Neonatology

Feel confident that your family has access to high-quality specialty care for premature and ill babies at Essentia’s Level III NICUs in Duluth, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota. Our NICU care teams can:

• Care for the smallest and sickest babies
• Help your baby breathe with respiratory support
• Provide continuous life support
• Detect an eye condition called premature retinopathy

Depend on your Essentia NICU team to help your baby grow stronger and provide support and education to you and your family. Your team may include:

• Neonatologists – Specialize in caring for sick and premature babies
• Nurse practitioners – Care for babies along with your neonatologist
• Physician assistants – Care for babies along with your neonatologist
• Nurses – Provide 24/7 daily care, education, and emotional support
• Rehabilitation therapists – Assess and help with your baby’s ability to eat, swallow, and move
• Respiratory therapists – Manages the equipment that supports your baby's breathing
• Lactation consultants – Support breastfeeding, including using a breast pump
• Chaplains – Provide spiritual care and comfort
• Social workers or case managers – Help you cope, find resources and services, and plan for your baby’s homecoming
• Dietitians – Support and monitor your baby's nutrition

As a parent, you’re part of your baby’s care team. We'll help you understand what's happening with your baby and provide knowledge to help you make well-informed decisions. We'll also encourage you to:

• Spend as much time with your baby as you can
• Attend care conferences to discuss specific issues about your baby’s care
• Ask questions and share your concerns

Caring For Your Baby

Trust the NICU nurses to show you how to safely care for your baby. We’ll be by your side, available to answer questions, so you can confidently:

• Take your baby’s temperature
• Change diapers
• Breastfeed or bottle-feed
• Give your baby a bath
• Massage your baby
• Hold your baby skin-to-skin

Depending on where you're receiving care and the time of year, visitor policies may change to protect your baby. Staff will review the current visiting policy with you when you're admitted.

If your baby is staying in the NICU, you and your partner will receive security wristbands that allow you to see your baby. Family and friends may visit as long as they are healthy and accompanied by you or your partner at all times. To protect our young patients, you will be asked to wash your hands when entering the unit. Please don't visit if you have signs of cold, flu, or other contagious diseases.

Ask your care team about options that can help you stay close to your baby while he or she is in the NICU. In Fargo, you also take advantage of the Ronald McDonald House of the Red River Valley or discounted hotel rooms. In Duluth, our NICU also has a Ronald McDonald Family Room to do laundry, prepare food, or freshen up.

Learn how NICU follow-up care helps your child grow and develop to his or her full potential.