journey.
Quote baby holding dads finger

Words you might hear on the neonatal unit

This page contains a guide to help you understand some of the common words and terms you might hear while on a neonatal unit.
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The information in this section is due for review November 2025.

About neonatal care - acknowledgements and references