Best Mother & Child Care Hospitals in India
In essence, walking into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for the first time is a profound and emotionally overwhelming experience, and the purpose of this guide has been to walk alongside you, demystifying the environment to reduce your fear.
We have taken a virtual tour together, understanding the crucial importance of the strict hygiene protocols at the entrance, preparing you for the sights and sounds of the unit, and explaining the purpose of the advanced technology. We’ve decoded what the monitors are tracking, how the baby incubator creates a perfect healing environment, and introduced the expert team, from the neonatologist to the specialised nurses, who are all dedicated to your baby’s care.
The most critical takeaway, above all else, is that amidst all the machines and medical procedures, you are the most important person in your baby’s world. This guide has highlighted the powerful and irreplaceable role you play, offering actionable ways you can participate in your baby’s recovery.
From the life-giving nourishment of your breast milk to the healing power of your touch through Kangaroo Mother Care, we’ve shown you how to bond with your baby in the NICU. Our philosophy at what we strive to be the best NICU hospital is that we are not just treating an infant; we are caring for a family. You are a vital member of your baby’s care team.
Nothing can truly prepare you for the moment you are told your newborn needs to be in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Your world shrinks, and your heart is filled with a mix of love, fear, and a thousand questions. Walking through those NICU doors for the first time can feel like entering a foreign land. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed.
At Borneo Hospitals, we believe that the first step to easing your anxiety is to replace the unknown with clear, gentle information. Think of this guide as a neonatologist taking your hand and walking you through that first visit.
We want to demystify the environment so you can focus on the most important thing: your precious baby. Our goal is to be the best NICU hospital not just for our technology, but for our compassion.
The very first thing you will do is wash your hands thoroughly. Newborns, especially a premature baby, have very fragile immune systems. The “scrub-in” process is the single most important rule to protect them.
You will be asked to remove jewellery and scrub your hands and arms for 2-3 minutes. This strict hygiene is a sign of a high-quality children’s hospital with a NICU.
Walking in can be a sensory overload. Prepare yourself for this.
You will see very small babies, some nestled in open warmers and others inside a baby incubator. There will be a lot of equipment, wires, and tubes. It can look intimidating, but every single piece of technology is there to support your baby.
The NICU is filled with the constant, soft beeping of monitors. You will also hear occasional alarms. It’s a sound that can make any parent’s heart race, but please know this: most alarms are not emergencies. They often signal something minor, like a baby has moved and dislodged a sensor. The nursing staff are experts at knowing which sounds need immediate attention.
Let’s translate what some of that equipment is doing.
This is your baby’s temporary ghar (home). A premature baby cannot regulate their own body temperature. The incubator is a clear plastic box that provides a perfectly warm, controlled, and safe environment for them to grow and rest.
Small stickers on your baby’s chest and foot are connected to monitors that track their heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen levels. This allows the team to watch over them constantly, even when they’re not at the bedside.
You may see thin tubes providing nutrition directly to your baby’s stomach or an IV line delivering fluids and medication. While it’s hard to see your baby connected to these, they are providing exactly what your baby needs to get stronger. This is a vital part of the care provided in a Level III NICU.
You are not alone. A whole team of specialists is dedicated to your baby.
A neonatologist is a paediatrician with advanced training in the care of sick and premature newborns. They lead the medical team. The NICU nurses are your frontline experts and allies. They are highly skilled in neonatal care and will be your main point of contact.
In this high-tech world, it’s easy to feel helpless. But you are the most powerful medicine your baby has. Here is how you can be deeply involved.
Your baby knows you. Even if you can’t hold them yet, you can gently place a hand on them. Talk to them, sing to them. Your presence is calming and essential for their baby’s development.
If you are able to, providing breast milk is one of the most important contributions you can make. It’s liquid gold, packed with antibodies that protect your baby from infection. The hospital will provide you with a pump and support.
When your baby is stable enough, you will be able to do “Kangaroo Mother Care”—placing your baby directly on your bare chest. This skin-to-skin contact is scientifically proven to regulate a baby’s heart rate, breathing, and temperature, and is a beautiful way to bond with your baby in the NICU.
This is an emotional marathon. It is so important to take care of yourself. Eat proper meals, try to rest when you can, and accept help from family and friends. Keep a journal. Ask questions. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Finding support groups can be very helpful. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
In essence, walking into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for the first time is a profound and emotionally overwhelming experience, and the purpose of this guide has been to walk alongside you, demystifying the environment to reduce your fear.
We have taken a virtual tour together, understanding the crucial importance of the strict hygiene protocols at the entrance, preparing you for the sights and sounds of the unit, and explaining the purpose of the advanced technology. We’ve decoded what the monitors are tracking, how the baby incubator creates a perfect healing environment, and introduced the expert team, from the neonatologist to the specialised nurses, who are all dedicated to your baby’s care.
The most critical takeaway, above all else, is that amidst all the machines and medical procedures, you are the most important person in your baby’s world. This guide has highlighted the powerful and irreplaceable role you play, offering actionable ways you can participate in your baby’s recovery.
From the life-giving nourishment of your breast milk to the healing power of your touch through Kangaroo Mother Care, we’ve shown you how to bond with your baby in the NICU. Our philosophy at what we strive to be the best NICU hospital is that we are not just treating an infant; we are caring for a family. You are a vital member of your baby’s care team.
Navigating a NICU journey is one of the toughest challenges a parent can face. At Borneo Hospitals, our team of expert neonatologists and compassionate nurses are here to provide the highest level of medical care for your baby and unwavering support for you.
You can visit your nearest Borneo Hospital branch in Thane, Nashik, Waluj, or Raipur to see our state-of-the-art NICU facilities.
If you need a consultation or a second opinion, please call our helpline for advice. We invite you to make an appointment to speak with our team, led by our esteemed Senior Paediatrician and Founder, Dr. Santosh Madrewar (MBBS, DCH).
