1. Your baby will be cared for by a team of medical and surgical experts. We will work with you to make decisions and treatment plans for your baby.
  2. A NICU nurse and a respiratory therapist will be with your baby during every moment of travel to Seattle Children’s Hospital. The transport team is in frequent contact with the neonatologist who arranged the transport.
  3. We encourage you to be an active partner in your child's care. We offer a comforting environment for you and your family, including support in healing from childbirth and help in breastfeeding your baby.
  4. Parenting a preemie or a very sick baby is different than parenting a healthy newborn. Talk with your nurse about ways to touch, hold and bond with your baby.
  5. We encourage you to trust your instincts, ask questions and share your concerns. It makes a difference.
  6. At any point, if you have questions or don’t understand something, ask your child’s nurse, doctor or anyone on your healthcare team.
  7. Every morning, your child’s health care team will meet and discuss your child’s care. You are invited to participate in these daily conversations called “rounds.” We hope you will use this time to share your insights, questions and concerns.
  8. We have parent sleeping rooms in the Family Resource Center. Each room has one twin bed. Showers and laundry are here for your use at no charge.
  9. Caregivers in the NICU work to reduce the environmental stresses in the NICU and use nondrug comfort measures. These include “nesting” the baby in the incubator and keeping the noise level down.
  10. You can rely on our staff to teach you about your child’s condition and help you find resources to care for your child after you leave.
  11. Our goal is to get you and your baby home — or back to a hospital close to home — as soon as it is safe.