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Neonatal

We look after vulnerable babies who need a higher level of medical care soon after birth.

If your baby is born too early or is experiencing problems, they may be transferred to the NNU for additional support and if more specialist care is required your baby may need to be transferred to the regional neonatal centre in Oxford.

We may admit your baby to our Neonatal Unit if your baby:

  • is born before 37 weeks gestation (a premature birth)
  • needs help with their breathing
  • weighs less than 1.8kg
  • has jaundice that needs intensive treatment
  • needs additional support that can’t be managed on the postnatal ward

Visiting restrictions during COVID-19

If we need to transfer your baby to the Neonatal Unit, both parents can attend as long as you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. We swab all parents for COVID-19 on a weekly basis whilst their baby remains an inpatient.

Find out more about the lastest visiting restrictions.

Supporting your baby’s care

We encourage you to participate in your baby’s care as much as possible. If you wish to breastfeed but your baby is too poorly, we can provide facilities and support for you to express your breast milk. We’ll securely store your milk until your baby is well enough to feed.

Support for parents and relatives

We have a specialist group that is available to support parents of babies needing care on the Neonatal Unit. The Baby Unit Relatives and Parent Support group (BURPS) is run by parents and relatives who have had a baby on the unit. They understand the situation that parents find themselves in and provide additional support and practical help.

Email Burps.members@gmail.com or find the group’s Facebook page (BURPS Neonatal Department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital).

Contact

Information for parents

Neonatal Services
Neonatal Services

01296 316113