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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Best Care for Babies

For six years in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked our Neonatology program #1 in the country.

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If you have a sick or premature infant, you want and need the best possible care. You'll find that care at Children's National Hospital — U.S. News & World Report has ranked our neonatology program number 1 in the country for six years in a row.

At Children’s National, our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a Level IV NICU. As a Level IV NICU, we offer the highest level of care for premature and ill newborns, as designated by The American Academy of Pediatrics. This means we can:

Offer the full range of pediatric medical subspecialists, pediatric surgical subspecialists and pediatric anesthesiologists on site. Learn more about our team.
Perform complex surgical procedures to repair complex congenital or acquired conditions
Arrange for babies to come to the NICU and provide education for parents and families

Understanding NICU Levels

All neonatal intensive care units care for babies who need special help, but different NICUs offer different levels of care.

Level 1: Basic Care: Level I NICUs provide care for healthy, full-term babies. They also stabilize near-term babies to get them ready to be moved to specialized facilities.
Level 2: Advanced Care: Level II NICUs offer care for babies born at or after 32 weeks and babies who are recovering from more serious health problems.
Level 3: Specialized Care: Level III NICUs care for very sick babies and offer access to a wide range of pediatric specialists and equipment, such as X-rays and ventilation support. The babies in these nurseries are generally born earlier than 32 weeks or have critical illnesses.
Level 4: Highest Level of Care: Level IV NICUs provide the highest level of neonatal care. They have a full range of healthcare providers, including pediatric subspecialists, specialized nurses and equipment to care for very sick babies.

What to Expect in Our NICU

Your baby will receive the focus and attention of a team of the best specialists. Because we only treat children and infants, our care team includes leading physicians in every major pediatric surgical and medical subspecialty — like neurology and others — right here on our main campus. That way if your baby needs a specialized type of care, our team can consult immediately, 24/7, with an expert colleague they know and trust.
The nurses who provide around-the-clock care for your baby are also specially trained in infant intensive care. Our NICU nurses maintain multiple certifications, including many certified lactation specialists, are nationally recognized, and have received Magnet™ designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
You can be with your baby anytime. We designed our NICU with input from parents and families like you, who have had a child in NICU care. From the comfortable, soundproof flooring and indirect lighting, to the large private patient rooms with comfortable rockers, our NICU is a soothing and secure environment for you and your child.
We know that your family is a core part of your baby’s recovery and healing. That is why we offer unique programs and services, like:
- Daily participation in rounds with the team of doctors and nurses caring for your baby
- Private rooms with comfortable rockers where we teach you to care for your child safely and comfortably, when you are both ready
- Child development specialists who will evaluate and design therapies to help your baby, when ready
- Social workers, chaplains and Child Life Specialists who can help different members of your family, including your infant’s siblings
Your baby is our focus, but the emotional and physical health of your entire family is our goal. Learn more about our Specialized Programs or visit our Resources for Families, where you will find information about what to expect while in the NICU, feeding and bonding resources and a list of supportive services we offer.
Our goal is to get your baby home with you as soon as is safely possible. Bringing home a tiny baby for the first time after a serious illness can be concerning for many parents. That’s why we offer Parent Transition Rooms, a hotel-like room that allows parents to “practice” being at home with their child — with the reassurance of the NICU staff nearby.
Our care doesn’t stop when you leave. Our Child Development Program evaluates NICU graduates to ensure they are developing appropriately.

Learn About Our NICU

See how the teams in the Children's National NICU support families in our care in this tour with Neonatology Division Chief Billie Lou Short, M.D.

See Our NICU Photo Gallery

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is the heart of Children's National Hospital Neonatology program, ranked #1 in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Learn about the NICU facilities and the support we provide for the entire family.

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Omphalocele

When Nick Cornelius passed his pediatrician’s two-year-old well-child check-up with flying colors, his parents were thrilled. Probably even more thrilled than typical first-time toddler parents, because Nick’s life up to that point had been anything but typical. Nick's Story

COVID-19 Update:Learn more about how we are protecting our patients, families and staff, as well as other important facts about COVID-19.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

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Best Care for Babies

Understanding NICU Levels

What to Expect in Our NICU

Who will be caring for my child in the NICU?

What should I know about the NICU nursing staff?

What should I expect from the NICU patient rooms?

What programs and resources are available for my child and family?

How can I transition from the NICU to my home with my child?

Learn About Our NICU

See Our NICU Photo Gallery

Nick's Story

Omphalocele