# data[].attributes.body
Southampton milk bank is based in the Princess Anne hospital and run by staff from the neonatal unit. We run a service which collects breast milk donated by screened lactating parents (donors).

The Southampton milk bank supplies donor breastmilk not only to University Hospital Southampton (UHS), but to multiple hospitals and trusts in the south of England. Donor breastmilk is used as an alternative to formula milk when parents are unable to produce enough milk immediately, including preterm babies or when a birthing person has a medical issue that limits feeding. The milk bank pasteurises the donated milk (to ensure safety), stores it, and delivers it to neonatal units. The delivery and collection of milk is supported by the charity SERV.

If you would like more information on donating your milk please contact us on: 07795506279.

If we don't answer, please leave a message and we will get back to you.

# data[].attributes.body
The Neonatal infant feeding team are here to help you with your feeding journey.

You can call or text us on: 07920184353.

If we don't answer, please leave a message and we will get back to you.

# data[].attributes.body
Holding little hands is Southampton neonatal units open facebook page where we share whats going on on the unit, as well as helpful information and links

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

# data[].attributes.body
If you would like to support us on the neonatal unit we have put together an Amazon Wish List of some items that would make a family's stay a little easier.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We use cookies and similar tools that are necessary to enable you to make purchases, to enhance your shopping experiences and to provide our services, as detailed in our Cookie notice. We also use these cookies to understand how customers use our services (for example, by measuring site visits) so we can make improvements.

# data[].attributes.body
vCreate is a secure platform that allows the nurse looking after your baby to send you photos of your baby during their stay.

You will be asked to sign a consent form and then click the link above to create a login.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We are dedicated to improving parent and patient experience by listening to you and acting upon your feedback. We would like you to think about your time on the unit and answer each question h

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Sands - Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sands | Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sands works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby; improve the care bereaved parents receive; and create a world where fewer babies die.

# data[].attributes.body
Lots of babies on the neonatal unit will receive their feeds via a feeding tube that goes from either their mouth (OGT) or nose (NGT), directly to their tummy. This will be because they are too young or too poorly to feed from the breast or bottle.

We can teach you how to safely feed your baby using their feeding tube. When you’re comfortable with the process and have completed your competency form, you’ll be able to do the tube feeds on your own.

# data[].attributes.body
Invaluable support and information for parents and parents to be.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whether you are a new or expectant parent, a professional interested to know about Down syndrome or a member of the public - you've come to the right place!

We hope that our stories and photos reassure you, inspire you and show you the reality of life with Down syndrome. There is a lot of negativity, fear of and ignorance around Down syndrome, but we are the experts on living with someone with Down syndrome and these stories are written honestly from experience and absolute understanding.

#NobodyToldMe is a collection of personal experiences written by young people with Down syndrome, their friends and family.

#NobodyToldMe challenges outdated perceptions and attitudes towards those with Down syndrome by showing the reality of our lives.

We, too, have experienced receiving the news that our baby has Down syndrome, so we know how you're feeling, what you're worried about, or what you are feeling guilty for thinking. We are delighted to have this opportunity to share a little of our lives with you to try to address some of those feelings.

There are groups all around the UK, offering a range of support and community.

Click the button below to see a map showing what groups there are near you.

The stories here are our true and personal experiences. PADS is not affiliated with any religious or political organisation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Positive About Down Syndrome - A website by parents for parents and parents-to-be

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whether you are a new or expectant parent, a professional interested to know about Down syndrome or a member of the public - you've come to the right place! We hope that our stories and photos reassure you, inspire you and show you the reality of life with Down syndrome.

# data[].attributes.body
There are many organisations who provide information and support for families of babies born premature or sick.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There are many organisations who provide information and support for families of babies born premature or sick. You can find some of these here.

The links on these pages lead to external websites, so we have no control over their content.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are many organisations who provide information and support for families of babies born premature or sick. You can find some of these here.The links on these pages lead to external websites, so we have no control over their content.

# data[].attributes.headline
Meet our our team of allied health professionals who will support you to care for your baby at Southampton 

# data[].attributes.subject
Meet our our team of allied health professionals who will support you to care for your baby at Southampton 

# data[].attributes.body
Helping you to understand your baby's behaviour from birth. You can get to know your baby and understand their needs.

# data[].attributes.headline
Growth Assessment of Preterm Infants (GAP)

# data[].attributes.subject
Growth Assessment of Preterm Infants (GAP)

# data[].attributes.body
The Gap study is keen to understand more about growth, metabolism and how best to feed babies born very prematurely at less than 32 weeks. This study measures babies’ arms and legs once a week, takes a urine sample once a week to look at how premature babies metabolise nutrition for growth and asks for a one-off blood sample (this can be optional) to look at how genetics/environment and exposure can influence metabolism of nutrition. For babies born at less than 28 weeks the study asks if parents would consent to an MRI which will be arrange for around the month of baby’s due date. For more information on this study please speak to your bedside nurse or ask for one of the research team.

# data[].attributes.body
The WHEAT International trial will compare two different approaches, feeding babies or not feeding babies during blood transfusions, to work out which one is better. Both approaches are standard practice in the UK, but we don’t know how best to feed babies during blood transfusions. Some hospitals and doctors stop feeds while others don’t. This is important because babies that are born early often need blood transfusions because they become anaemic (they do not have enough red blood cells, which can cause weakness or breathlessness). We know babies need blood transfusions, but we do not know how best to look after them during the transfusion. To find out more about the study please speak to your bedside nurse or a member of the research team.

# data[].attributes.body
The neoGASTRIC study is for babies born more than 6 weeks early and needing a feeding tube. The study is comparing two ways of caring for babies having tube feeds, both ways are part of routine care, and both are commonly used in neonatal units across the UK. Once enrolled in the study your baby will be randomised to one of the two study arms and data will be collected on your babies feeding. To find out more about the study please speak to your bedside nurse or a member of the research team.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
neoGASTRIC Introduction v1.0 - 12-Jun-23

# data[].attributes.body
Neonatal research plays an important role in advancing medical knowledge and improving outcomes for new born babies, particularly those born prematurely or with health complications.

Southampton neonatal unit is actively involved in research, both locally, nationally and internationally. We are supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary research team who may approach you and ask you to consider participating in a study. Our aim is to continually improve the care we deliver.

# data[].attributes.body
Each bedspace on the neonatal unit and woodland ward has its own Spectra breast pump. Expressing by your baby's cot side can help maximise your milk supply, but if you would prefer to express somewhere more private and quiet, we have an expressing room on both Woodland Ward and on the Neonatal Unit on D Level.

We can provide you with a pump to borrow at no cost for when you are away from the unit. Please return it once you no longer need it or if you are transferred or discharged.

# data[].attributes.body
Whilst you will be supported to express milk as soon as possible after delivery it can take a while for your milk supply to be established. If this is the case we may talk to you about donor breastmilk.

Donor milk is human breastmilk that has been voluntarily given by screened, healthy lactating people. The milk is collected, pasteurised, tested for safety, and then provided to babies who need it. Because it is real human milk, donor milk offers many of the protective and developmental benefits of breastmilk.

Research has shown that supplementation of donor breast milk alongside lactation support can increase breastfeeding rates upon discharge.

You will need to give your consent before your baby can receive donor breastmilk.

# data[].attributes.body
You will meet a number of different health professionals during your stay, they are divided into a number of different teams and specialities. Our Parent Information booklets will provide you with more information including names and contact details. There is a quick guide to Who's who below.

# data[].attributes.body
Welcome to Our Unit

Being on the Neonatal unit

Support for you

Caring for your baby

Feeding your Baby

Screening Tests

Transferring closer to home

Getting ready for home

At home

Charity Support and Fundraising

Useful Apps and Websites

Parent feedback

Neonatal research

# data[].attributes.body
Intensive Care Unit

Nursery 1 02381206897

Nursery 2 02381208102

Nursery 3 02381208164

Nursery 4 02381208685

Woodland Ward Special Care Unit

Owl Nursery 02381206705

Rabbit Nursery 02381206774

Hedgehog Nursery 02381206778

Southampton General Hospital

Switchboard 02380777222

# data[].attributes.body
Neonatal care at Princess Anne Hospital is divided into three areas

Intensive Care Unit (Level D)

Woodland Ward Special Care Baby Unit (Level E)

Transitional Care (Level F)

`

You can access your baby's nursery by using the intercom system at the ward's entrance.

If Southampton is not your local hospital your baby will be transferred by SONet, our dedicated neonatal transport team closer to home when they are ready.

Very occasionally even if Southampton was your booking hospital, following delivery you and your baby may need transferring to another unit with the appropriate level of care due to cot availability.

We are currently undergoing an expansion to improve our services and are proud to have already opened Woodland Ward Special Care Baby Unit with outstanding facilities for families to stay with their babies.

We are doing our best to reduce the disruption to our services and will keep you updated with any changes or restrictions.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of disruption.

# data[].attributes.headline
Family Care Team Southampton Neonatal Unit

# data[].attributes.subject
Family Care Team Southampton Neonatal Unit

# data[].attributes.body
The family care team provides emotional and practical support for you and your family whilst your baby is being cared for on the unit. The team is made up of senior neonatal nurses (Family Care Sisters) and 2 clinical psychologists. They work closely with the neonatal team and the chaplaincy team.

There are lots of different ways they can offer support to families on the unit, including:

Providing practical information and support

Emotional and psychological support

Financial guidance

Peer support

Advocacy support

The team will introduce themselves to your family following your arrival on the unit or you can ask the nurse caring for your family to refer you to the team.

Or call on 07827271166

Or email neonatalfamilycare@uhs.nhs.uk

# data[].attributes.body
Information you may need during your stay on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Level D.

# data[].attributes.body
FICare is a model of care that supports and educates parents and carers on the neonatal unit to become fully involved in their baby's care in partnership with experienced neonatal staff.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sensory Beginnings - ways in which you can help your baby in the neonatal environment

# data[].attributes.subject
Sensory Beginnings - ways in which you can help your baby in the neonatal environment

# data[].attributes.body
Ways in which you can create a positive sensory environment for your baby.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Resources for nurturing sensory environment | Sensory Beginnings

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Resources for you in our nurturing sensory environment domains, to support your knowledge of the role of sensory processing.

# data[].attributes.body
Information you may need for your stay on Woodland Ward Level E.

# data[].attributes.body
PANDAS is a community offering peer-to-peer support for you, your family and your network.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Postnatal depression (PND) is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. It can affect any parent, regardless of whether they've suffered from a mental health condition before. Postnatal depression is linked directly to giving birth and is a common problem, affecting 1 in 10 women within a year of giving birth.

# data[].attributes.body
Positive touch is a way of communicating your love and reassurance to your baby and hearing your baby’s needs in return. Babies do communicate, and by watching and listening to your baby you can learn what kind of touch to use and when it is appropriate, safe and pleasurable for your baby.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Positive touch is a way of communicating your love and reassurance to your baby and hearing your baby's needs in return. Babies do communicate, and by watching and listening to your baby you can learn what kind of touch to use and when it is appropriate, safe and pleasurable for your baby.

It's harder for your baby to communicate when exposed to too much noise, too much light, too much cool air, or an uncomfortable lying position. See whether the environment can be calmed down first. In time, you will get to know your baby's individual ways and you may find your baby responding more often and for longer.

Comfort holding

Comfort holding is one of many ways for you and your baby to get to know each other. Your baby may be more comfortable lying in the incubator than being held. In this case, the staff may suggest that you try comfort holding if they think your baby is well enough. Comfort holding is 'still touch'. Cradling your baby with still, resting hands can be more comforting than stroking or massage, which are more stimulating.

Comfort holding can:

soothe your baby during uncomfortable procedures.

settle a restless baby.

help your baby to get back to sleep after feeds and care.

encourage your baby to be quietly awake and responsive.

Comfort holding is a way to experience loving touch when your baby is not ready to be held.

Talk to your baby's nurse about comfort holding. Together you can watch for signs from your baby that will guide you as to when and how to do it.

Be careful to:

Remove watches and jewellery, pull your sleeves up to the elbows, and wash your hands and lower arms. This reduces the risk of infection inside the incubator.

Always make sure that your hands are warm before touching your baby.

If your baby has difficulty keeping warm, make sure there is a layer of fabric (a hat, vest or blanket) between you.

Speak to your baby before touching, so that they are aware of your presence before you start.

Cradle one or both hands around your baby's feet, head or body, and keep them still. Your baby may also like to grasp one of your fingers.

Wait and watch for signs that tell you that your baby is relaxed.

You can continue for as long as you are both comfortable. When you finish comfort holding, move your hands away from your baby very slowly.

Kangaroo Care

Kangaroo Care is skin-to-skin contact when a baby is placed against the parent's chest. Benefits include improvements with lactation and with establishing breastfeeding, and better weight gain for the baby. In the longer term, it helps parents to feel closer to their babies and more confident in caring for them. Kangaroo Care can be used with babies with high medical needs, but this will require careful planning and collaboration with the neonatal staff.

Talk to staff and plan a good time and comfortable place for you to try Kangaroo Care.

While Kangaroo Care is based on direct skin-to-skin contact, removing your baby's clothes is not vital if this is upsetting for him or her. A hat and a blanket for extra warmth might be necessary for very small babies.

Hold your baby chest-to-chest tucked inside your clothes, enclosing him/her to keep his/her temperature stable. Check that the head is well supported and if you can't see your baby easily, try using a hand mirror.

Explore what you both like to enjoy together. Some babies like to have their eyes shielded, others like to be sung to softly or while having a tube feed. Allow time for your baby to settle and get the full benefit.

If you baby is happy, you can cuddle for as long as you are both comfortable. Lie back, relax and enjoy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Premature and sick babies undergo many medical procedures that can cause them some discomfort. As your baby's parents, you are the best people to balance this with a positive, reassuring touch.

# data[].attributes.body
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

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.headline
Words you might hear on the Neonatal Unit

# data[].attributes.subject
Words you might hear on the Neonatal Unit

# data[].attributes.body
When you are new to the neonatal unit, it can feel like you hear many new words. You might hear medical words, or shortened or abbreviated words which you have not heard before. This can feel confusing and overwhelming at a difficult time

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This page contains a guide to help you understand some of the common words and terms you might hear while on a neonatal unit.

When you are new to the neonatal unit, it can feel like you hear many new words. You might hear medical words, or shortened or abbreviated words which you have not heard before. This can feel confusing and overwhelming at a difficult time.

You have the right to understand the care your baby is getting and how they are doing. The neonatal team will work to make sure they explain things in a way that you understand.

If you are ever unsure about your baby's care, or you do not know what some words mean, let the staff know. They will be happy to explain things in a different way for you, and explain anything you are unsure about.

To find the term you are interested in, scroll through the alphabetical list below.

A

Acidosis (pronounced ass-sid-oh-sis) A high level of natural acid in the blood. This can be because the lungs are not working well, or because not enough oxygen is reaching parts of the body. It can be a combination of both. Sometimes, the body produces too much acid, or the kidneys do not remove the acids from the blood. This is called metabolic acidosis.

Anaemia (pronounced anne-eem-me-ah) Too little haemoglobin in the blood (see 'Haemoglobin').

Apgar score A simple way of checking a baby's health immediately after birth, by scoring 'points' for heart rate, breathing, skin colour, tone and the baby's reactions.

Apnoea (pronounced app-knee-ah) A pause in breathing for 20 seconds or longer.

Apnoea of prematurity Premature babies may have an apnoea because of being the part of the brain that controls breathing is not developed yet. Often the baby starts breathing on their own, but might need to be gently helped by moving them slightly. Caffeine is often given to help with this. Apnoeas in premature babies might happen more than once. Most babies will grow out of apnoea of prematurity by the time they are around 36 weeks.

Apnoea alarms or monitors A monitor that checks that a baby is breathing regularly. These set off an alarm if the baby pauses for 20 seconds or longer between breaths.

Asphyxia (pronounced ass-fix-ee-ya) A condition where there is too little oxygen and too little blood flow in the body. This can cause injury to the brain and other organs in the body. The most common time for asphyxia to happen is during labour (whilst the baby is being born) or at birth.

Aspirate (pronounced ass-pi-rate) This word is used in different ways in the neonatal unit:

1. Doctors and nurses might talk about 'checking the aspirate' before putting a milk feed down a nasogastric or orogastric tube. This means that a syringe is attached to the end of the feeding tube to get a small amount of the baby's stomach contents. It will be tested by using a pH paper or stick to make sure that the tube is in the stomach and it is safe for feeding. This aspirate will be checked regularly.

2. You might hear the word 'aspirate' used when something other than air (eg. meconium) is inhaled into a baby's lungs before the baby has been fully born. This is called meconium aspiration, which can be a serious, although rare, condition (see 'Meconium' and 'Meconium aspiration' for further information).

3. Milk aspiration is when the baby inhales small amounts of milk when feeding. This can happen if they are premature and have not yet developed some skills needed for feeding.

Audiology (hearing) tests There are two ways of assessing a baby's hearing. Both involve placing earphones over the baby's ears to deliver a series of clicks. The baby's responses to the clicks are then analysed.

B

Bagging Putting a mask connected to a squeezable bag or pressure device over the baby's nose and mouth to help breathing.

Bilirubin (pronounced billy-roo-bin) A yellow part in the blood that gives a yellow colouring to the skin. High levels can be dangerous, and cause jaundice.

Blood cultures If doctors think that a baby may have an infection, a small blood sample is taken and added to and sent to the laboratory for testing. Results are available after 48 hours. When it is known what bacteria are in the baby's body, the team can check that the baby is on the right antibiotics to kill that bacteria.

Blood gases This is a test done in a laboratory to find out the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases and acids in the blood. Medical staff do this to work out how well the lungs and circulation are functioning, and to make sure any breathing help they are getting is working well. The number of gases that need to be checked will depend on the problems the baby is having. Some blood gas tests also measure the amount of salt (often called sodium) in a baby's blood.

Blood pressure This is the pressure generated in the body's arteries by the pumping of the heart. It is often monitored in babies who are unwell. They can do this using a cuff on the baby's leg or arm, or a line in their vein. If the blood pressure is too low, the baby may be treated with medicine.

Blood transfusion This is when extra blood is given from a donor. A blood transfusion might be needed to treat severe anaemia (a serious lack of red blood cells), low blood pressure, or during or after an operation.

Bradycardia (brad-ee-card-ee-ah) This is when the heart rate slows down for a period of time. This is common in premature babies. It is usually part of apnoea of prematurity (see above). The baby usual recovers on their own. Sometimes, the staff might need to stimulate the baby to make them respond. Bradycardia usually stops after about 36 weeks' gestation.

Breast pump Piece of equipment used forexpressing breast milk. They can be manual (done by hand) or electric.

Broncho Pulmonary Dysplasia (pronounced bron-co pul-mon-air-ree dis-play-zee-a) See 'Chronic lung disease'.

C

Candida (pronounced can-di-dah) A yeast infection (where fungus grows) of the skin, mouth, gut, groin or inside parts of the genitals).

Cannula (pronounced can-you-la) A very small, short, soft plastic tube that is put into a baby's vein to give fluids or medicines straight into the bloodstream without having to keep using needles. Veins in the arms and legs are usually used, although sometimes the veins in the baby's scalp have to be used. A cannula can last for several days but can also need to be changed every few hours.

Cannulae (pronounced can-you-lee)

Soft plastic prongs which go into the nose to send oxygen into the lungs.

Centile charts (pronounced sen-tile) Graphs showing the normal ranges of body measurements at different ages, like weight and the size of the baby's head.

Cerebrospinal fluid (sometimes called CSF, and pronounced se-ree-bro-spy-nal) Fluid made within the parts of the brain which flow down and around the spinal cord. If anything gets in the way of this flow, fluid can't be removed and the pressure rises. This can cause the parts of the brain to get bigger, which can lead to a condition called hydrocephalus.

Cerebral Function Monitor (sometimes called CFM)

A machine that looks at the background electrical activity in the brain. It can tell if a baby might have a fit. This is often used for babies born at term (near their due date) who might have asphyxia (see above) and are being treated on a cooling mattress.

Chest drain A tube passed through the chest wall into the space between the lungs and the outside of the chest to drain off air or fluid leaking from the lung.

Chronic lung disease (CLD) A condition of the lung that may happen because the baby has been on a ventilator for a long time. With CLD, the baby needs more oxygen and may find breathing difficult. This can take some time to improve. CLD is also known as broncho pulmonary dysplasia (BPD, see above).

Chronological age (pronounced cron-a-lodge-ick-al) A baby's age from their date of birth.

Cooling mattress A cooling mattress is used to treat hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE, see below). The mattress cools the baby to prevent damage to the brain.

Corrected age The age a premature baby would be if they had been born on their due date.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) A type of treatment used to help a baby's breathing and helping them have fewer moments of apnoea. Using a CPAP machine, the lungs are expanded by applying a small amount of pressure (oxygen or air) through small prongs just inside the nose or by a small mask over the nose. In some cases a premature baby may be on and off CPAP for several weeks.

CT scanner This is a special type of X-ray machine that is more detailed than a normal X-ray. In babies, it is usually used to look in detail at parts of the brain or sometimes the chest.

Cyanosis (pronounced sigh-an-oh-sis) When there is not enough oxygen in the blood. It can make the skin, lips, the tongue and nails appear a blue, dusky colour.

D

Developmental care This is about making the baby's surroundings as free of stress as possible to help improve how your baby develops over time. This is done in several ways, by:

Reducing the amount of light and noise that the baby is exposed to. The staff might cover the incubator with a sheet or specially-made cover

Creating a 'nest' to nurse a baby, which makes them feel more comfortable and secure

Changing how your baby is disturbed

Massaging your baby

Involving babies in caring for their baby on the unit - for example Kangaroo Care.

Dysmorphic When the doctors and nurses see some features in a baby that are unusual. In many cases, the features turn out to be normal and cause no concern. If there is a problem, a number of tests will be carried out and, if necessary, other specialists may be asked to look at your baby and give an opinion.

Drip When fluids or blood are passed into a vein or artery using a needle or plastic tube. The word drip is sometimes used instead of Cannula.

E

Electrocardiogram (sometimes called ECG, and pronounced ee-leck-tro-car-dee-oh-gram) A test to look at the heart's electrical activity.

Electroencephalogram (sometimes called EEG and pronounced ee-leck-tro-en-seph-la-gram) A test to look at the brain's electrical activity. This is often done in a different unit of the hospital.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (sometimes called ECMO, and pronounced ex-tra-corp-or-ree-al mem-brain ox-i-gin-a-shon) This machine puts oxygen into the blood when a baby born at term is not able to do this using their heart and lungs. It might be used in very sick babies when treatment with a ventilator has not worked. As this is a special machine, babies might need to be moved to another hospital for this treatment.

Electrolytes (pronounced E-leck-tro-lites) Salts in the body (which can be measured in blood tests) that are essential for the body to work.

Endotracheal tube (sometimes called an ET tube, and pronounced en-doe-track-eel) Soft plastic tube put through the mouth or nose into the windpipe (trachea), which is attached to a ventilator to help breathing. It is often called a tracheal or ET tube.

Exchange transfusion Replacing a baby's blood with blood from an adult donor. This is done if a baby's jaundice level (see below) is very high and they are not getting better with treatment.

Expressed breast milk (EBM) Expressing breast milk means to use a pump, hands or both to get milk from the mum's breasts. The milk can be stored in a fridge or freezer or given directly to the baby.

Extremely low birthweight A baby born weighing less than 1000g.

Extubate (pronounced ex-tube-ate) Removing the endotracheal tube (see above) from the windpipe.

F

Fontanelle (pronounced fon-tan-el) Soft spots on a baby's head that disappear by 18 months, as the skull bones grow and join together.

Family-centred care This means involving families in the care of their baby on the unit. Find out moreinformation about family-centred care.

Family-integrated care This is a care model, which is an extension of the principles of family-centred care. This model can be used by neonatal units.

G

Gases and Gas monitor See 'Blood gases'.

Gestational age (pronounced jest-a-shon-al) The number of weeks the baby has been in the womb is known as the gestation. Being born at term means being born after 37 full weeks in the womb but before 42 weeks. If a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation, they are considered to be premature (sometimes called preterm by medical staff).

Glucose monitor This is a machine that can measure the amount of glucose (sugars) in the blood.

Grunting A noise made by a baby with breathing difficulty.

H

Haemoglobin (pronounced hee-ma-glow-bin) Carries oxygen around the body. It is found in the red blood cells.

Head circumference (pronounced sir-come-for-ence) Measurement of the biggest distance around the baby's head.

Heat shield Clear plastic shell placed over the baby to prevent heat loss.

Heated, humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC, or high-flow) Where warm, moist air flows into your baby's lungs through small tubes in their nose.

High dependency unit (HDU) Another way to describe the level of care babies get in a local neonatal unit. Babies who need a higher level of medical and nursing support than provided in a special care baby unit (SCBU) are cared for here.

High frequency oscillatory ventilation A type of ventilator. With most ventilators, you can see the baby's chest rise and fall at the breathing speed that has been set, which looks like regular breathing. Oscillators use very fast speeds, so the baby's chest appears to vibrate. This may look alarming, but this type of ventilation works extremely well for some of the lung conditions that babies may have.

Humidity To prevent premature babies losing too much water through their skin, they are often looked after in warm, humidified incubators. This is why there is sometimes mist on incubators. Humidity (water) is also added to the gases the baby breathes through the ventilator, CPAP or high-flow machines (see above).

Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) A breathing problem in which the lungs are stiff and collapse instead of staying filled with air. This is also known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Hydrocephalus (pronounced high-dro-keff-al-uss) When too much fluid is present inside the parts of the brain. The increased pressure in the brain might cause the head size to increase very quickly.

Hypocalcaemia (pronounced high-po-cal-sea-me-a) A low blood calcium level.

Hypoglycaemia (pronounced high-po-gly-sea-me-a) A low blood glucose level.

Hypothermia (pronounced high-po-ther-me-a) A body temperature of below 35.5°C (95°F).

Hypoxia (pronounced high-pox-ee-a) A low amount of oxygen in the body tissues.

I

Incubator A heated bed covered by a clear plastic box that allows the baby to be kept warm without clothes so that they can be monitored very closely. Humidity and extra oxygen can be run into the incubator if needed. The levels of oxygen can be very closely controlled and monitored.

Incubator cover A special cover that is made to fit over an incubator to shield the baby from light and noise.

Infusion pump Like a syringe, and provides fluids, medicine or nutrients directly into the blood or gut. These can be given over a set period of time.

Inotrope A medicine used to support blood pressure

Intra-ventricular haemorrhage (sometimes called IVH, and pronounced in-tra-ven-trick-you-la hem-or-ridge) This is a common in premature babies where there is bleeding into the fluid chambers (ventricles) of the brain. IVHs are graded 1-4, according to their size, and are found on an ultrasound scan. Grade 1 bleeds are quite common in premature babies and tend to have no long-term consequences. Grade 4 bleeds (the biggest) means that there is bleeding into the brain tissue and may mean the baby has difficulties as they develop and grow.

Intravenous (IV) lines Fine tubes (cannula) that are sometimes put into a blood vessel - usually in a hand, foot, arm or leg - in order to give fluid or medicine directly into the blood.

Intravenous (IV) nutrition A way of supplying all the most important nutrients directly into the blood through an IV line (see above).

J

Jaundice (pronounced jawn-dis) A yellowness of the skin and/or whites of the eyes caused by a high level of bilirubin (see above) in the blood. It is very common in babies, and is caused by the normal breakdown of the baby's red blood cells. However, high levels can be dangerous and phototherapy (shining blue light onto the baby's skin) may be needed to prevent high levels.

Jejunal feeding (pronounced ju-jew-nal) Putting milk, using a special soft tube through the nostrils, into the jejunum (part of the small intestine). This is not as common as other types of tube feeding.

L

Long line This is a longer cannula that is put into a vein in the arm, leg or head, with the end of the line lying close to the heart. It is also sometimes called a central line. These lines are used to give the baby IV nutrition directly into a vein when the starting of milk feeds has to be delayed. They can also be used for medication.

Low birth weight (LBW) There are three categories of low birth weight:

Low birth weight (LBW) - a weight at birth of less than 2500g

Very low birth weight (VLBW) - a weight at birth of less than 1500g

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) - a weight at birth of less than 1000g

Low flow oxygen A way of giving small amounts of oxygen to babies

Lumbar puncture (LP) or Lumbar tap Meningitis is a very bad infection around the outside layers (called membranes) of their brain and spinal cord. If doctors are worried your baby might be getting this condition, they will take action quickly, as it can become serious. The doctor or nurse practitioner will put a small needle into one of the spaces low down in your baby's back, take some of the fluid and send it for testing. The team will offer your baby things like expressed breast milk to help ease any pain.

M

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans Scans that can give a very useful computer-generated picture of the organs inside a baby without harming them. If your baby has an MRI scan, they will be placed in a special incubator that keeps them safe and warm while inside the scanner. MRI images are very useful for checking for any brain damage, and can help see how a brain is maturing. In most hospitals, the MRI unit will be in a different part of the hospital, so the baby will need to be well enough to travel there.

Meconium (pronounced mew-co-knee-um) A dark greenish sticky solid that builds up in the baby's digestive system before they are born. It usually starts being passed as bowel movements within 24 hours after birth.

Meconium aspiration (pronounced mew-co-knee-um ass-pir-ray-shon) A baby who becomes distressed during labour and before they are born may pass meconium while they are still in the womb. If the baby then breathes the fluid which is surrounding them in, the sticky material can block part of the airways. This can cause inflammation in the lung, and mean the baby finds it hard to breathe soon after they are born.

Morphine (pronounced more-feen) A drug used to reduce the discomfort and stress that babies might experience from some of the treatments they need. It can reduce their own breathing, and so the drug is usually reduced or stopped when a baby is taken off a ventilator. If a baby has needed it for quite a long time, they might become jittery when it is stopped, due to not having the drug in their system anymore.

N

Nasal cannula (pronounced nase-al can-you-la) Small tube put into the nostrils to give a baby oxygen.

Nasogastric feeds (sometimes called NG feeds, and pronounced nase-oh-gas-trick) Nutrition fed using a fine, soft tube passed through the nose into the stomach.

Nasogastric tube (sometimes called an NG tube) A long, thin, soft plastic tube that is passed through a baby's nose into their stomach. This tube is used to give milk to a baby until they are strong enough to take milk from the breast or a bottle.

Neonate The first four weeks of a baby's life (up to 28 days).

Necrotising enterocolitis (sometimes called NEC, and pronounced neck-crot-tize-ing ent-er-co-light-is) A serious condition, where tissue in the bowel (small and large intestines) becomes inflamed. NEC can make a baby temporarily unable to take milk, and at its worst it can cause parts of the bowel to become so damaged that tissue within it dies. NEC can affect just a small part of the bowel, or sometimes the whole bowel can be affected. It is common

NICU This stands for the neonatal intensive care unit.

Nitric oxide This is normally made in the body to relax blood vessels. It means blood can flow to all parts of the body. When the blood vessels to the lungs stay narrow, nitric oxide is sometimes given in the air and oxygen given to a baby to cause them to relax and allow blood flow to the lungs.

NNU This stands for the neonatal unit.

O

Oedema (pronounced oh-deem-a) Swelling caused by too much fluid in the tissues under the skin.

Open cots When a baby can keep their own body temperature stable, they can be transferred from an incubator into a cot without a roof.

Orogastric tube A fine tube passed through the mouth and into the stomach. It is used to give milk to the baby. Sometimes this is done instead of passing the tube through the nose (see Nasogastric tube above)

Oxygen saturation This is measured by placing a special probe on the hand or foot of the baby. This can measure the amount of oxygen flowing through the baby's blood vessels. If the oxygen level drops, the alarm will alert the nurse. If the baby is moving around a lot, sometimes the reading is not lower than it actually is.

P

Parenteral nutrition Nutrition given directly into the bloodstream. It is often called total parenteral nutritionor TPN. The liquid contains sugars, proteins, fats and vitamins - everything the baby needs to grow. Parenteral feeding solutions are often given through a long line.

Patent ductus arteriosus (sometimes called PDA, and pronounced pa-tent duck-tuss art-ear-ree-oh-sis) Where the small connection between the vessels supplying the lungs with blood, and the vessels supplying blood to the body, stays open. This is a very common problem for very premature babies.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation An operation which mends a PDA (see above).

Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP) The pressure applied by the ventilator to inflate the lungs (breathing in).

PEEP (positive end expiratory pressure) Pressure applied during breathing out. This helps to stop the lungs from collapsing while the baby is on the ventilator (see hyaline membrane disease above).

Periodic breathing When a baby pauses breathing for up to 10 seconds.

Periventricular leukomalacia (sometimes called PVL, and pronounced perry-ven-trick-you-la luke-oh-mal-a-zee-a) This is where the brain doesn't get enough oxygen and blood flow when it is developing, and the brain cells may die and be replaced with fluid cysts. These can be seen in ultrasound scans of a baby's brain. Depending on the area affected, PVL may show possible future problems with development.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (sometimes called persistent fetal circulation, and pronounced pur-sis-tant pul-mon-air-ree high-per-ten-shon) Before birth, the blood vessels of the lungs are narrow. If the blood vessels do not relax after birth, lungs can't get enough blood flow. Oxygen, ventilation, and sometimes nitric oxide and drugs, are given to open the narrow vessels.

pH The acidity (low pH value) or alkalinity (raised pH value) of the blood. A value close to 7.3 is normal for a baby's arterial blood (blood which comes from the heart and to the rest of the body).

Phototherapy Using blue (not ultraviolet) light to reduce the bilirubin level in babies with jaundice (see above).

Physiotherapy Special treatment to help a baby's development in their movement and behaviour. This might include advice on positioning and stretching exercises, as well as treatments for their chest.

Platelets A part of the blood that helps with clotting. If levels are low, platelets can be given in a blood transfusion.

Pneumothorax (pronounced new-mo-thor-axe) When the lung has leaked air between the lung and chest wall (rib cage). This makes it hard for the lungs to expand and take in air. The air can be removed using a chest drain (see above).

Posset When the baby brings up a small amount of milk after feeding.

Pre-eclampsia This condition is quite common in pregnancies and can cause the baby to be born prematurely. It can be dangerous, particularly if it develops quickly. The main symptoms are headaches and swollen feet, which are linked to having high blood pressure. Bed-rest can help, but sometimes the only way to stop pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby early.

Preterm baby A word used by health professionals to describe a premature baby, born before reaching 37 in the womb.

Pulse oximeter This measures oxygen saturation levels (see above).

R

Resuscitate The help given to babies (usually at birth but sometimes during their stay in the neonatal unit) when they need urgent help with their breathing and circulation.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) Damage to the retina (back) area of the eye that is sensitive to light. Premature babies and those born with a very low birth weight are at a higher risk of this condition. It is linked to the amount of oxygen in the blood reaching the retina. It is most common in premature babies born before 32 week's gestation, or babies born weighing under 1500g at birth. These babies are regularly checked for retinopathy of prematurity by a specialist ophthalmologist (a doctor who is an expert in the eyes).

Respiratory syncytial virus (sometimes called RSV, and pronounced res-pir-a-tor-ree sink-ee-tal vi-russ) This virus causes cold-like symptoms, and affects a lot of babies. can make it harder to breathe if the lungs are affected. If your baby was born prematurely, gets a lot of lung infections, or was born with a congenital heart problem, they could become more poorly than other babies if they catch RSV. Very high risk babies might be given a vaccination against the virus.

S

Saturation monitor (prounounced sat-ture-a-shon) See 'Pulse oximeter'.

Scans (ultrasound) The ultrasound scan used on the neonatal unit is similar scans done on pregnant women. The most common scan is on the brain. This is done with a small probe on the fontanelle (see above). There can be lots of reasons for doing scans, but usually it will be to monitor a premature baby's brain, as they are at risk of bleeding into the brain. Other parts of the body that might need ultrasound scanning are the tummy or the heart. A scan of the heart is often called an echocardiograph, shortened to an 'echo'.

SCBU This stands for special care baby unit.

Small for gestational age (SGA) A baby whose birth weight is lower than that of 90% of babies of the same gestational age (see above).

Sleep study This is a test done on babies who have been on oxygen for a long time. It is often done a short time before the baby is due to go home. The test sees whether the baby can keep their own oxygen levels in a safe range. If the baby is to going to go home on oxygen, then the test is used to set the amount of oxygen that the baby will need. Usually the sleep study will happen over a period of 12 hours and must include a period when the baby is in quiet sleep, as this is the time that the body's oxygen levels are usually at their lowest.

Steroids Steroids (or corticosteriods) are used in several ways. They can be:

Given to mums before the baby is born, when the birth seems likely to happen early. The drug crosses the placenta and causes the baby's lungs to mature, ready for breathing.

Given in the first week or so after birth to babies getting intensive care, to improve the blood pressure in babies with very low blood pressure, where other medication is not working

Given to babies with chronic lung disease (see above), as it may be difficult for the baby to come off the breathing machine. Low doses of steroids can reduce any inflammation (swelling) in the lung.

Stridor A harsh noise made by a baby on breathing in, because of a blockage in the upper airway.

Surfactant (pronounced sir-fact-ant) A mixture of chemicals that stop the lungs from collapsing when the baby breathes out. The lungs start making this at about 24 weeks' gestation, but is not well developed before 36 weeks'. This can be the cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS - see above). Replacement surfactant can be given as a liquid into the lungs of the premature baby soon after birth.

Syringe driver See infusion pump above.

T

Tachycardia (pronounced tack-ee-card-ee-ya) A rapid heartbeat. Sometimes health professionals might say a baby is 'tachy' if they have a fast heart rate.

Tachypnoea (pronounced tack-ip-knee-a) Rapid breathing rate.

Temperature skin probe A small device that is put on the skin to measure the baby's temperature.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) See 'Parenteral Nutrition' above.

Transcutaneous monitors (pronounced trans-cue-tain-ee-uss) This is a monitoring device that is put on the skin to measure the blood oxygen or carbon dioxide levels.

Transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN).

This affects babies born at term. In the womb, babies have their lungs full of fluid (amniotic fluid) which is very important for lung growth. When they are born, the baby takes a few deep breaths and pushes the fluid out into their circulation. If the baby does not take enough deep breaths, the lungs keep some of the fluid.

Transport incubators This is a special incubator that is used if the baby needs to be transferred to another hospital or a different part of the hospital. to another hospital or a different part of the hospital.

Trophic feeds Very small volume tube feeds that are given to prepare the gut at the start of feeding.

Tube feeding When the baby is fed through a small, fine tube that runs from the nose or mouth straight into the stomach. It is mainly used when a baby is too unwell or premature to feed by themselves.

U

Ultrasound scan See 'Scans' above.

Umbilical catheter A plastic tube put through one an umbilical artery or vein. A catheter in the artery is used to take blood samples and to measure blood pressure. A catheter in the vein is used to give fluids and drugs.

V

Ventilation is mechanical support with breathing, so that the baby will be able to have normal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in their blood when unable to achieve them for themselves. There are several different types of ventilation.

Ventricle (cardiac) - pronounced ven-trick-al

The pumping chamber of the heart.

Ventricle (brain) Space within the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid (see above). This is where bleeding most commonly occurs in premature babies (see intra-ventricular haemorrhage above).

Ventricular tap (pronounced ven-trick-you-la) After an intra-ventricular haemorrhage (see above) a quick build-up of cerebrospinal fluid may happen, causing the head to grow too quickly (hydrocephalus, see above). This can be temporarily treated by putting a needle through the fontanelle (see above) and taking out some of the excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt (pronounced ven-trick-you-lo perry-ton-eel)
This is a tube with one end put into the ventricles in the brain, and the other into the abdominal cavity (in the tummy) to drain cerebrospinal fluid. This is used as a treatment for hydrocephalus (see above).

Very low birth weight (VLBW) A baby born that is less than 1500g.

Vital signs monitor A monitor that measures important signs like blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation levels.

Vitamin K A naturally-occurring vitamin that is important for the clotting of blood. Newborn babies often don't have enough vitamin K and are given it to stop them from bleeding too much.

The information in this section is due for review November 2025

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Words you might hear on the neonatal unit | Bliss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This page contains a guide to help you understand some of the common words and terms you might hear while on a neonatal unit.

# data[].attributes.body
Multiples are more likely to be born early and we know that very small or premature babies can find it difficult to breastfeed at the beginning.  If you are unable to feed your babies straight away it doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to breastfeed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many mothers of twins or more breastfeed their babies successfully and we're here to support you.

Multiples are more likely to be born early and we know that very small or premature babies can find it difficult to breastfeed at the beginning. If you are unable to feed your babies straight away it doesn't mean that you won't be able to breastfeed.

Spending time with your babies, giving them skin-to-skin time with you or your partner and expressing breastmilk regularly, can all help babies to get going with breastfeeding. Talk to the hospital staff and your midwife about how they can support you to feed your babies in the way you want to.

To help you prepare for breastfeeding Twins Trust suggest that you:

Personal stories

Our work with peer-to-peer breastfeeding supporters has been made possible thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many mothers breastfeed their twins, triplets or more. Twins Trust is here to support you with whichever feeding choice is best for your family.

# data[].attributes.body
An online course to help parents navigate their Neonatal Journey

# data[].attributes.body
However your baby is being fed they show the same signs of when they are ready.

# data[].attributes.body
After leaving the neonatal unit, you may be worried about your baby becoming unwell. This is something many parents experience, especially when they have become used to the support of the unit staff. Many parents worry that they won’t be able to notice the signs that their baby is becoming unwell

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
After leaving the neonatal unit, you may be worried about your baby becoming unwell. This is something many parents experience, especially when they have become used to the support of the unit staff. Many parents worry that they won't be able to notice the signs that their baby is becoming unwell.

Babies who are born premature or sick may have weaker immune systems than babies born at full-term. It is important to be prepared if your baby is at high risk, particularly in the winter months. This is to reduce the risk of infection. We have more information about common infectious illnesses.

Some babies may be more snuffly when they come home from the unit, or you may hear a quiet sniffling sound. This may be because of the change in atmosphere and temperature, and more dust at home. The snuffling will settle down, but this may take a few weeks. If your baby seems well otherwise and is able to feed, try not to worry. If you hear a wheezing, whistling or grunting noise when your baby is breathing out, you should see your doctor immediately.

If you are concerned about any changes in your baby's behaviour, you should see your GP. You can also call 111 for medical help over the phone.

Call 999 immediately if you think your baby might be seriously unwell.

How to check your baby's temperature

Many parents worry about their baby being too hot or too cold. You can firstly check your baby's temperature by feeling the back of their neck or tummy. It is normal for a baby's hands to feel cooler than the rest of their body.

To check your baby's temperature, you can place a digital thermometer under their armpit. Your baby's temperature should normally be between 36.5 and 37.1°C (97.7 to 98.7°F).

Readmission to hospital

Your baby may need to be readmitted to hospital after they come home. Common reasons for readmission include infection, breathing difficulties and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes). If this happens, it may be a worrying and upsetting time, especially when your baby has overcome so many difficulties already.

Babies who need to be readmitted to hospital are likely to be admitted to the children's ward, not the neonatal unit. This is a different environment to the neonatal unit, so may feel strange in comparison. You can talk to staff on the unit about how you are feeling. They will be happy to listen and support you.

How to know if your baby is becoming unwell

Some parents worry about how to recognise the signs that their baby is becoming unwell. Here are some of the things to look out for:

Being more fretful than usual. This means they may be restless, crying more than usual, or fussier than usual.

A high or low temperature.

Refusing or being reluctant to feed.

Vomiting more than usual.

A change in stools - more frequent, watery or 'explosive' than usual.

There are some signs that might show that your baby needs urgent medical advice. These include:

blotchy skin or a rash that does not fade if you press the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin

pausing for a few seconds between breaths

being paler than usual

being unresponsive, floppy or not waking up as easily as usual

showing signs of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes)

difficulty breathing (for example, their breathing being quicker and louder than usual)

a wheezing, whistling or grunting noise when your baby is breathing out.

If you notice any of these symptoms you should see your GP straight away. You can also call 111 for medical help over the phone. Call 999 immediately if you think your baby might be seriously unwell.

The Lullaby Trust have a Baby Check app that you may find helpful. It takes parents through 19 checks that they can do if their baby show signs of becoming unwell. The app is available on Android and Apple devices. Find out more here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
If your baby is unwell when you go home | Bliss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out what to do if you think your premature or sick baby is becoming unwell after leaving the neonatal unit.

# data[].attributes.body
A wealth of information and support right from the beginning of your Neonatal journey.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
For babies born premature or sick | Bliss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our vision is that every baby born premature or sick in the UK has the best chance of survival and quality of life.

# data[].attributes.body
CATCH eases the sense of information overload, particularly regarding pregnancy and children’s health. With the number of resources available, it can be difficult to know who to trust. CATCH provides local NHS-approved information.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
CATCH eases the sense of information overload, particularly regarding pregnancy and children's health. With the number of resources available, it can be difficult to know who to trust. CATCH provides local NHS-approved information with your best interests at heart, so you won't need to look elsewhere.

All of the information provided by CATCH comes from NHS-approved sources and has been reviewed by health professionals from your area.

You will regularly receive health advice tailored to your child's age as they grow.

We only ask for the first part of your postcode to identify your local health authority. We never store any of your personal data in the cloud.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
CATCH - Common Approach To Children's Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
CATCH eases the sense of information overload, particularly regarding pregnancy and children's health. With the number of resources available, it can be difficult to know who to trust. CATCH provides local NHS-approved information with your best interests at heart, so you won't need to look elsewhere.

# data[].attributes.headline
British Red Cross Baby and Child first Aid App

# data[].attributes.subject
British Red Cross Baby and Child first Aid App

# data[].attributes.body
Learn first aid fast and stay prepared for emergencies wherever you are. Download guidance and training for free.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have first aid skills with you wherever you go with the British Red Cross apps.

With our British Red Cross apps you're only two taps away from learning how to help someone in a first aid emergency.

The apps allow you to learn simple first aid skills at a time to suit you and keep your knowledge refreshed.

The information is all on the apps themselves, meaning you don't need an internet connection and can access it on the go.

Baby and child first aid app

Our free baby and child first aid app helps you keep your little ones safe. The app is designed to support parents, grandparents and caregivers to learn 17 first aid skills to help in a first aid emergency.

You can also find tips on how to prepare for emergencies both at home or while out and about.

Key features:

Simple step-by-step skill guides

Videos

Animations

Interactive quizzes

Toolkit feature to record children's medical needs

Useful tips and signpost to further information

First aid course information

First aid app

Our free first aid app covers 19 first aid skills. Using a simple and easy to learn approach, the app is suitable for anyone looking to learn first aid to help others in an emergency.

You can also find tips on how to prepare for emergencies both at home or while out and about.

Key features:

Simple step-by-step guides

Videos

Interactive quizzes

Useful tips and signpost to further information

First aid course information

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
British Red Cross mobile apps: First aid skills and techniques

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Have first aid skills with you wherever you go with the British Red Cross apps. With our British Red Cross apps you're only two taps away from learning how to help someone in a first aid emergency. The apps allow you to learn simple first aid skills at a time to suit you and keep your knowledge refreshed.

# data[].attributes.body
The Baby Check app is designed for babies up to six months of age and features 17 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience. If you continue, we will assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website. Accept

Baby Check App

Baby Check features 19 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness. Each check tests for a different symptom and when completed, a score is calculated that tells parents or carers how ill their baby is. The app then lets parents know whether their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional.

Download for FREE from Google Play or the App Store.

Buy posters, business cards and other materials to help promote Baby Check to your clients and patients

Shop

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Baby Check App helps parents decide if their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional

# data[].attributes.headline
My baby's monitoring on the Neonatal Unit

# data[].attributes.subject
My baby's monitoring on the Neonatal Unit

# data[].attributes.headline
Information and advice for caring for your baby on the Neonatal Unit

# data[].attributes.subject
Information and advice for caring for your baby on the Neonatal Unit

# data[].attributes.body
When your baby is born too early it can stir up all kinds of emotions. be gentle with yourself as you navigate your journey.

# data[].attributes.body
Ronald Mc Donald House is only a short walk away from Southampton Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, enabling families to stay close to their baby.

Please ask a member of the nursing team to make a referral to check if this is available to you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A Ronald McDonald House is a comfortable and welcoming place for families with sick children to rest, just steps away from the hospital. Katie and Emma met each other in the Ronald McDonald House kitchen and now they're lifelong friends.

# data[].attributes.body
We recognise that this can be a challenging time for families, these cards have been co-produced with other neonatal families to support Family Integrated Care.

# data[].attributes.body
In the first few days after birth, your breasts make a substance called colostrum. It’s thick, often golden in colour, and packed with nutrients and antibodies.

You may have decided that you don't wish to breastfeed, but you may want to express a little colostrum to provide your baby with some of its benefits.

Please use your Golden Drop pack to help you collect and express colostrum.

# data[].attributes.body
What do I need to bottle feed my baby?

How do I make up formula?

How do I keep my baby's bottles clean?

How do I pace feed?

This guide answers all these questions

# data[].attributes.body
Breastmilk helps reduce the risk of serious infections, supports healthy gut, immune system and brain development, It is also easier for premature babies to digest than formula. When a baby is not yet able to feed directly at the breast, expressing ensures they still receive these essential benefits, supports the mother’s milk supply, and helps establish breastfeeding when the baby becomes stronger.

# data[].attributes.body
Correct attachment on the breast and feeding well will help establish a good milk supply.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Positioning and attachment

# data[].attributes.body
Before using a breast pump, we need to see what size kit you require. This video below shows you how to measure your size. The neonatal nurse looking after you can also measure for kit size, please ask them if you require support.

# data[].attributes.body
Demonstration of hand expressing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Hand expression

# data[].attributes.body
Information and guidance on choosing and using baby equipment to keep your baby safe.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mattresses and bedding Car seats Other baby products Second-hand baby products Slings and swaddling Dummies ↩️ Take me to the safer sleep advice landing page instead

# data[].attributes.body
An opportunity to reflect on your maternity care.

# data[].attributes.body
Feeding parents of children in hospital was a priority for Sophie.

Parents on the Neonatal Unit are provided with a meal discount voucher as well as ready meals and snacks.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sophie's Legacy -in memory of a remarkable young girl who touched so many lives. Find out her story and shop items to help contribute to Sophies legacy.

# data[].attributes.body
They are a community neonatal team based at Princess Anne Hospital and provide specialist support for babies going home from the neonatal intensive care unit or the postnatal wards with their families.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
NHS Talking Therapies Hampshire                                    Talking therapies and practical wellbeing support over the phone, online or in groups in Winchester, Eastleigh, the New Forest, Fareham and Gosport.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
NHS Talking Therapies Hampshire | Talking therapies and practical wellbeing support over the phone, online or in groups in Winchester, Eastleigh, the New Forest, Fareham and Gosport.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Talking therapies and practical wellbeing support over the phone, online or in groups in Winchester, Eastleigh, the New Forest, Fareham and Gosport.

# data[].attributes.body
A podcast hosted by parents for parents, discussing some of the issues faced during the neonatal unit journey.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unexpected Beginnings: The Neonatal Unit - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Leeds Children’s Hospital launches second series of ‘Unexpected Beginnings’ podcast with an episode about Christmas on the Neonatal Unit.

# data[].attributes.body
Southampton Hospital Charity fund VCreate an invaluable photo/video messaging service, a lifeline to many families particularly if they are separated from their baby in a different hospital.

Charity money has been used to improve facilities for babies and their Families including refurbishing parent areas. Fundraising has helped buy up to date and appropriate equipment for each baby.

Any donations are gratefully received, for more information email

Neonatalfamilycare@uhs.nhs.uk .

If you have a suggestion or preference for how your donation could be used please let us know.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Southampton's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit treats around 900 babies a year. Specialist equipment and support is needed for our youngest patients - donate today

# data[].attributes.body
Newborn blood spot screening involves taking a blood sample to find out if your baby has 1 of 9 rare but serious health conditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This information was created on behalf of the NHS. In this information, the word 'we' refers to the NHS service that provides screening.

This short video explains blood spot screening in newborn babies.
Newborn blood spot video
Blood spot screening is recommended by the NHS.

1. Purpose of screening

To find out if your baby has any of 9 rare but serious health conditions.

Early treatment can improve your baby's health and prevent severe disability or even death. If you, the baby's father, or a family member already has one of these conditions, please tell your health professional straight away.

2. About these conditions

2.1 Sickle cell disease

About 1 in 2,800 babies born in the UK has a sickle cell disease ( SCD). These are serious, inherited blood diseases. They affect haemoglobin, a part of the blood that carries oxygen around the body. Babies who have SCD will need specialist care throughout their lives.

People with SCD can have attacks of severe pain, get serious, life-threatening infections and are usually anaemic (their bodies have difficulty carrying oxygen). Babies with SCD can receive early treatment, including vaccinations and antibiotics, which, along with support from their parents, will help prevent serious illness and allow them to live a healthier life.

2.2 Cystic fibrosis

About 1 in 2,500 babies born in the UK has cystic fibrosis ( CF). This inherited condition affects the digestion and lungs. Babies with CF may not gain weight well and frequently have chest infections. Babies with CF can be treated early with a high-energy diet, medicines and physiotherapy. Although children with CF may still become very ill, early treatment can help them live longer, healthier lives.

2.3 Congenital hypothyroidism

About 1 in 2,000 babies born in the UK has congenital hypothyroidism ( CHT). Babies with CHT do not have enough of the hormone thyroxine. Without thyroxine babies do not grow properly and they can develop permanent serious physical problems and learning disabilities.

Babies with CHT can be treated early with thyroxine tablets and this will allow them to develop normally.

It is important to let your health professional know if you have a family history of a metabolic condition. Babies are screened for 6 inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs).

These are:

phenylketonuria (PKU)

medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD)

maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)

isovaleric acidaemia (IVA)

glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1)

homocystinuria (pyridoxine unresponsive) (HCU)

About 1 in 10,000 babies born in the UK has PKU or MCADD. The other conditions are rarer, occurring in 1 in 150,000 babies to 1 in 300,000 babies.

Babies with these inherited conditions cannot process certain substances in their food. Without treatment babies with some of these conditions can become suddenly and seriously ill. The symptoms of the conditions are different; some may be life threatening or lead to severe developmental problems.

They can all be treated by a carefully managed diet, which is different for each condition and may include additional medicines.

3. The screening test

When your baby is 5 days old the health professional will prick your baby's heel using a special device to collect some drops of blood onto a card. Occasionally this may be later than 5 days. The heel prick may be uncomfortable and your baby may cry. You can help by making sure your baby is warm and comfortable, and by cuddling and feeding them.

Sometimes, a second blood spot sample is required later on. If so, the reason will be explained. It does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with your baby.

4. Safety of the test

There are no known risks to your baby associated with having the test.

5. Screening is your choice

Screening your baby for all these conditions is recommended because it could save your baby's life but it is not compulsory. You can choose to have screening for SCD, CF or CHT individually but can only choose to have screening for all 6 IMDs or none at all. If you do not want your baby screened for any of the conditions or have any concerns about the test, please talk to your midwife.

Early screening is best as treatment can be started as soon as possible if needed. But if you choose not to have screening, your baby can have the test later if you change your mind. Babies can be screened up to 12 months of age for all the conditions except CF (only up to 8 weeks of age).

6. Possible results

Most babies will have normal results indicating that it is unlikely that they have any of the conditions. A small number of babies will screen positive for one of the conditions. This does not mean they have the condition but they are more likely to have it. They will be referred to a specialist for further tests.

Screening for cystic fibrosis finds some babies who may be genetic carriers of the condition. These babies may need further testing. Screening does not detect all carriers.

Occasionally, other medical conditions might be identified through these screening tests. For example, babies with beta thalassaemia major (a serious blood disease) will usually be detected. These children also need to be referred for lifelong treatment and care.

Screening for sickle cell disease also finds babies who are genetic carriers of these or other red blood cell diseases. Carriers are healthy although they can experience some problems in situations where their bodies might not get enough oxygen, for example, if they are having an anaesthetic.

7. Getting my results

You should receive the results from a health professional by the time your baby is 6 weeks old. The results should be recorded in your baby's personal child health record ('red book'). Please keep this safe and bring it with you to any further appointments. You will be contacted sooner if there is thought to be any problem with your baby.

8. My baby's blood spot card and data after screening

After screening blood spot cards are stored for at least 5 years and may be used:

to check the result or for other tests recommended by your doctor

to improve the screening programme

for research to help improve the health of babies and their families in the UK (this will not identify your baby and you will not be contacted)

In addition, there is a small chance that researchers may want to invite you or your child to take part in information gathering linked to the newborn blood spot screening programme. Researchers undertaking any additional studies would explain what is being done and you would then be asked if you wish to take part in that study. Please let your midwife know if you do not want to be contacted to discuss taking part in any additional information gathering.

All use of the blood spots is governed by the code of practice. Any research will have been approved by an independent research ethics committee.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This information was created on behalf of the NHS. In this information, the word 'we' refers to the NHS service that provides screening. This short video explains blood spot screening in newborn babies. Newborn blood spot video Blood spot screening is recommended by the NHS.

# data[].attributes.body
Information to guide your choice of formula and advice on responsive bottle feeding

# data[].attributes.headline
Transferring your Baby for Kangaroo Care

# data[].attributes.subject
Transferring your Baby for Kangaroo Care

# data[].attributes.body
How to safely transfer your baby for kangaroo care.

# data[].attributes.body
Scroll right to access the following topics.

-Columns/topics are titled for ease of use

-Scroll up and down through each column to find information/links

-Clink on the website link (if present) or video/photograph to open

-Scroll right through the topic

-You can choose as and when you access the information throughout your neonatal journey

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

# data[].attributes.body
Neonatal care for premature and sick babies is organised into geographical areas around the country where hospitals work together and are called neonatal networks.

Southampton Neonatal Unit is part of the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal Network.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The neonatal networks within the South East region consist of the Thames Valley and Wessex Operational Delivery Network and the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Operational Delivery Network. The two combined networks cover 27 provider units.

# data[].attributes.headline
Reducing the risk of infection for your baby

# data[].attributes.subject
Reducing the risk of infection for your baby

# data[].attributes.body
There are some key things that everyone can do to reduce the risk of serious infections in babies. It’s important to follow THANKS – Think Hands And No KisseS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Why do we need to keep babies safe from infection?

It is very important to try and keep babies safe from infection, particularly in the first few weeks of life. Babies have immature immune systems , which means that they are particularly at risk from infections. Infections that may be mild in older children or adults can be

There are some key things that everyone can do to reduce the risk of serious infections in babies. It's important to follow THANKS - Think Hands And No Kisse S

It's also important not to visit a baby if you are ill or have recently been ill. This includes active cold sores as well as diarrhoea and vomiting illnesses. Staying away until you are fully recovered is a key part of keeping babies safe from infection.

Our THANKS buggy tags can be used on your pram to remind people to think twice about touching your baby while you're out and about, particularly if they haven't washed their hands.
Buy a buggy tag

Spotting infections in babies

It can be difficult to tell when your baby has an infection as infections can cause lots of different signs and symptoms, and babies can't say how they feel. But trust your instincts and, if you feel that something is 'not quite right' with your baby, seek help from your midwife, health visitor, GP, NHS 111 or visit an emergency department if you are very worried.
Your baby might have a serious infection if they:
You should also keep an eye on your baby's wet nappies and feeding and speak to a health professional if they have had fewer than 2-3 wet nappies in a 24-hour period.
It is important to get help if you are concerned that your baby might have an infection.

In collaboration with Annabel Karmel, who lost her baby, Natasha, to infection, we are currently running an awareness campaign around the importance of infection prevention. Watch Annabel's story here:
Infection Prevention Campaign

Key information to tell your health professional

Taking steps to prevent and keep babies safe from infection helps a lot, but it's also important to be aware of any exposures in pregnancy or after your baby was born that might have increased their risk of infection.

If you think your baby might have an infection, it is important that health professionals have all the information they need to help them treat your baby.

You will need to let them know if any of the following apply.

🔸 Baby's biological mother:

Had any illnesses during pregnancy such as flu-like symptoms

Missed any routine vaccinations in pregnancy , such as COVID-19, influenza or pertussis vaccines

Developed chicken pox 7 days before or after baby's birth

Has blisters or a rash on their breast/nipple (if breastfeeding)

Has ever had a genital herpes infection , even if they don't currently have symptoms

Had sexual contact with a new partner during pregnancy , particularly in the third trimester

Experienced symptoms of sexually transmitted disease during pregnancy

Travelled overseas during pregnancy

🔸 You or your baby:

🔸 Your baby has had contact with anyone who:

Make sure that you tell the health professionals caring for your baby if any of these apply to you, even if they don't ask. Having this information may give them clues as to why your baby is unwell.

Useful links for spotting and preventing infections

Download our infection prevention posters and red book insert from the bottom of this page. These resources are free to use and have been created in consultation with BPAIIG.

Here are some other links you may find useful:

🟡 Neonatal Herpes

Click here for information about Neonatal Herpes

Herpes simplex virus infection in a newborn baby is called neonatal herpes or neonatal HSV. In young babies who have immature immune systems, HSV infections can spread rapidly if left untreated, causing irreversible cell damage which can lead to permanent disability or death.

Early recognition and prompt treatment with antiviral medication is essential to save the baby's life.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a very common and highly contagious virus which usually spreads from person to person by direct contact. HSV is carried by around 70% of adults in the UK and many carriers have no symptoms at all but in others it can lead to cold sores, blisters on the finger (called herpetic whitlow) or genital ulcers/sores. Infections on other areas of the body including the breast are also possible, but less common.

In older children and adults with normal immune systems, HSV infections are not normally serious and will get better without treatment but if left untreated in young babies, it is life-threatening.
More info here:
🟡 Group B Strep

Click here for information about Group B Strep

Group B Strep is one of the many bacteria that normally live in our bodies and usually cause no harm. It can be passed from person to person through direct physical contact, however it is not a sexually transmitted disease.

Testing for Group B Strep is not routinely offered to all pregnant women in the UK, often it is found by chance after a swab or urine test for another reason. Even if you carry Group B Strep, it is unlikely that your baby will develop this infection, however the risk of your baby becoming unwell with a Group B Strep infection is increased if your baby is born pre-term, if you have signs of infection in labour or if your labour hasn't started more than 24 hours after your waters break. Most early-onset Group B Strep infections can be prevented by antibiotics during labour. You should be offered these if you have tested positive for Group B Strep in pregnancy or if you have previously had a baby affected by a Group B Strep infection.
More info here:
🟡 Healthier Together

Click here for information about Healthier Together

The Healthier Together programme involves patients and healthcare professionals working together to improve how local healthcare is delivered. Each website, tailored for your specific region, provides advice for parents, young people and pregnant women, and clinical resources to support healthcare professionals - which means that your child is likely to receive consistently high-quality care, irrespective of which healthcare professional they see.
More info here:
🟡 Baby Check App

Click here for information about our free app

Baby Check is a free app from The Lullaby Trust. It features 19 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness. Each check tests for a different symptom and when completed, a score is calculated that tells parents or carers how ill their baby is. The app then lets parents know whether their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional.
More info here: Download for FREE here:
The Lullaby Trust and Kit Tarka Foundation

Click here to read about The Lullaby Trust and Kit Tarka Foundation

You may have spotted an adorable little otter on our resources for preventing and spotting infections in babies. This very special otter symbolises the work of the Kit Tarka Foundation, whose guidance has been developed to create these important resources.

Kit Tarka Foundation was established in 2018 by Sarah and James de Malplaquet after their son Kit Tarka died at just 13 days old.

Kit's story

After discovering that Kit had died from neonatal herpes (the  cold sore virus in babies), Sarah set out to learn as much as she could about this devastating disease. She was astonished by the lack of awareness amongst the general public and, most disturbingly, by the huge gaps in knowledge of symptoms and best practice in the UK medical profession. It soon became clear that Kit's death had been preventable and that the lack of knowledge around the transmission, recognition and treatment of the virus had led to his tragic and untimely death .
You can tap here to read Kit's story
Deepening understanding around keeping babies safe from infection

After contacting several charities to see if they could facilitate long overdue research into neonatal herpes but being told it was not within the scope of any of them, Sarah and James decided they needed to establish their own charity to help prevent more tragedies like Kit's. To that end, Kit Tarka Foundation was launched with a mission to prevent newborn baby deaths through research and education, and deepen understanding around how to keep babies safe from infection.

With the sad news that Kit Tarka Foundation was winding down its activities in 2023, we at The Lullaby Trust felt that the work of this wonderful charity fit perfectly with our own mission of 'saving more babies lives'. Subsequently, the fantastic work of the Kit Tarka Foundation has been further developed with a team of infant infection specialists at The Lullaby Trust to widen the scope and cover a greater range of infant infections, with an ultimate goal to ensure this life saving information reaches as may families as possible.

Why an otter?

Kit was given the middle name Tarka for Sarah's love of swimming and James' love of otters. He was their little otter who never got to swim. They noticed from the clothes that Kit wore in his time with them that they also really liked the colour orange and it became his colour. Friends and family wore orange flowers in remembrance of Kit at his funeral. In memory of Kit and to recognise the outstanding work of the Kit Tarka Foundation, with kind permission we are happy to share that this little otter has joined us at The Lullaby Trust to continue to help keep babies safe from infections.
Please note, for simplicity of language, the information on this page may include the term 'woman' or 'mother' and this should be taken to include people who do not identify as women but who are pregnant or who have given birth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Keeping babies safe from infection - The Lullaby Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It is important to try and keep babies safe from infection. Reduce the risk of by following THANKS guidance - Think Hands And No KisseS

# data[].attributes.body
Hand washing will become part of your normal routine whilst on the neonatal, it is so important to stop the spread of infections. Here is a video on how to wash your hands effectively.

# data[].attributes.body
If your baby has already had some of their vaccinations they will be documented in your Child Health Record Book.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
you think you or your child have missed any vaccinations

you or your child have a vaccination appointment - but you've missed it or cannot attend

Your GP surgery can book or rearrange an appointment.

It's best to have vaccines on time, but you can still catch up on most vaccines if you miss them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A full list of the routine vaccinations offered on the NHS and when they should be given.

# data[].attributes.body
Some babies will have a Car Seat Challenge before going home to make sure they are safe to travel. Some adjustments may be needed to achieve this. The nurse looking after your family will let you know if your baby needs one.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to main content

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies

Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.

Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt.

You can choose a child car seat based on your child's height or weight.

Height-based seats

Height-based seats are known as 'i-Size' seats. They must be rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old. Your child can use a forward-facing child car seat when they're over 15 months old.

You must check the seat to make sure it's suitable for the height of your child.

Only EU-approved height-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital 'E' in a circle and 'R129'.

Weight-based seats

The seat your child can use (and the way they must be restrained in it) depends on their weight.

Only EU-approved weight-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital 'E' in a circle and 'ECE R44'.

You may be able to choose from more than one type of seat in the group for your child's weight.

0kg to 10kg

0

Lie-flat or 'lateral' baby carrier, rear-facing baby carrier, or rear-facing baby seat using a harness

0kg to 13kg

0+

Rear-facing baby carrier or rear-facing baby seat using a harness

9kg to 18kg

1

Rear- or forward-facing baby seat using a harness or safety shield

15kg to 25kg

2

Rear- or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield

22kg to 36kg

3

Rear- or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield

Manufacturers can now only make booster cushions approved as group 3. This won't affect any existing booster cushions in group 2 and you'll still be able to use them.

Fitting a child car seat

You must only use a child car seat if your car's seat belt has a diagonal strap, unless the seat is either:

specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt

fitted using ISOFIX anchor points

You must also:

deactivate any front airbags before fitting a rear-facing baby seat in a front seat

not fit a child car seat in side-facing seats

Children with disabilities or medical conditions

The same rules apply for children with disabilities or medical conditions, but they can use a disabled person's seat belt or a child restraint designed for their needs.

A doctor can issue an exemption certificate if a child is unable to use a restraint or seat belt because of their condition.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The rules for child car seats and booster seats - height, weight, age, type of vehicle, car, minibus, licensed taxi

# data[].attributes.body
When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming.

ICON offers advice and support for you and your new born.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Babies cry, you can cope When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming. Help is out there and all you need to do is ask. Latest news Testimonials

# data[].attributes.body
If you would like to find out about resuscitation training ask the nurse looking after your family.

Some parents will be told that they need resuscitation training before they can go home and this will be arranged by the team looking after your baby.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Before you leave the neonatal unit, a trained doctor or nurse will show you how to resuscitate your baby if they stop breathing.

The thought of having to resuscitate your baby can be very scary, and is something that no parent or carer ever wants to have to do or think about. But the training is designed to help you be as prepared as possible.

Research suggests that learning how to resuscitate your baby could help increase your confidence and reduce any anxiety you may have.

If your baby stops breathing, it is important to stay calm and call 999; the emergency call handler will help. If you need to perform CPR on your baby, the call handler will talk you through the process until the ambulance arrives.

We have more information on what to do if you think your baby is becoming unwell.

We are currently reviewing our resuscitation video and will upload the new version later this year. Until then, our friends at the St John's Ambulance have an instructional video about what to do if your baby stops breathing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Having resuscitation training can help you be more prepared to care for your premature or sick baby after leaving the neonatal unit.

# data[].attributes.body
A short video to explain getting ready to go home with your little one.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Stay in Neonatal Care - Preparing to Take Your Baby Home

# data[].attributes.body
Information for parents about eye screening for premature babies.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Screening for retinopathy of prematurity - information for parents and carers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You have been given this leaflet because your baby was born at less than 31 weeks of pregnancy (very premature birth) or had a birthweight under 1501 grams and is at risk of developing ROP. It will give you more information about ROP, clarify what happens during screening and how you can support your baby and explain what happens after screening.

# data[].attributes.body
When your baby is well enough and before they go home they will have a Hearing test.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Public Health England (PHE) created this information on behalf of the NHS. In this information, the word ‘we’ refers to the NHS service that provides screening.

# data[].attributes.body
Before your baby goes home the Medical Team will perform the New Born Examination this will include asking you some family health questions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Public Health England (PHE) created this information on behalf of the NHS. In this information, the word 'we' refers to the NHS service that provides screening.

This short video explains screening for eyes, heart, hips and testes in newborn babies.
Newborn and infant physical examination video
The newborn physical examination is recommended by the NHS.

1. Purpose of screening

Within 72 hours of giving birth, you will be offered a top-to-toe physical examination for your baby. This will include 4 specific screening tests to find out whether your baby has a suspected problem with their eyes, heart, hips or, in boys, their testes which would benefit from early investigation and possible treatment.

The screening tests are carried out again between 6 and 8 weeks of age as some conditions do not develop or become apparent until then.

2. About the conditions

Each part of the physical examination is looking for different conditions.

About 2 or 3 in 10,000 babies have problems with their eyes that need treatment. The examination checks the appearance and movement of the eyes. The main reason for screening is to identify a condition called cataracts (a clouding of the transparent lens inside the eye). The examination cannot tell how well your baby can see.

Around 8 per 1,000 babies will have a heart problem or condition. This could range from a heart murmur to a problem needing specialist care or treatment. A murmur is a noise made by the blood as it passes through the heart. In almost all cases when a murmur is heard, the heart is normal. Murmurs are common in babies and this does not always mean there is a problem.

Babies can be born with hip joints that are not formed properly and if untreated this can lead to a limp and to joint problems. About 1 or 2 in 1,000 babies have hip problems that need treatment.

Baby boys are checked to make sure their testes are in the right place. It can take several months for testes to drop down (descend) into the scrotum. About 1 in 100 baby boys have problems with undescended testes that need treatment to reduce the risk of problems later in life, such as reduced fertility.

3. The screening test

A trained health professional will carry out a physical examination of your baby and ask you questions about your baby's general wellbeing.

Your baby will need to be undressed for part of the examination. During the examination the health professional will:

look into your baby's eyes focusing on how their eyes look and move

listen to their heart using a stethoscope to detect heart sounds

examine their hips to ensure the joints are working properly

examine baby boys to check if their testes are in the right place

These screening tests are carried out within 72 hours of birth and again when your baby is between 6 and 8 weeks of age.

4. Safety of the test

There are no risks associated with having this test.

5. Screening is your choice

The examination is intended to identify any of the problems early so that treatment can be started as soon as possible.

The general physical examination including this screening is therefore recommended for your baby.

6. Not having the test

You can decide to have your baby examined and screened for any or all of the conditions. If you have any concerns you should discuss them with your midwife and the health professional who offers the examination.

7. Possible results

Usually there will be nothing of concern found. If the health professional finds a possible problem, your baby will be referred for further assessment and tests if appropriate.

8. Getting my results

The health professional carrying out the examination will give you the results straight away. If a referral for further assessment is needed, this will also be discussed with you at the time of the examination.

The results will be recorded in your baby's case notes and personal child health record ('red book'). You will need to keep this record safe and make sure it is available whenever your baby sees a health professional.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Eyes, heart, hips and testes (physical examination)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Public Health England (PHE) created this information on behalf of the NHS. In this information, the word 'we' refers to the NHS service that provides screening. This short video explains screening for eyes, heart, hips and testes in newborn babies. Newborn and infant physical examination video The newborn physical examination is recommended by the NHS.

# data[].attributes.body
Some babies need to continue their medications once they have been discharged. Before they go home you will be shown how to do this and have time to practice.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Medicines are not always needed for minor illnesses like coughs and colds in children.
If your child does need a medicine, it's important they have one that's right for their age and you know how to give it to them safely.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen for babies and children

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe for treating pain and a high temperature in babies and children. Both are available as liquid medicines for young children.

It's best to choose a sugar-free version. Medicines that contain sugar can harm your child's teeth.

Make sure you get the right strength for your child's age and check the label for the correct dose. Or you can ask a pharmacist for advice.

It's a good idea to keep one or both medicines stored in a safe place at home.

At what age can I give my baby paracetamol or ibuprofen?

You can give paracetamol to children aged 2 months or older for pain or fever.

You can give ibuprofen to children who are aged 3 months or older and who weigh more than 5kg (11lb).

If your child has asthma, get advice from a GP or pharmacist before giving them ibuprofen.

Do not give aspirin to children under 16 unless it's prescribed by a doctor. It's been linked with a rare but dangerous illness called Reye's syndrome.

If you're breastfeeding, ask your health visitor, midwife or GP for advice before taking aspirin.
Read more about breastfeeding and medicines

Antibiotics for children

Children do not often need antibiotics. Most childhood infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics only treat illnesses caused by bacteria, not viruses.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection, they may seem better after 2 or 3 days. But it's important to always finish the whole course to make sure all the bacteria are killed off.

If you do not finish the whole course, the infection is more likely to come back. It also increases the risk of the bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Antibiotics work best if they are given at regular intervals. Giving them to your child at the same times each day may help you to remember.

Giving medicine to your child

Make sure you know how much and how often to give a medicine. Recording it in your child's Personal Child Health Record (PCHR, or red book) may help you remember.

Always read the label on the bottle, and stick to the recommended dose. If in doubt, check with a pharmacist, health visitor or GP.

Most medicines for young children come with a special measure called an oral syringe.

This helps you measure small doses of medicine more accurately. It also makes it easier to give the medicine to your child.

If you're not sure, your health visitor or pharmacist can explain how to use the syringe.

You can also watch a video from Great Ormond Street Hospital showing how to use an oral syringe.

Never use a kitchen teaspoon to give your baby or child medicine, because they come in different sizes.

Children and side effects from medicine

The leaflet that comes with a medicine will list any possible side effects.

If you think your child is reacting to a medicine - for example, with a rash or diarrhoea - speak to a GP, health visitor or pharmacist. In the evenings or at weekends you can call NHS 111.

Keep a note of the medicine's name in your child's red book for future reference.

Can you get over-the-counter children's medicines for free?

Some pharmacies run what's known as a minor ailment scheme for specific ailments, such as coughs and colds and diarrhoea and vomiting.

When pharmacies provide medicines as part of a minor ailment scheme, you get the medicines on the NHS. You will not pay a prescription charge for children under 16.

Not all pharmacies offer a minor ailment scheme, and the ailments covered by the scheme vary from area to area.

Children's medicine safety tips

Always check the expiry date - if you have any medicines at home that are out of date or your child no longer needs them, take them to a pharmacist to dispose of safely.

Never give your child medicines that have been bought or prescribed for someone else.

Always keep medicines out of your child's reach and out of sight.

Ask a pharmacist about storing the medicine - some need to be kept in the fridge or out of direct sunlight.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Medicines are not always needed for minor illnesses like coughs and colds in children. If your child does need a medicine, it's important they have one that's right for their age and you know how to give it to them safely. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe for treating pain and a high temperature in babies and children.

# data[].attributes.body
Babies and young children get more colds than adults as their resistance to infection builds up over time. For babies born premature or sick, the risk of complications can be higher.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
All adults, children and babies experience illnesses. We become protected from infections by either catching them or through vaccination.

Babies and young children get more colds than adults as their resistance to infections builds up over time. For babies born premature or sick, the risk of complications can be higher.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
All adults, children and babies experience illnesses. We become protected from infections by either catching them or through vaccination. Babies and young children get more colds than adults as their resistance to infections builds up over time. For babies born premature or sick, the risk of...

# data[].attributes.body
Helpful tips on how to sooth your baby and know when to get extra help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
All babies cry, and some more than others. Crying is your baby's way of telling you they need comfort and care.
Sometimes it's easy to work out what they want, and sometimes it's not.

The most common reasons for crying are:

hunger

a dirty or wet nappy

tiredness

wanting a cuddle

wind

being too hot or too cold

boredom

overstimulation

There may be times of the day when your baby tends to cry a lot and cannot be comforted. Early evening is the most common time for this to happen.

This can be hard for you, as it's often the time when you're most tired and least able to cope.

The amount babies cry tends to peak when they're around 4 to 8 weeks old, then gradually tail off.

How to calm a crying baby

Try some of the following ways to comfort your baby. Some may work better than others:

If you're breastfeeding, let your baby suckle at your breast.

Having some gentle noise in the background may help distract your baby.

Some older babies like to use a bit of cloth or a blanket as a comforter.

Hold your baby or put them in a sling so they're close to you. Move about gently, sway and dance, talk to them and sing.

Rock your baby backwards and forwards in the pram, or go out for a walk or a drive. But limit how long your baby sleeps in a car seat to up to 30 minutes for newborns and up to 2 hours for babies. Even if they wake up again when you stop, at least you'll have had a break.

Find something for them to listen to or look at. This could be music on the radio, a CD, a rattle, or a mobile above the cot.

Try stroking your baby's back firmly and rhythmically, holding them against you or lying face downwards on your lap.

Undress your baby and massage them gently and firmly. Avoid using any oils or lotions until your baby's at least a month old. Talk soothingly as you do it and keep the room warm enough. Some health centres and clinics run baby massage courses. For information, ask your midwife or health visitor.

Try a warm bath. This calms some babies instantly, but makes others cry even more.

Sometimes too much rocking and singing can keep your baby awake. You might find lying them down after a feed will help.

Ask your health visitor for advice.

Crying during feeds

Some babies cry and seem unsettled around the time of a feed. If you're breastfeeding, you may find that improving your baby's positioning and attachment helps them settle.

You can go to a breastfeeding drop-in group and ask for help if there's one available in your local area.

The Breastfeeding Network's website can provide information on the nearest group to you.

You can also ask your health visitor for advice.

Crying during feeds can sometimes be a symptom of reflux, a common condition where babies bring back milk after feeds.

Speak to your health visitor or GP for more information and advice.

If your baby cries constantly

There are several reasons that can cause a baby to cry excessively.

It can be exhausting if you have tried everything and nothing seems to comfort your baby.

Colic

Excessive crying could be a sign that your baby has colic. Everyone agrees that colic exists, but nobody knows what causes it.

Some doctors think it's a kind of stomach cramp. The crying sounds miserable and distressed, and stops for a moment or two, then starts up again, which suggests it could be caused by waves of stomach pain.

The crying can go on for some hours. There may be little you can do except try to comfort your baby and wait for the crying to pass.
Get tips for coping with colic
Crying and illness

If your baby's crying constantly and you cannot console or distract them, or the cry does not sound like their normal cry, it can be a sign they're ill.

Or they may be ill if they're crying and have other symptoms, such as a high temperature. If this is the case, contact your health visitor, GP or call NHS 111.

Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if your baby:

has a fit (seizure or convulsion)

has blue, mottled, ashen (grey) or very pale skin

is unresponsive, floppy or not waking up as easily as usual

breathes rapidly or makes a throaty noise while breathing, or seems to be working hard to breathe, perhaps sucking in their stomach under their ribcage

is being violently sick a lot (projectile vomiting)

has a high temperature, but their hands and feet feel cold

has a spotty purple-red rash anywhere on the body - this could be a sign of meningitis

Find out the signs of serious illness in your baby
Trust your instincts. You know what's different or worrying behaviour in your baby.

Getting help with a crying baby

You can talk to a friend, your health visitor or GP, or contact the Cry-sis helpline free on 0800 448 0737. It is open 9am to 10pm, 7 days a week.

Cry-sis can put you in touch with other parents who have been in the same situation.

You can also visit the Cry-sis website for information on coping with crying babies.

If you decide to talk to your health visitor or GP, it can help to keep a record of how often and when your baby cries.

For example, this might be after every feed or during the evening. This can help your health visitor or GP to work out if there's a particular cause for the crying.

Keeping a record can also help you identify the times when you need extra support. You could think about possible changes to your routine.

There may be times when you're so tired and angry you feel like you cannot take any more. This happens to a lot of parents, so do not be ashamed to ask for help.

If you do not have anyone who can take care of your baby for a short time and the crying is making you stressed, put your baby in their cot or pram, make sure they're safe, close the door, go into another room and try to calm yourself down.

Set a time limit - for example, 10 minutes - then go back.

Never shake your baby

No matter how frustrated you feel, you must never shake your baby. Shaking moves their head violently and can cause brain damage.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A crying baby can be exhausting and it can be hard to know what they need, especially in the early days. Use these tips to help soothe them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Support for you and your premature baby at home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Taking your premature baby home can be exciting but may also a little daunting. The community healthcare team will help you all settle in.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Perinatal mental health issues can happen in pregnancy and in the first years of being a parent (antenatal and postnatal). Problems can affect new mums as well as dads, people with no history of mental health problems as well as those who have. The word perinatal simply means the time around (peri) childbirth (natal). 

Perinatal Positivity uses the real voices and experiences of women and men who have had mental wellbeing difficulties around the time of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. We hope it will help you emotionally prepare and find support, if needed, at this time.

ForMed films would like to especially thank the women and men who agreed to be interviewed, to tell their stories and share their experiences to help others. These eight hours of interviews have formed the six minute film.

The film and a number of translations and versions are available to download or embed for free from www.perinatalpositivity.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Support for fathers suffering with postnatal depression.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Postnatal depression (PND) is thought to affect as many as one in 10 men. Find out why, what the symptoms are and where to go for help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.
It's a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners.

It's important to get help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as your symptoms could last for months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby and your family.

With the right support most people make a full recovery.

Depression during pregnancy

Depression in pregnancy (antenatal depression) is also common, affecting more than 1 in 10 women.

Other mental health symptoms that can occur during or after your pregnancy include anxiety, panic attacks and psychosis.
Read more about mental health in pregnancy

Symptoms of postnatal depression

Many women feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth.

This is often called the " baby blues" and is so common that it's considered normal.

The "baby blues" do not last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth.

If your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth.

Signs that you or someone you know might be depressed include:

a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood

lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world

lack of energy and feeling tired all the time

trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day

finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby

withdrawing from contact with other people

problems concentrating and making decisions

frightening thoughts - for example, about hurting your baby

Many women do not realise they have postnatal depression because it can develop gradually.

Speak to a GP, midwife or health visitor as soon as possible if:

you think you may be depressed

Many midwives and health visitors have been trained to recognise postnatal depression and have techniques that can help.

Remember that:

a range of help and support is available, including talking therapy

depression is an illness like any other

it's not your fault you're depressed - it can happen to anyone

being depressed does not mean you're a bad parent

it does not mean you're going mad

your baby will not be taken away from you - babies are only taken into care in very exceptional circumstances

Treatments for postnatal depression

Postnatal depression can be lonely, distressing and frightening, but support and effective treatments are available.

These include:

self-help - things you can try yourself include talking to your family and friends about your feelings and what they can do to help, making time for yourself to do things you enjoy, resting whenever you get the chance, getting as much sleep as you can at night, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet

talking therapy - a GP may be able to recommend a self-help course or may refer you for a course of therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

antidepressants - these may be recommended if your depression is more severe or other treatments have not helped; your doctor can prescribe a medicine that's safe to take while breastfeeding

Local and national organisations, such as the Association for Post Natal Illness (APNI) and Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support (PANDAS), can also be useful sources of help and advice.

Causes of postnatal depression

The cause of postnatal depression is not completely clear.

There are a number of things that may make you more likely to have postnatal depression. These include:

a history of mental health problems, particularly depression, earlier in life

a history of mental health problems during pregnancy

having no close family or friends to support you

a difficult relationship with your partner

recent stressful life events, such as a bereavement

physical or psychological trauma, such as domestic violence

Even if you do not have any of these, having a baby is a life-changing event that can sometimes trigger depression.

It often takes time to adapt to becoming a new parent. Looking after a baby can be stressful and exhausting.

Preventing postnatal depression

There are things you can do during pregnancy to help you keep well, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having someone you can talk to and turn to for support.

Going to antenatal classes and making friends with other pregnant women or new parents can also be helpful.

If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, talk to a GP or your mental health team if:

you have a history of depression or mental health problems

someone in your family has had mental health problems after childbirth (for example, your mother or sister)

This is so they can offer you appropriate treatment.

You can also talk to a midwife, who can support you or refer you to specialist mental health services if needed. If you have had a mental health problem while pregnant, your doctor should arrange for you to be seen regularly in the first few weeks after birth.

The mental health team, maternity team and GP will work closely with you during your pregnancy and after you have given birth.

Myths about postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is often misunderstood and there are many myths surrounding it.

These include:

postnatal depression is less severe than other types of depression - in fact, it's as serious as other types of depression

postnatal depression is entirely caused by hormonal changes - it's actually caused by many different factors

postnatal depression will soon pass - unlike the "baby blues", postnatal depression can persist for months if left untreated and in a minority of cases it can become a long-term problem

postnatal depression only affects women - research has actually found that up to 1 in 10 new fathers become depressed after having a baby

These factors are equally true of antenatal depression.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. It's a common problem. Depression in pregnancy (antenatal depression) is also common.

# data[].attributes.body
Improving the health of children and young people in Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
healthier together, wessex, what0-18, nhs, home, worried about my child, parent support tool, pregnancy, child, children, young people, professional, parent, carer

# data[].attributes.headline
A personal perspective of becoming a parent

# data[].attributes.subject
A personal perspective of becoming a parent

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
NHS South East Clinical Delivery and Networks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Being the parent of a premature baby; interview for the #ReadyforParenthood campaign

# data[].attributes.body
Being a new dad can be a difficult thing to come to terms with. However, being the parent of a child in neonatal care potentially brings even more complex emotions and problems, as well as a wealth of complex information to digest.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Neonatal

Introducing the DadPad Neonatal...

Being a new dad can be a difficult thing to come to terms with. However, being the parent of a child in neonatal care potentially brings even more complex emotions and problems, as well as a wealth of complex information to digest.

The idea for the DadPad Neonatal was conceived by consultant neonatologist Professor Minesh Khashu. He recognised that there was a need for better communication and support for fathers of babies on neonatal units. The product complements the existing DadPad for new dads and is thought to be the first resource of its kind.

Professor Khashu said:

"DadPad is such a good idea for new dads, bringing together a range of information in a handy and convenient pack.

"I was excited about the potential opportunities for neonatal units and keen to develop a specialised version for this purpose."

How will DadPad Neonatal help?

The pack of laminated cards contains practical information and advice on relevant matters. These include: how dads can best help themselves and their partners as they each deal with their feelings and emotions; where to go to seek further help, support and information; and practical guidance on holding, handling, bonding with and caring for their premature baby.

It is hoped that the DadPad Neonatal will significantly improve a dad's understanding of their baby's care and treatment. It will also help in conversations with healthcare professionals on a range of topics.

The resource should become a valuable tool for fathers during this sensitive time, as well as growing into a 'keepsake' book for the father, child and family, with spaces in which to record information and emotions.

The DadPad Neonatal was written by the DadPad team, in partnership with Professor Khashu. Funding from National Lottery's Awards4All allowed the concept to be developed, with the DadPad Neonatal initially launched in two units in 2018: Poole Hospital, in Dorset, and Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, in Cornwall.

Professor Khashu hopes that other neonatal units around the country will adopt the DadPad Neonatal and benefit from the support that it offers.

"Having a sick or preterm baby is a very stressful time for parents. It can get even more stressful for dads who may have to go back to work quite quickly and may not be able to spend as much time on the neonatal unit as they would wish to.

"I think the new pack will be a huge asset for all parents and staff, and especially for dads."

Find out more...

To find out more about the DadPad Neonatal, or if you are a healthcare professional looking for more support in your neonatal unit, please send a message to Julian or call him on 07403 274757.
...BREAKING NEWS... September 2019
We are delighted to report that the DadPad Neonatal was Highly Commended in the Innovation category in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards. Read all about the Award over on our News page...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DadPad | DadPad Neonatal | Neonatal Guide for New Dads

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Being a new dad can be a difficult thing to come to terms with. However, being the parent of a child in neonatal care potentially brings even more complex emotions and problems, as well as a wealth of complex information to digest. The idea for the DadPad Neonatal was conceived by consultant neonatologist Professor Minesh Khashu.

# data[].attributes.body
Bliss is a national website with information and support for parents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
For babies born premature or sick | Bliss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our vision is that every baby born premature or sick in the UK has the best chance of survival and quality of life.

# data[].attributes.headline
You are the most important person in your baby's care

# data[].attributes.subject
You are the most important person in your baby's care

# data[].attributes.body
Ways to be involved in your baby's care.

# data[].attributes.body
Resources that provide information about the neonatal unit, daily routines, staff as well as much more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Information for your first few days in the neonatal unit. Read about what to expect, finding your feet, and how to get more support.

# data[].attributes.body
This short video explains what neonatal units are and abit about neonatal care.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Neonatal Animation: A guide for parents on what to expect when on a neonatal unit

# data[].attributes.body
Following safer sleep advice can significantly reduce the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (sometimes called SIDS or cot death) occurring. Follow this advice until your child is 12 months old (adjusted for premature babies).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
One gift, twice the impact

From now until midday on Tuesday 5th December, donations to The Lullaby Trust made via the Big Give will be DOUBLED at no extra cost to you. Please donate today if you can. One gift will make twice the difference to babies living in crisis situations.

We use cookies to give you the best possible online experience. If you continue, we will assume you are happy for your web browser to receive all cookies from our website. Accept

How to reduce the risk of SIDS

Our safer sleep advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time.

Our advice is based on strong scientific evidence and should be followed for all sleep periods, not just at night.

If you have any questions about SIDS or safer sleep, please call our information line on 0808 802 6869 (lines open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm).

Watch our free presentations on how to sleep your baby safely and reduce the risk of SIDS

Things you can do

Always place your baby on their back to sleep

Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth

Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months

Breastfeed your baby

Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

Things to avoid

Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby

Don't sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight

Avoid letting your baby get too hot

Don't cover your baby's face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for your baby by following our safer sleep advice. The advice is based on strong scientific evidence.

# data[].attributes.headline
Nappy changing for premature or sick babies

# data[].attributes.subject
Nappy changing for premature or sick babies

# data[].attributes.body
Changing your babies nappy may need to be paced depending on your babies response to handling, ensuring that you do not raise their legs or feet and watching for cues from them on how they are coping with you changing them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tips for changing your baby’s nappy | Bliss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Changing your premature or sick baby’s nappy is a great way to be involved in their care on the neonatal unit.

# data[].attributes.body
Building relationships

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Relationship building resources - Baby Friendly Initiative

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These resources cover a range of issues around supporting close and loving relationships between parents and babies.

# data[].attributes.body
SERV Wessex are a 100% volunteer service run solely on charitable donations. They are a charity that support our milk bank by collecting milk from donors and bring it to us to be pasteurised. They also collect and deliver pasteurised milk to other hospitals and deliver bottles to our donating families. If you would like to learn more about this fantastic charity, please look at their website:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Southampton Milk Bank supports neonatal units across the south of England, and thanks to funding from Southampton Hospitals Charity, they now have specially designed freezer bags to transport the milk.
Tania Gane, Southampton Donor Milk Bank, says: "Earlier this year, University Hospital Southampton (UHS) issued a plea for milk donations as our reserves were running low.

The Southampton Milk Bank at UHS sends milk out to neonatal units throughout the south, and as far as the Channel Islands.

Donor milk is primarily used when mothers of premature babies struggle to establish their own milk supply, or if they are unable to breast feed due to physical illness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Milk Bank freezer bags for neonatal deliveries - Southampton Hospitals Charity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Southampton Milk Bank supports neonatal units across the south of England, and thanks to funding from Southampton Hospitals Charity, they now have specially designed freezer bags to transport the milk.

# data[].attributes.body
If you are wanting to combination feed (both breast and bottle) it is highly recommended baby has established breastfeeding before a bottle is introduced.

If your baby has not fully established breastfeeding and you introduce a bottle, you may find that they will struggle latching at the breast.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It can take several weeks for you and your baby to feel happy and confident with breastfeeding.
Once you've both got the hang of it, it's usually possible to offer your baby bottles of expressed milk or formula alongside breastfeeding.

This is sometimes called mixed or combination feeding.

Why combine breast and bottle?

You may want to combine breastfeeding with bottle feeding if you:

are breastfeeding and want to use a bottle to offer your baby some expressed breast milk

want to breastfeed for some of your baby's feeds, but give bottles of formula for 1 or more feeds

are bottle feeding your baby and want to start breastfeeding

need to leave your baby and want to make sure they have some milk while you're away

Introducing formula feeds can affect the amount of breast milk you produce. There is also a small amount of evidence to show babies may not breastfeed as well because they learn to use a different kind of sucking action at the bottle than at the breast.

Introducing formula feeds

If you're combining breastfeeding with formula feeds both you and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding.

If you choose to introduce infant formula:

it's best to do it gradually to give your body time to reduce the amount of milk it makes - this helps lower your chance of getting uncomfortable, swollen breasts, or mastitis

if you're going back to work, start a few weeks beforehand to give both of you time to readjust

if your baby is 6 months old or more and can drink milk from a cup, you may not need to introduce a bottle at all

For more information, see drinks and cups for babies.

Giving your baby their first bottle

It may take a while for a breastfed baby to get the hang of bottle feeding.

it usually helps to give the first few bottles when your baby is happy and relaxed - not when they're very hungry

it may help if someone else gives the first bottle feeds, so that your baby is not near you and smelling your breast milk

you might want to try using a different position for bottle and breastfeeding

See more advice on how to bottle feed.

Breastfeeding more and giving fewer bottles

If you want to start breastfeeding more and give your baby fewer bottles, it's a good idea to ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter for support.

These tips may help too:

Hold and cuddle your baby as much as possible, ideally skin to skin. This will encourage your body to make milk and your baby to feed.

Express your breast milk regularly. Expressing releases the hormone prolactin, which stimulates your breasts to make milk. About 8 times a day, including once at night is ideal. It may be easier to express by hand to begin with - your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter can show you how.

Try bottlefeeding while holding your baby skin to skin and close to your breasts.

If your baby is latching on, feed often. Do not worry if your baby does not feed for long to begin with. See tips on how to get your baby properly positioned and attached.

Choose times when your baby is relaxed, alert and not too hungry, and do not force your baby to stay at the breast.

Decrease the number of bottles gradually, as your milk supply increases.

Consider using a lactation aid (supplementer). A tiny tube is taped next to your nipple and passes into your baby's mouth so your baby can get milk via the tube as well as from your breast. This helps to support your baby as they get used to attaching to the breast. Your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter can give you more information.

See more tips on boosting your milk supply.

Help and support with mixed feeding

If you have any questions or concerns about combining breast and bottle feeding:

talk to your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter

call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (9.30am to 9.30pm, every day)

find breastfeeding support near you

Video: why combine breast and bottle feeding?

In this video, 3 mothers discuss ways to combine breast and bottle feeding.

Community content from HealthUnlocked

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to combine breast and bottle feeding

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find tips on combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding (mixed feeding), including how to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby.