NICU Programs and Services

The UMass Memorial NICU provides programs and services focusing on the wellness your family and baby.

Screening Programs

• Hearing evaluations
• Eye evaluations for retinopathy of prematurity, a possible side effect of premature birth
• Metabolic disorders
• Car seat testing

Center for Healthy Infant Lung Development (CHILD) Clinic – The team from the CHILD Clinic includes dedicated caregivers from many different specialties who will work together with your family to help your child develop healthier lungs.

Child Development Program – We assess your infant's behavioral and developmental needs. This helps you to become well informed and comfortable in caring for your baby, and links you to community services that may be helpful when discharged. High-risk infants are followed in the NICU Follow-up Clinic on the University Campus.

Case Managers and Social Workers
Your family will be assigned a case manager who will work with you, the NICU team and insurance companies to enhance care. The case manager can answer questions about insurance, ease the transition from hospital to home, help plan services for the baby’s care at home, and coordinate a discharge plan with the insurance company.

A social worker will meet with you soon after admission. While the social worker's role varies based on your needs, she is your advocate and will help you cope with the stress of having a critically ill child.

Cuddler Program – We provide trained volunteers who can give your baby extra attention between visits. Cuddlers, who are always supervised by a nurse, will gently talk to, rock and/or hold your baby free of charge.

Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - Classes are offered at no charge for parents who are urged to take a class before bringing their baby home.

Pastoral Care – Staff includes representatives of various faiths who can provide you with spiritual comfort. Your own pastor or religious professional are always welcome.

Family Resource Center – Our librarian can help you find information on neonatal intensive care, premature birth and specific conditions. The center also offers videos for siblings to watch. Our library is staffed Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 4 pm.

Family Lounge – You can enjoy this comfortable area to visit, read, watch television, make private telephone calls, play or eat. It includes a small kitchen area and complimentary coffee. Lockers are available.

Family Suites – These are available for overnight stays. Suites are particularly comfortable when you are learning to care for the baby prior to discharge, when an infant is in critical or unstable condition, or for bereavement.

Breast-feeding Rooms – Use these private spaces during feeding or pumping milk before your infant can breast-feed. Nurses and lactation consultants will encourage you to collect and store breast milk until the baby can be fed by breast. Breast milk freezers are available for storage.

Perinatal Bereavement Program – A nationally recognized support program for grieving families. Physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains will support you during this difficult time and provides a bereavement package including a memory book, information on grief and loss, and special mementos such as footprints, a lock of hair and a name bracelet.

Memorial Service – The annual event provides a vehicle for families and staff to process their grief. Readings, music prayer make the personalized program helps bring closure. Mementos such as candles tied with a ribbon with the baby's name on it, scroll cards with the baby's name displayed for the service, and a memorial service program with copies of readings and lyrics to music are presented. A reception follows.