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To translate this padlet into other languages, please click the 3 dots to the right hand side above! Then click the language you would like and press save!

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Getting to know your baby through what they see

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Getting to know your baby through what they see

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Being Involved in Your Baby's Care & Procedures

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Being Involved in Your Baby's Care & Procedures

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This is a helpful link to look at all the ways you can be involved in your baby's care.

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Being involved in your baby’s care and procedures | Bliss

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Information on being involved in your baby’s care and procedures on the neonatal unit. Read about procedures in neonatal care, the role of parents in comfort and pain relief and working together with the neonatal care team.

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Please have a look at our St Peter's Mission Statement.

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Bliss supports families with premature babies - this is a useful guide on recognising developmental milestones.

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We know many parents worry about their baby’s development and want to find out more.

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Supporting Your Child After a NICU Stay - School (Bliss)

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Supporting Your Child After a NICU Stay - School (Bliss)

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Supporting your child when they start school | Bliss

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How can I support my premature child when they start primary school? Whether you delay, defer, or send your child to primary school based on their birth date, it is always helpful to understand how you can support their transition.

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Parent Information - Neonatal Network South East

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KSS Parent Advisory Group - more information

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KSS Parent Advisory Group - more information

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KSS Parent Advisory Group - Neonatal Network South East

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Knowing that your baby is more likely to need to spend some time in neonatal care can feel frightening. Your baby may need neonatal care if they are born premature (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), have a low birth weight, or have a medical condition which will need treatment.

This page has some more information about ways to prepare yourself before your baby is born, and will help you find more information and support.

Preparing yourself

We have listed below some things you may want to do to prepare yourself. Some of these tips have been suggested to us by parents who have had a baby in neonatal care. These are just ideas and you should only do what you feel comfortable with.

Visit the neonatal unit

You may be offered a tour of the neonatal unit in advance. This will help you to understand what to expect when you arrive on the unit and will help you to find your way around.

This is a good opportunity to find out how you are going to travel to and from the neonatal unit.

You should also be introduced to some of the staff on the neonatal unit and what they do, the facilities and equipment. You may want to ask about any parent support groups available.

Some units will offer a virtual tour of their neonatal unit if you are unable to visit in person beforehand, or some written information about the unit.

Our information about neonatal care is also a great place to start for general information about the different levels of neonatal care, tests, equipment, and support available.

You may want to read our page about looking after your baby on the neonatal unit, which has more information about why being involved in your baby's care is important and ways that you can be involved when your baby is born.

Ask questions

It is always important to ask questions if you have any, and write things down so you don't forget them. It is always okay to ask again if you do not understand any part of your baby's treatment or care.

You could make a list of what you would like to ask before pregnancy and scan appointments.

Find out more information

If your baby has been diagnosed with a genetic or congenital condition that means they are likely to need neonatal care, you may want to do some research about the condition.

It may also be helpful to do this if you or your partner have been diagnosed with a condition that means that you or they are more likely to have a baby born premature or sick.

If doctors think that there is a risk that your baby will be born premature, doctors may give treatment  which aims to prevent premature birth.

Tommy's have some more information about these treatments. Speak to your consultant if you are unsure what they mean or if you want some more information.

It is important that you get information from reliable sources. We have signposted to websites below that produce high-quality, reliable, and up-to-date information.
You can also email us at hello@bliss.org.uk for more guidance.
Talk to other parents

Some parents may find it useful to talk to other parents who have had a baby in neonatal care.

Our Facebook page is a great way to interact with other parents.

You might want to look at some of the stories on our website to read the experiences of other parents. We also spoke to some parents about what advice they would share for people who know their baby will need care in NICU, or for people currently going through the NICU experience.

Pack a hospital bag

You may want to think about packing a hospital bag for you and your baby. Many neonatal units will have their own clothes and blankets, but you will be able to bring your own too.

Most units will ask parents to bring in items such as nappies and cotton wool. This is different between units, so do ask the staff on the unit first what would be good to bring.

How you might be feeling

If you know that your baby is more likely to spend some time in neonatal care, the unknown and uncertain can feel difficult.

Some parents describe the feelings they experience as like being an emotional rollercoaster, feeling excitement and joy one minute and worry the next.
This is normal, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. If you have questions or are looking for support, either before or after your baby is born, you can email us on hello@bliss.org.uk
Many neonatal units have emotional support services for parents who have a baby in neonatal care.

If you decide to have a tour around the neonatal unit, this may be a good time to ask the staff on the unit about the emotional support available, such as counselling or support groups.

You may want to ask staff on the unit if there is a Bliss Champion available. Bliss Champions are trained volunteers who offer emotional support and practical information to parents who have a baby on a neonatal unit.

You can also book an online appointment with one of our Bliss Champions before your baby is born. You can arrange an appointment with a Bliss Champion and find out more information about our support.
Even if you think you might not need it, it is always good to know what support is available.
Useful organisations

Action on pre-eclampsia supports families affected by pre-eclampsia.

Antenatal Results and Choices has information and support for parents about antenatal screening and its consequences. They have a helpline that you can call on 020 7713 7486 or you can email info@arc.uk.org

CDH UK provides information, emotional and practical support to families with a baby with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Diabetes UK have some useful information about diabetes and pregnancy, and also has a group specifically for questions and discussions on this topic.

Mind has lots of information about perinatal mental health, including information for partners.

has lots of information about different medical conditions.

Rainbow Trust provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. They have specific neonatal support workers who can support families on neonatal units.

Together for Short Lives has emotional support and information for families caring for a seriously ill child.

Tommy'sprovide information and support for pregnant people and their families, including information about complications during pregnancy.

Twins Trust provides information and support to families of multiple births. You can call their Twinline on 0800 138 0509 or email asktwinline@twinstrust.org

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If you have been told that your baby is likely to need to spend some time in neonatal care, find out more about what you can do to prepare.

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Being Involved in your Baby's Procedures on NICU

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Being Involved in your Baby's Procedures on NICU

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Nell & the Neonatal unit is a free app for families to use, suitable for children aged 3-8 years. This helps them to familiarise themselves with the noises on NICU and helps them understand the NICU journey by learning through play.

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Please follow the link if you would like to apply for free nappies from Tescos & Pampers.

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Pampers is committed to happy and healthy development of all babies, donating our smallest nappies to provide skin comfort and protection to the smallest babies

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Please follow the link if you would like to apply for free sleepsuits for preterm babies.

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Tesco launches free F&F Premature Sleepsuits to support families with babies born early

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The free sleepsuits are available when parents or carers pick up their first collection of nappies.

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We want babies and their families to receive the best possible care. We want to know what’s working well and what could be better. Your experiences and stories help us improve and shape future care.

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CS58789 UHS Had a baby in neonatal care_A3 poster_v4

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Consent - What you should know about your baby's stay on NICU 

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Consent - What you should know about your baby's stay on NICU 

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Please read through this poster to look at the different types of consent, and help you know what you may be asked to give your consent to.

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It is normal to have mixed feelings about going home. You may feel excited to bring your baby home. You may also feel worried about caring for them without the support of the unit. Both feelings are very common.

This leaflet signposts you to support available.

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Support for the journey between conception to care.

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If you have excess breast milk, and would like to donate some to our Milk Bank, please use this link to read more and apply!

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Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in north Surrey.

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St Peter's Hospital is proud to offer a virtual group dedicated to teaching you how to introduce solid foods to your premature baby. If you meet our referral criteria, you will automatically be invited to attend when your baby is 4 months corrected age.

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Please click the link to request access to your baby's notes: Access to Health Records

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Having a sibling in neonatal care can be an incredibly stressful time for a child. The disruption in routine, the financial, physical, and emotional strain on the family can evoke a strong emotional response in siblings. It is important to involve your other children in what’s happening, and talking to them about how they, and you, are feeling.

We welcome siblings of the baby/ies on NICU between 10am-10pm every day.

All siblings need to be supervised by a parent at all times. When a sibling visits, a maximum of 3 people can stay at the cot side, depending on how busy the Nursery is at that time.

It is important that there is some preparation for what the environment will look like.

Take time to describe what the NICU looks like, talk about photos, and discuss the sensory environment. Describe what they will be able to do during the visit; the need to wash hands, how they may read a book, help with cares or hold their sibling.

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Currently, we do not have any family accommodation onsite -our parents’ accommodation is only for parents or a nominated partner.  Some families use local hotels so that they can stay close. However, children can also find their own home and their own routine quite reassuring when there is a lot of change and uncertainty. You will know your child best and so it is important to make a choice as a family.

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What can I do if my child is struggling?

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What can I do if my child is struggling?

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Having a new baby is often a big adjustment for most siblings, but having a sibling in NICU is an even bigger adjustment, which may be accompanied by a lot of worry.  Therefore, it is quite ordinary for siblings to struggle emotionally, or for parents to sometimes see behaviours re-emerge that their child used to do.

We have a family support worker, and a child psychotherapist who spend some time in the unit. We also have a link with a play specialist in the hospital, so please let a member of staff know and one of the team can speak to you about your worries. We may be able to arrange some craft activities with the family support worker, or a session with the psychotherapist.

It is usually helpful to let your child’s school/nursery know that your new baby is in the NICU so that teaching staff who are familiar to your child are able to support your child at school. Sometimes children find it easier to talk to someone outside of the family about any worries, as they may fear upsetting a parent or family member.

Allowing your child to express the range of feelings that they may have about your new baby is helpful, as this helps them to feel understood and to process what is happening.  Younger children sometimes like to do this through play or drawings. At times you may find it upsetting to hear what they are saying as children can ask questions much more directly. If this is happening it is important that you also get some support yourself.

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It tends to be unhelpful to say too much about your baby’s medical condition, as your child will not need to know medical details. Younger children are often preoccupied by a particular question or detail that may not enter an adult’s mind, and so it is important to let them ask any questions that they may have. We would encourage you to be led by your child – if they are asking questions feel free to answer, but if they are not asking questions, don’t feel that you need to keep telling them information. They may prefer to talk about a TV programme or what happened in school that day, which does not mean that they don’t care, but may need to stay connected with their ordinary life outside hospital.

Your child may find it difficult if they have in a mind a date that you will be home, and it is later changed so it is important to be as honest as possible – even if you do not have an answer to some of the questions that your child is asking. Children can find it reassuring to hear that the doctors and the nurses and the rest of the team are looking after your baby, and they are talking to you about your baby and that you are all making a plan together for your baby.

Children may worry that you are also ill if you are in hospital, so it can be helpful to clarify this for them. Children may also worry that you like your new baby more than them, and that is why

you are staying in hospital with your new baby. It can be helpful to acknowledge that worry and explain the reasons that you may need to remain in hospital.

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Can I bring my older children to visit my baby?

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Can I bring my older children to visit my baby?

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Yes, siblings are welcome to visit NICU and meet their new baby brother or sister. It can be helpful to prepare them for the hospital environment – you can show them an online tour which is on the website St Peter’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or there is an episode of Bluey (Bluey - Series 1: 40. Early Baby - BBC iPlayer) about a baby that goes to NICU (linked below). You may like to face time with them before they visit so they have an idea of what the NICU looks like before coming.

It may be helpful to acknowledge that they may have mixed feelings about coming to the hospital and reassure them that this is very usual. If a child is clear that they do not want to visit, or finds it very distressing it may be better to wait until they are ready. In our experience this does not often tend to be the case. Most older children will not necessarily know what to expect a newborn baby to look like, and so sometimes they ask less questions than parents fear.

Younger children tend to only be able to manage shorter visits and so may need a few favourite activities with them to do when they are not in the nursery. There are some toys in the lounge that they are free to use, and you should be given a sibling pack by a member of staff, with a book and some activities including colouring.

There is also an app that has been developed for siblings of babies in NICU called NELL – that some families may find helpful to use.

Older children are also likely to be missing you, especially if you are still an inpatient, and so you are also welcome to spend some time with your child in the lounge area.

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For many of our families, your baby or babies that have been admitted to NICU, already have siblings.  This can be difficult having to think about the needs of your new baby on a neonatal unit, as well as the needs of your older children. You may be unsure about how to talk to your older child about your baby, and their admission in NICU. These are some of the common questions parents ask:

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Parent Information about the Neonatal Network 

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Parent Information about the Neonatal Network 

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Parent Information - Neonatal Network South East

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Neonatal Care Leave and Pay: Guidance and FAQs | Bliss

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The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 – a new leave and pay entitlement for parents with a baby in neonatal care – comes into effect in England, Scotland and Wales on 6 April 2025.

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Explaining to a Sibling - Bluey NICU Episode

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Explaining to a Sibling - Bluey NICU Episode

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The cartoon series Bluey has released an episode on having a premature baby - this can help to explain to siblings in an understandable and relatable way via a much loved cartoon!

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Bluey’s playgroup is at odds when Indy’s baby hospital collides with Rusty’s knights and dragons. But in explaining themselves, they both find that their games actually have a lot in common.

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Bliss can offer support via video call for any family - please find more information by clicking the link.

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When you need someone to talk to, we’re here. Our Bliss Champion volunteers are available for a one-to-one conversation via video call.

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A guide to bottle feeding, including sterilising and preparing formula.

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NICU Psychological Support at St Peter's

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NICU Psychological Support at St Peter's

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Please look at this leaflet for further information about our specialist psychological support for NICU families at St Peter's.

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A map of our region can be viewed on this website and is also displayed on our Transport board.

There are also links to the 3D tours of all neonatal units within the South East Neonatal network. For specialist surgical and cardiac centres outside our Network, we have posted links to their Neonatal unit website pages below.

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Within the South East region, there are two neonatal operational delivery networks, Thames Valley and Wessex, and Kent, Surrey and Sussex, consisting of 27 provider units. Both networks are overseen by their respective senior management team.

This map shows both networks within our region and the units within them. It also highlights which units are Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) (with/without surgery), Local Neonatal Units (LNUs) and Special Care Units (SCUs).

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Our region - Neonatal Network South East

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Within the South East region, there are two neonatal operational delivery networks, Thames Valley and Wessex, and Kent, Surrey and Sussex, consisting of 27 provider units. Both networks are overseen by their respective senior management team. This map shows both networks within our region and the units within them.

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Who We Are - Kent Surrey and Sussex Network

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Who We Are - Kent Surrey and Sussex Network

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What is the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Network - click this link to find out more!

A map of our region can be viewed on this website and is also displayed on our Transport board.

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Thames Valley and Wessex ODN

The Thames Valley and Wessex (TVW) neonatal ODN covers an area where there are approximately 60,000 births each year. Across TVW there are 13 acute trusts and 14 hospitals delivering neonatal care.

The ODN area is not coterminous with commissioning areas, Local Maternity Neonatal Systems (LMNS) or even Trusts, as neonatal pathways cross boundaries.

Milton Keynes General Hospital sits within the East of England commissioning footprint however the neonatal clinical pathway for tertiary level care is Oxford that sits within the TVW ODN.

Salisbury, Dorchester and Poole sit in the south west commissioning hub, but have tertiary care and neonatal surgical pathways that flow into Southampton so sit within TVW ODN.

Wexham Park and St Richards, Chichester sit in TVW ODN but other neonatal units within their Trusts (Frimley Park and Worthing) have neonatal tertiary care pathways that sit in KSS neonatal ODN.

Neonatal surgical pathways are within the ODN with a neonatal surgical centre at Oxford and neonatal surgical and cardiac surgical centre at Southampton. TVW ODN is also the provider of choice for babies from the Channel Islands for a small number of babies who often have extended periods of neonatal care prior to repatriation due to geographical and local island care restraints.

TVW neonatal transport is provided by the Southampton Oxford Neonatal Transport service (SONeT), a dedicated team of specialist neonatal nurses and doctors. You can find out more about the service on the SONeT website.

Kent Surrey and Sussex ODN

The Kent Surrey and Sussex ODN supported by NHS England (NHSE) is hosted by Medway NHS Foundation Trust. There are 13 neonatal units in the network working collaboratively to provide care for our babies and their families.

The ODN area is not coterminous with commissioning areas, Local Maternity Neonatal systems (LMNS) or even Trusts as neonatal pathways cross boundaries.

Frimley Health Foundation Trust has 2 local neonatal units, Frimley Park which sits in KSS network and Wexham Park which sits in TVW network. They have different tertiary centre pathways within their own ODN.

University Hospitals Sussex has 1 NICU and 3 SCU all of which sit in KSS apart from St Richards Hospital in Chichester which sits in the TVW network and has tertiary pathways within TVW.

Neonatal surgery is provided within the ODN at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and also externally at St George's Hospital, Evelina Hospital, King's College Hospital and Southampton University Hospital.

KSS neonatal transport is provided by a dedicated team of specialist neonatal nurses and doctors. You can find out more about the service on our Transport Service webpage.

Structure and Governance

Each network has a formal governance and accountability structure. The networks regularly report to NHS England to monitor service and clinical quality against national standards, and the progress of agreed national, regional and local programmes of work.

We are committed to working in partnership with parents, families and staff to deliver, develop and improve neonatal services across the region. The parent voice is embedded within our networks with the inclusion of a Parent & Family Engagement Lead within each network team. The network Parent Advisory Groups are also pivotal in providing service user insight into projects, workstreams and guidance.

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Who we are - Neonatal Network South East

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The Thames Valley and Wessex (TVW) neonatal ODN covers an area where there are approximately 60,000 births each year. Across TVW there are 13 acute trusts and 14 hospitals delivering neonatal care. The ODN area is not coterminous with commissioning areas, Local Maternity Neonatal Systems (LMNS) or even Trusts, as neonatal pathways cross boundaries.

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Learn how to give little “Immune Boosters” to your baby!

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How to clean and sterilise your Expressing Kit

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Your breastmilk is medicine for your baby, and expressing is one of the most valuable things you can do for your baby while they are on NICU.

Please ask your Neonatal Nurse or a member of the Infant Feeding Team for support with expressing.

We are here to help you.

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Welcome to Neopedia: Neonatal Care Explained

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Discover Neopedia, your go-to resource for neonatal care information, offering guidance for both parents and healthcare professionals to navigate the world of neonatal health.

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Bliss Baby Charity is a charity to support parents and families of premature or sick babies. They have lots of valuable information for families during and after their NICU stay.

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Going home from the neonatal unit leaflet

Download now
This information has been written to help parents with any questions they might have when their baby is ready to leave the neonatal unit.

This guide explains how to prepare for life at home as a new family, what support is available to parents and what to do if their baby becomes unwell.

Weaning card

Download now
A double-sided A5 info card to give to parents with top tips on weaning your premature baby.

You could also direct parents to the weaning information on our website (or tell them to search on the Bliss site for 'weaning').

Weaning your premature baby

Download now

Our guide to help parents introduce their premature baby to solid foods.

You could also direct parents to the weaning information on our website (or tell them to search on the Bliss site for 'weaning').

Common infectious illnesses

Download now

Information for parents about common infectious illnesses, how you can help prevent your baby catching them, and what to do if you're worried about your baby's health.

You could also direct parents to the common infectious illnesses info on our website (or tell them to search on the Bliss site for 'common infectious illnesses').

Look at me - I'm talking to you

Download now
An A5 information guide about watching and understanding signals and cues from a premature baby.

Translated from the French publication Je vous parle, regardez-moi! Produced by SPARADRAP.

Skin to skin with your premature baby

Download now
An A5 information guide to help parents do skin-to skin with a baby in neonatal care.

You could also direct parents to the skin-to-skin information on our website (or tell them to search on the Bliss site for 'skin-to-skin').

Getting involved info card

Download now
An A5 double sided info card giving parents tips on how to get involved in their baby's care on the unit.

You could also direct parents to the looking after your baby on the neonatal unit (or tell them to search on the Bliss site for 'looking after your baby' or 'family centred care').

Mental health info card

Download now
A double sided A5 info card giving parents tips on how to look after their mental health whilst on the neonatal unit.

You could also direct parents to the information on mental health on our website (or tell them to search on the Bliss site for 'mental health').

About neonatal care leaflet

Download now
This leaflet has been written especially to answer the questions parents might have when they first arrive on the unit.

It explains how neonatal care works, who parents might see on the unit, what the equipment does, the care their baby might get, and how they can parent their baby on the unit. It also has helpful ideas for getting more support, and places to write down questions parents might have, or notes on how they're feeling.

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Download now This information has been written to help parents with any questions they might have when their baby is ready to leave the neonatal unit. This guide explains how to prepare for life at home as a new family, what support is available to parents and what to do if their baby becomes unwell.

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Tinny Happy People- Bilingual Babies and talking multiple language at home

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Tinny Happy People- Bilingual Babies and talking multiple language at home

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Bilingual babies and speaking multiple languages at home - BBC Tiny Happy People

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Will hearing me speak more than one language confuse my child? Is the speech of bilingual children delayed? What language should I use at home? Tips for parents on introducing children to more than one language.

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Resources for parents on safe babywearing.

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This page contains various resources that may be useful for education and supporting others. Leaflets, posters and postcard packs can be purchased. Images and PDFs can be downloaded free of charge by clicking on the photos. Please ensure you credit me (Dr Rosie Knowles) if you use them.

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Educational resources for professionals; mental health, babywearing safety and more

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This page contains various resources that may be useful for education and supporting others. Leaflets, posters and postcard packs can be purchased. Images and PDFs can be downloaded free of charge by clicking on the photos. Please ensure you credit me (Dr Rosie Knowles) if you use them.

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A useful leaflet by the Lullaby Trust. A guide to buying safer sleep essentials.

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St Peter's NICU FiCare Star of the Month nominations

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St Peter's NICU FiCare Star of the Month nominations

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Please nominate a team or staff member from NICU who has shown great FiCare on St Peter's NICU.

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Please read this leaflet to find out more about the Parent Facilities available on NICU.

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APCP information for you baby with Downs Syndrome

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APCP information for you baby with Downs Syndrome

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Learning what your Newborn is saying to you

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Learning what your Newborn is saying to you

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Learn about your babies behaviour and cues.

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Learning What Your Newborn Is Saying

My Language

Right from birth and well before your baby speaks their first words, they are communicating with you through their behaviour. This communication can be as clear as a good loud cry or as subtle as a slight movement of their eyebrow. Think of all your baby's movements, expressions and responses as phrases they use to communicate with you- the unspoken words of their first language. Watch for, observe and interpret the meaning of your baby's signals and cues and you will soon become familiar with what they are saying and get to know them very well.

Window Into My World

Your baby's cues are completely trustworthy and authentic responses giving you information about what care they need and what they like and dislike. Unlike adults, there is no discrepancy between the feeling and its expression. Your baby cannot mask their feelings so what you observe you can trust unconditionally.

My Favourite Toy

Your baby not only knows your face and voice but also loves nothing more than connecting with you when they are in a quiet and alert state. They are much more engaged with your expressions and slow directed speech than they are in a toy. Have your face at a distance of around 10-18 inches. They will enjoy following your face and finding your voice- see their inborn hunger to connect with you.

Watch and Wait

When your baby's eyes are heavy or flicker open and closed, they are in a kind of 'no man's land' between sleep and wakefulness. As much as you would love to play, your baby is asking for you to wait for them during this transitional state. You will soon see if they are going back to sleep or ready to wake up.

Do Not Disturb

At this early stage, your baby will sleep for long periods in the day as they grow and develop rapidly. Your baby has an amazing ability to selectively tune out sounds and bright lights to preserve their sleep. They also appreciate your support in minimising disturbances in the environment.

Learning Emotions

Your baby feels validated and learns to understand how different emotions feel when you reflect those for them. When they have bright smiling eyes, beam back at them. When they are upset show them you sympathise with what is bothering them are ready to help.

Clever Me

Along with support from you, your baby has amazing inbuilt abilities to help himself/herself stay calm and organised; especially if they are beginning to feel a little overwhelmed from the environment and stimulation around them. Admire how focusing in on an object or the rhythmic suck of their hand calms them.

Grow My Brain

Your baby is exquisitely sensitive to your touch, words and affirmation. Every loving response and every social experience will leave imprints on their brain, major transformations at this time of rapid brain development. When your baby is in a quiet, alert state, take every opportunity to interact. You will be deepening their sense of security and laying the foundations of a relationship that will last a lifetime.

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Learning What Your Newborn Baby Is Saying - Brazelton Centre UK

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Right from birth and well before your baby speaks their first words, they are communicating with you through their behaviour. This communication can be as clear as a good loud cry or as subtle as a slight movement of their eyebrow.

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NICU Parent Feedback for Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Dietetics.

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NICU Parent Feedback for Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Dietetics.

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Human Behaviour and Sensory Recommendations on NICU

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Resources for nurturing sensory environment | Sensory Beginnings

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Resources for you in our nurturing sensory environment domains, to support your knowledge of the role of sensory processing.

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Hear from parents who have experienced a preterm birth, and Neonatal Care.

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From preterm birth to thriving baby - How NHS staff ensured the best start for little Luna

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Global Health Media - Multilingual Videos

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Global Health Media - Multilingual Videos

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The 'Care of Small Babies' videos provide valuable support for families - these are translatable into multiple different languages.

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Video Archive - Global Health Media Project

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Videos Archive - Global Health Media Project

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Caring for Your Baby At Night Unicef Resource

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Caring for Your Baby At Night Unicef Resource

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How do babies sleep? A safe resource on supporting sleep in babies.

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Research-based information on baby sleep for parents and practitioners, covering normal infant sleep, sleep safety, where and how babies sleep, SIDS and SUDI, parental sleep and free resources.

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Here at St Peter's, we routinely use breast milk fortifier to support the growth of preterm babies. This is introduced usually when babies reach a certain level of feeds, and provides extra protein to support their growth.

The above leaflet explains what BMF is.

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Breastfeeding your baby with Breast Milk Fortifier

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Breastfeeding your baby with Breast Milk Fortifier

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Food for Parents - please see the attached poster.

Hot food is available for all families resident in NICU.

All families are welcome to free cold meal when they would like them.

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The Family Matters Family Integrated Care Team

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The Family Matters Family Integrated Care Team

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Hear from parents and service users about our NICU.

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Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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The pregnancy and baby charity.

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Together, for every baby - Charity for Babies | Tommy’s

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Tommy’s is the largest UK pregnancy and baby loss charity, funding research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriage and providing trusted pregnancy and baby loss information and support.

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A useful checklist to ensure you are baby wearing in a safe and secure way.

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Lullaby Trust- Safer Sleep for Premature Babies

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Lullaby Trust- Safer Sleep for Premature Babies

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Safer sleep advice for preterm and low birth weight babies.

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Leaflet for Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy if your baby has been assessed and diagnosed with this by a physiotherapist.

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Leaflet for fixed talipes if your baby has been assessed and diagnosed with this by a physiotherapist.

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Leaflet for positional talipes (PTEV) if your baby has been assessed and diagnosed with this by a physiotherapist.

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As part of our Infection Control and Prevention, we would ask each family to watch this video on how to wash your hands effectively to protect your baby.

This technique should be used when decontaminating your hands with either alcohol gel or soap and water.

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Washing your hands is one of the simplest ways you can protect yourself and others from illnesses such as food poisoning and flu.

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New Release: Mental Health Support for NICU Parents (canopie.health)

The FREE Canopie App offers Mental Health Support for NICU parents undergoing a NICU stay:

24/7 practical support for your challenges

Made by experts & loved by parents

Listen, read, & watch short videos

Virtual classes & community support

A journal to process thoughts

For mum, dad, or caregiver

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Neonatal Canopie Patient - Referral Cards

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Please find these wonderful Neonatal Journey Cards in our reception area and do help yourself. There are cards that are specific to St Peter's, to add to packs from other hospitals your baby might have visited. There are also cards for different stages of yours and your baby's journey along their NICU stay.

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What is a Health Visitor and how will they help you post Discharge? 

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What is a Health Visitor and how will they help you post Discharge? 

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Health Visitors are a key resource in the community for all families - please read more about how they can help and support you post discharge. Our NCOT team will, when appropriate, hand your care over to your local Health Visitor.

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We are here to help families who are facing hardship, with children aged 0-18 years with practical items such as clothing, cots, bedding, buggies, etc.

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Community Debt Advice - expert free debt advice for those living in the Redhill area - www.cdamoney.org

Money helper - free impartial guidance surrounding finances - www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

Free School meal - eligibility checker - www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Citizens Advice - help with debt, financial support, and benefits - www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/get-help-with-the-cost-of-living

Step Change Debt Charity - independent debt counselling and debt management plans, no charge for the service - www.stepchange.org

Health and Welfare Hub - financial support and advice for Surrey residents - www.surreycc.gov.uk/health-and-welfare/support

Buttle - dedicated to helping children and young people in crisis in the UK - www.buttleuk.org

Surrey Crisis Fund - financial help to Surrey residents
who have nowhere else to turn in an
emergency or following a disaster - www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreycrisisfund

Turn2us - help for individuals to access benefits, charitable grants and support services, including a useful Benefits Calculator - www.turn2us.org.uk

Lightening Reach - connects families in financial hardship to apply for grants they may be entitled to - www.lightningreach.org

Sullivan's Heroes - funds home adaptions for children with additional needs - www.sullivansheroes.org

Family Fund - grants for families with children who have additional needs - www.familyfund.org.uk

Walton Charity - a direct grants programme that supports individuals and families in Elmbridge facing financial difficulty. The grant is to contribute to everyday essentials and bigger costs such as course fees and household items - www.waltoncharity.org.uk/direct-grants

Bank Workers Charity - support the health and wellbeing of current and former bank employees and their dependents or partners. Includes support with finances (subject to application and assessment), mental health, debt and money management, and housing - www.bwcharity.org.uk/about-us/our-support-services

Shelter - offers advice on housing issues and homelessness - www.england.shelter.org.uk

If you are living in a Housing Association property, they usually have specific teams to advise / support on housing issues, including financial support. Check their website for more information.

Home-Start - have branches of volunteer supporters across the UK and provide compassionate, confidential help and expert support to families with young children through home visits, group support and advice on parenting challenges - www.home-start.org.uk

Family Lives - free confidential information and advice surrounding parenting challenges such as, bullying, eating habits, discipline etc. - www.familylives.org.uk

Warm Hubs - places where people can enjoy a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy a hot drink, social activity, and receive information and advice - www.surreycc.gov.uk

Binti - period dignity, making period products to those that need them. Collection boxes where residents can help themselves to pads if needed, in locations (such as libraries) across Surrey - www.surreycc.gov.uk/health-and-welfare/period-dignity#locations

Surrey Family Information Service - directory of advice, support and information
on a range of subjects such as family activities, holiday clubs and support groups - www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/families

Surrey Care Trust - provides opportunities for parents to undertake courses, adults wanting to learn new skills, children who are struggling at school to undertake programs / mentoring, free counselling for ages 16-25 years - www.surreycaretrust.co.uk

Welcare Family Centre (Redhill) - provides emotional and practical support to families experiencing temporary or longterm challenges in East Surrey - www.welcare.org/ask-for-support/do-you-need-help

The Red Oak Family Centre (Merstham) - provides a friendly place where families can come to access advice and support, as well as a wide range of activities to help make a positive difference to families with children under age 11 - www.theredoak.org.uk

YMCA Family Centre (Horley) - provide advice, information, family support, courses and activities - www.ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk/about-us/our-centres/horley

Epsom Downs Family Centre - a safe, secure and welcoming place for parents and carers with children to meet, play, learn, share their experiences, find support, information and advice - www.epsomfamilycentre.co.uk

Your local family centre - find your nearest Surrey family centre by borough / district

Open Hands Reigate - Reigate Baptist Church foodbank. Request a food parcel - www.openhandsreigate.com/food-parcel-request

Trussell Trust Foodbanks in Surrey work on a voucher system. Speak to a professional or the foodbank directly to enquire how to get vouchers. Once you have been provided with foodbank vouchers you will then be able to access a local foodbank directly. They also have a free confidential helpline 0808 208 2138 - advisers can help with money advice, navigating the benefits system and issuing emergency food vouchers.

Community fridges & food clubs / pantries - community fridges are free, non-means tested and open to all. They bring people together to share food which would otherwise have gone to waste. Food clubs / pantries are where you pay a small annual subscription and minimal weekly fee. In return members receive a bag of nutritious and in-date food supplied by supermarkets. The food includes dry and tinned groceries, fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables close to 'sell by' date:

Mind Works - offers support to children, parents, and young people within Surrey - www.mindworks-surrey.org/professionals/request-support-child-or-young-person

The Lucy Rayner Foundation - is a Surrey-based service providing support groups and counselling for young adults, and bereavement support for those who have lost a loved one to suicide - www.thelucyraynerfoundation.com

NHS Mental Health Crisis Support - helpline to speak to a friendly and well-trained member of staff if you've reached breaking point. Open 24/7 on 0800 915 4644 or text 07717 989024

Catalyst - is a Guildford-based non-profit organisation working with people who are dealing with issues stemming from drug and alcohol misuse and mental health - including housing, involvement with criminal justice, relationships with family and friends and getting back into work - www.catalystsupport.org.uk

Breathing Space - legal protection from creditor action for 60 days for people in debt or mental health crisis - www.surreycc.gov.uk/adults/care-and-support/mental-health/debt-support

Samaritans - providing confidential emotional support for those experiencing feelings of distress or despair including suicidal thoughts - www.samaritans.org

East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service - an independent charity providing outreach and associated services in the borough of Reigate & Banstead and the districts of Mole Valley and Tandridge - www.esdas.org.uk

North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service - free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to anyone aged 16 or above affected by domestic abuse living in the boroughs of Epsom & Ewell, Elmbridge or Spelthorne - www.nsdas.org.uk

Refuge - national domestic violence charity, providing a network of refuges across the country, support and domestic violence helpline, and advocacy for those within the court process - www.refuge.org.uk

Men's Advice Line - is a confidential helpline for men who are currently or who have previously experienced domestic abuse, providing emotional support and practical advice - www.mensadviceline.org.uk

Galop - support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people experiencing domestic abuse - www.galop.org.uk

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Support for families How to access Stripey Stork's support We are here to help families who are facing hardship, with children aged 0-18 years with practical items such as clothing, cots, bedding, buggies, books, toys, and school supplies including uniform, bags and shoes. Here's an up-to-date list of the items we usually stock.

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Click for Links to Support

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Choose which finance issue you'd like some information about. You can always come back if there's more than one area you'd like to explore.

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Tell us about what matters to your baby and your family most - please ask any member of staff for a 'This is Me' Card for your baby's cot...

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Most of the important information applies across the UK, but some of it is specific to England.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, entitlements may vary. Although the information in this section is correct at the time of writing, benefits are always subject to change.

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Having a new born baby in special care brings a lot of extra expense, including travel costs, parking, extra child care and missed days at work. Take a look through our information for support on this.Bliss recognises this dilemma is faced by many parents. Although we are unable to provide...

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British Association of Perinatal Medicine

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Families | British Association of Perinatal Medicine

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Support for parents, carers and families spending time in the neonatal unit.

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Support from your family and friends

Family and friends can be an important source of support when you come home from the neonatal unit. Often they may want to help, but may not know what to say or how to approach the subject with you. There may be times when you do want someone to listen, or you may not be ready to talk about how you are feeling, and that is okay.

It might be helpful to think about what kind of support and help you might need when you come home. Sometimes, help with practical tasks can be more helpful than emotional support. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you can ask family and friends to help with practical tasks, such as:

cooking meals to put in the freezer for when you need them

driving or coming with you to follow-up appointments

helping with laundry or food shopping

helping with school or nursery pick-ups if you have other children.

When you get home, you may have family members and friends asking questions and wanting to know more about you and your baby's health. It is natural for them to be interested, but this may feel quite overwhelming. You may want to ask one family member or friend who you trust to be the first point of contact. They can then be responsible for updating other family members or friends with any news or information. This can help to take any pressure off you.

Support with your finances

Having a baby born premature or sick can have an impact on your finances. Going to and from hospital for regular follow-up appointments can be expensive and it may be more difficult to pay your bills. A social worker at the neonatal unit may be able to help with practical issues, such as advice on travel costs or finances.

We have more information about how having a premature or sick baby can affect your finances, and what support is available.

If you are a single parent, looking after a premature or sick baby at home can be difficult. You may find it helpful to contact Gingerbread, a charity that supports single parent families.

Support from Bliss

Bliss offers support services for families. We have an email service that supports parents and families of premature and sick babies. You can email us at hello@bliss.org.uk and we'll get back to you.

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What support is available when you go home | Bliss

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When you come home from the neonatal unit with your premature or sick baby, you may not know where to go for support. Find out more here.

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Going home can feel huge after a NICU stay. Bliss have created a tailor-made support link for families preparing for discharge.

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Parents might experience a range of unexpected emotions when they are getting ready to go home from the neonatal unit. While it is an exciting time to be at home and starting life with your new baby, you may also have some uncertainty about not having the support of the unit staff at home. You can speak to the unit staff about any worries you have. They will be happy to help and most neonatal units will allow you to contact them if you have any concerns or want some advice when you are home. This should be explained to you as part of the discharge process.

Parents often tell us that even though they were excited to go home with their baby, being at home can also feel like an isolating and overwhelming experience. Others say they didn't feel as confident as they wanted to be, and missed the support of the neonatal unit and the reassurance of staff. Some parents describe feeling a 'whirlwind' or 'rollercoaster' of different emotions. It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel, and it is normal to experience lots of different emotions while you adjust to life at home with your baby.

You may find it helpful to talk to your health visitor or community neonatal nurse about how you are feeling.

How can I get support with my mental health?

Having a baby born premature or sick can make you feel sad and low at times. But if these feelings start to impact on your everyday life, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression. Postnatal depression is a type of depression that parents can experience after having a baby, and affects fathers as well as mothers. If you are worried about how you are feeling, are experiencing persistent low mood or other symptoms associated with postnatal depression, you may need some more support. You can talk to your GP, health visitor or community neonatal nurse about how you are feeling.

You may also find it helps to talk about your concerns with a friend, family member or someone else you trust. It can be easy to forget about looking after yourself when you have a baby to look after, but it is important to reach out if you need help.

It is important to remember that you are not alone. In a survey we carried out of around 600 parents, over 80% said their mental health got worse after their time on the neonatal unit.

We have lots of information about where you can get support with your mental health, including details of other organisations that may be helpful.

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How you might feel when you go home | Bliss

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Parents might experience a range of unexpected emotions when they are getting ready to go home from the neonatal unit. While it is an exciting time to be at home and starting life with your new baby, you may also have some uncertainty about not having the support of the unit staff at home.

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Helpful Organisations

There are a wide range of organisations who provide tailored support for families of premature or sick babies.

LGBTQIA+ support

Find below organisations who provide support and advice, specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community:

Stonewall have some great information on parenting rights, including parental responsibility, family leave and pay, adopting, fostering, co-parenting, fertility treatment and surrogacy.

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline provides a listening service for LGBT+ people over the phone, via email and online chat. It can provide you with contact details of an LGBT-friendly therapist.

Imaan is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) Muslims, providing an online forum where people can share experiences and ask for help.

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With over 90,000 babies born premature or sick and admitted to neonatal care every year in the UK, many families are touched by a neonatal experience. However, many LGBTQIA+ parents feel underrepresented in the neonatal support available.

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Support for Each Stage of Your NICU Journey

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Support for Each Stage of Your NICU Journey

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Having a baby born sick or premature can be overwhelming.

You might be expecting a baby at risk of being born premature or sick, on the neonatal unit, just arriving home, or looking after a baby who is growing up. Whatever your stage of the journey, having a baby born sick or premature can be overwhelming.

Our information and support tool will help you to quickly access the support and information you need, whatever you are going through.

Tell us what you need help with, and we'll point you in the right direction.

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Support for your stage of the journey | Bliss

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Having a baby born sick or premature can be overwhelming. You might be expecting a baby at risk of being born premature or sick, on the neonatal unit, just arriving home, or looking after a baby who is growing up. Whatever your stage of the journey, having a baby born sick or premature can be overwhelming.

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Dads Do NICU Too - The Smallest Things Charity link for support of Dads on NICU.

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Your baby may be at an increased risk of infection, as in most cases they are preterm or unwell already.

Infection prevention is essential for all staff, families and visitors in NICU.

To help us protect your baby  we ask that all parents and visitors follow the guidance in this link.

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Supporting Tummy Time for your Baby - Information Leaflet for Parents

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APCP - Tummy time V3 (469) May Approved NN 2024

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When to transition your baby from preterm to term formula

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When to transition your baby from preterm to term formula

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How to Transition your baby from ready-to-feed formula to powdered preterm formula. 

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How to Transition your baby from ready-to-feed formula to powdered preterm formula. 

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Translation Option Now Available for NICU Website

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Translation Option Now Available for NICU Website

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Please note that now when accessing our NICU website, using the Recite Me tool, the website is now fully translatable into multiple different languages. See the above link for more details.

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We're pleased to share that as part of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), we have added the Recite me web accessibility and language toolbar to our website to help make the content accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible. This is done by using innovative technology that makes our site more accessible via a unique range of features on all devices.

It helps the one in five people in the UK who have a disability, including those with common conditions like sight loss and dyslexia, to access the website in the way that suits them best.

It also meets the needs of the one in ten people in the UK who don't speak English as their first language, by being able to translate our web content into over 100 different languages.

How to access the Recite me toolbar?

You can open the Recite me language and accessibility toolbar by clicking on the Accessibility icon (pictured below), which is at the top of each page of the website.

After clicking on the Accessibility icon, the Recite me toolbar opens and displays a range of different options for customising how the website looks and how the content is accessed.

How does Recite me help make our website more accessible?

Recite me helps people to access all of the content on our website and has a range of functions. The toolbar can be used to:

Have the text on our website read aloud (including PDFs)

Download the text as an MP3 file to play it where and when it is convenient

Change font sizes and colours

Customise background colour

Translate text into more than 100 different languages

Access a fully integrated dictionary and thesaurus

Please see here for a guide on how to access some of the features of Recite me.

If you have any questions about Recite Me, please contact the Patient Experience team by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 01932 723553.

If you have an impairment or sensory loss and have specific communication needs please let our operator know.

Recite Me User Guide

Play Audio

Text Options

Colour, Ruler, and Mask

Dictionary, Translation, and Magnifier

Margins, Plain Text Mode, and Download Audio

Settings

Frequently Asked Questions

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Recite Me - Web Accessibility and Language Toolbar

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Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in north Surrey.

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Virtual Tours of Neonatal Units in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

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Virtual Tours of Neonatal Units in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

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Being transferred to another hospital can sometimes feel very scary, especially if you have never been there before.

The KSS network have undertaken virtual tours of every unit in our region, for parents to look at, so that even if you haven't been able to visit in person, you can look at the unit before you get there.

Link:

Unit Information - Neonatal Network South East (neonatalnetworkssoutheast.nhs.uk)

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Please find here the Transitional Care Parent Information Poster - this poster explains what Transitional Care is and how it helps families prepare for discharge home together.

Please note, babies from 33 weeks are now eligible for TCU, see below for more details.

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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 like and what it does.

The NICU was a room that never slept - it was a sensory overload. It's crazy that today, at one year old, Leo's favourite things are flashing lights and saying 'beep'.

Destiny, mum to Leo

You might not have had any time with your baby after they were born and before they went to the unit.

Many parents tell us that seeing their baby in the incubator and attached to wires makes them feel distanced from them. There can also be sounds from equipment which can seem alarming at first. This can feel very upsetting.

Some parents find it helpful to know what the equipment does and how it helps to monitor and provide support for their baby. If you are ever unsure about the equipment used for your baby, ask the neonatal team - they will be happy to explain.

Incubators are clear boxes which help keep your baby warm. Premature or sick babies can struggle to stay warm on their own.

Some incubators are closed boxes with hand holes on the side. This helps keep the heat and humidity in the incubator, stopping too much moisture evaporating from your baby's fine skin.

Other incubators have open tops and an overhead heater or heated mattresses.

The temperature is controlled in two ways - either with controls or using an automatic sensor on your baby's skin. If the sensor falls off or is not working properly, an alarm sounds, and a nurse will check the temperature of the incubator.

Ventilators and breathing machines

Before your baby was born, they received all the oxygen they needed from their birth parent. The oxygen in the birth parent's blood passes across the placenta and into the umbilical cord (the cord that connects the baby to the placenta and which is cut at birth).

Once they are born, babies get their oxygen by breathing. If a baby is born prematurely or with a medical condition, they may struggle to breathe by themselves. Premature babies' lungs in particular might not be developed enough to manage breathing by themselves yet.

Depending on what your baby needs, they might be put on a machine called a ventilator - this helps your baby to breathe.

There are two types of basic ventilator:

Ventilators: These blow air with or without added oxygen (depending on what your baby needs) gently into your baby's lungs through a tube which is passed through their nose or mouth. This inflates your baby's lungs and is adjusted depending on what your baby needs.

High frequency oscillating ventilators: These blow small amounts of air, with or without added oxygen, (depending on what your baby needs) into the lungs very quickly, hundreds of times a minute. Your baby's chest will look like it is vibrating. This might look worrying, but it can work very well for some kinds of lung conditions.

Other breathing machines can include:

Continuous positive airway pressure (often shortened to 'CPAP')
These blow air, with or without oxygen, (depending on what your baby needs) through two thin tubes in your baby's nose, or through a small mask over their nose. CPAP slightly raises the pressure of the air, which helps keep your baby's lungs inflated.

Non-invasic positive pressure ventilations (also called BiPap)
This is given through a mask or a small tube in your baby's nose and helps to regulate their breathing.

Heated, humidified high-flow nasal cannula (also called 'high-flow' or 'optiflow')
Some babies need help with their breathing but do not need something as strong as a ventilator. High-flow is where warm, moist air with or without oxygen (depending on what your baby needs) flows into your baby's lungs through small tubes in their nose.

Endotracheal (pronounced en-doe-track-eel) tube

This is put down your baby's windpipe (called a trachea by health professionals) if they are on a ventilator. It is either put in through your baby's nose or mouth. It is the tube which passes the air into your baby's lungs from the ventilator.

Vital signs monitor

These machines pick up electrical signals given out from your baby's heart, and always check that it is beating properly. They can also pick up changes in your baby's breathing. These monitors pick up these signals through small pads put on your baby's chest. Wires run from the pads to the monitoring machine.

Oxygen saturation monitor

These monitors check the amount of oxygen in your baby's blood, by shining a light through their skin. The sensors are strapped gently to your baby's foot or hand.

Intravenous (pronounced in-tra-vee-nus, and sometimes shortened to IV) drip

Your baby might have thin tubes (sometimes called IVs, drips or cannulae) put into a tiny blood vessel. The IV is usually put in a hand, foot, arm or leg. Sometimes the staff might have to use one of the tiny veins on the surface of your baby's head. These tubes are there to give fluids or medication, like antibiotics.

Feeding tube

If your baby can't feed by themselves yet, they might be able to have breast milk or formula through a tube that goes down their mouth or nose and into their stomach. Doctors might use a nasogastric (pronounced nase-oh-gas-trick) or orogastric (pronounced or-oh-gas-trick) tube.

For more information about feeding, visit our page about being a parent on the neonatal unit.

As soon as you know what all the machinery does, and why they beep and alarm, you will feel more comfortable in this unfamiliar place. Ask questions - no one will judge you.

Annie, mum to Alfie

Umbilical catheter (pronounced umm-bill-like-al cath-it-er)

These long, soft tubes are put into the blood vessels in your baby's belly button. Umbilical catheters are mostly used in the first few days after birth.

There are two types - one goes into an artery (blood vessels which carry blood full of oxygen from the heart and to the rest of the body) and is used to measure blood pressure and to take blood samples to check levels of certain important gases.

The other kind goes into a vein (smaller blood vessels which take blood with less oxygen back to the heart) and gives your baby nutrition or medicine. These catheters can have one or more tubes, allowing for different tests to be taken at the same time and avoiding disturbing your baby.

Long lines

These are very thin tubes passed into one of your baby's larger veins. Long lines are often used for giving nutrition an certain medication. Placing these can be a fiddly procedure if your baby is very small, but it is non-invasive.

The procedure might be done in a sterile environment to protect your baby from infections, where you may not be able to join. Your care team will explain all of this to you.

Phototherapy lamp or light blanket

If your baby has jaundice, they may be treated with blue light lamps (called 'phototherapy lamps') or a special light blanket (called a 'bili-blanket'). Jaundice (pronounced 'jawn-diss') is the name for yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.

It is very common for newborn babies to get jaundice. In most cases it is harmless and goes away without needing treatment by the time your baby is about two weeks old.

For more information about jaundice, visit our page about jaundice.

The information in this section is due for review November 2025

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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 like and what it does.

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National Neonatal Audit Programme(NNAP) video

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National Neonatal Audit Programme(NNAP) video

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We encourage neonatal units and networks to share this animation with parents and disseminate the resource widely.

There is also a QR code that takes you directly to the animation.

The NNAP produces a number of resources specifically for parents and carers. These include:

Your baby's care - the parent and carer guide to the NNAP summary report

Unit posters - these highlight how each unit is performing against a selection of audit measures and what unit's are doing in response to these results

Privacy notices - these outline how the audit collects and uses data on babies and what parents can do if they want to opt out of this data collection process.

Neonatal unit and neonatal network annual NNAP results can be accessed via NNAP Online

Audit results are also available via the interactive NNAP Data Dashboard based on 2023 measure definitions. The dashboard presents results for each of the 10 NNAP performance metrics as annual rolling averages and will be updated quarterly. It can be found here: National Neonatal Audit Programme - Data dashboard | RCPCH

The NNAP publishes an annual summary report as well as an at a glance guide and an extended analysis report.
View NNAP summary report on 2021 data
You can follow the NNAP on Twitter @nnap_rcpch

If you have any questions about the audit, please email: NNAP@rcpch.ac.uk

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What is the National Neonatal Audit Programme?

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The National Neonatal Audit Programme (NNAP) looks at the care babies receive if they are born early or unwell and need to be admitted to a neonatal unit. We have created a short animation designed to introduce the NNAP to parents and carers. The animation outlines how the audit works and what resources it produces.

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Helping your care for your baby

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Bliss Leaflet about watching and understanding your premature babies behavioural cues.

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Whilst you and your baby are on the NICU you may have a professional musician come and sing and play to you.  This is kindly funded by Little Roo Charity.

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Travelodge Chertsey Hotel, Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9AU
Phone 0871 559 1863

Premier Inn Addlestone, Station Road, Addlestone, KT15 2AH. Phone 0871 622 2416

The Bridge Hotel & Boat House Restaurant, Bridge Road, Chertsey, KT16 8JZ
Phone 01932 565644

The Croach Oak, 138 Sation Road, Addlestone KT15 2BE  Phone 01932 842562

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The visiting policy for TC is the same as that on Joan Booker ward. We ask parents to please keep the curtains open unless you are expressing or breast feeding so we can monitor and support your baby. If you feel you need to leave TC / Joan Booker for a period of time then please liaise with the nursing team, as they are not in the room all the time and your baby should not be left unattended for safety reasons.  You will find an alarm on the cot (ask and we will show you if you are not sure) that can be used if you are going to the toilet, but please do not take this off the ward as then we cannot pick your baby up to comfort them whilst you are away.

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The transitional care unit is part of the neonatal unit, and is based on Joan Booker maternity ward.  It is staffed by medical and nursing staff from the neonatal unit. We are there to support you to care for your baby, and the midwifery staff will continue to care for you.  If you are not ready to return to the maternity ward after the delivery then we will support you to look after your baby on the labour ward, until such time as you are well enough.

The Transitional Care Unit is located in bay 5 on the postnatal maternity ward.  We admit babies from the labour ward, NICU and home (while mum is still under midwifery care) according to their circumstances.

Babies on NICU will often be transferred down to TC to be with their parents prior to discharge - if mum has already been discharged then we will ask you to come back in to be with your baby in TC as your baby cannot be in TC without mummy.

Partners are now welcome in TC to stay alongside their baby and partner - we have a lay flat chair in each bed space.

Both parents are welcome to use the parents' accommodation on NICU for refreshment, and are able to order hot meals - please see the poster below for more information.

In order for babies to be ready for TC they will need to be over 33 weeks gestation, on no monitoring and at least 3 hourly feeding (or response feeding). Their needs and age etc will determine how long your baby will be in TC, and it can range from a couple of days to a couple of weeks depending on this. However, we know that being with their parents does support babies to learn to feed quicker.

The Neonatal doctors carry out a ward round on the Transitional Care unit every morning.  If your baby is ready to go home, but mum is still not quite ready, then we may transfer your baby's care back to the midwives to await your discharge home together. The Neonatal doctors are in TC during the day to support and assess your baby as needed, and if your baby needed a doctor at any other time then it would be the NICU doctors that would look after your baby’s needs.

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Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

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Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

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Information for parents regarding Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity - often called ROP.

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Big journeys start with small steps...

Please look at the Footsteps Passport for important information.