Newborn Intensive Care Unit

Newborn Intensive Care Unit

As a recognized premier regional center for excellence in high-risk newborn care, our 42-bed NICU is here to care for your premature or sick baby.

UnityPoint Health - Meriter and American Family Children's Hospital work together with you to ensure fragile newborns and women with high-risk pregnancies in our region have access to a full team of specialists, the most advanced facilities and the best possible care to meet their individual needs. Board certified neonatologists and perinatologists work in partnership to provide medical care for a combined total of more than 800 infants annually at both hospitals.

While most babies are born at Meriter, others arrive via helicopter or a specially equipped ambulance from hospitals throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest that do not have advanced newborn services available.

Many of the babies we care for are premature, other infants are full-term and have complications such as infections, surgical needs or birth defects. Some of the babies in the NICU are critically ill. Others need specialized care and observation while they grow and develop.

The NICU is a critical component of the Center for Perinatal Care, a joint program of UnityPoint Health - Meriter and UW Health that combines the best in medical care, technology and clinical research with all the benefits of care in a community hospital.

Your Baby's Care Team

Your care team will keep you informed about your baby's condition and answer any questions you have. We encourage you to ask questions at any time, and voice any concerns you have. You are also welcome in the NICU at any time, day or night.

A team of neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, fellows and residents, respiratory therapists, nurses, therapies, social workers, lactation consultants and many others will collaborate and partner with you in the care of you and your baby.

NICU Amenities

Each family’s room is private and includes a reclining rocker, a couch that converts into a bed, plus access to a family room with kitchen and showers. Other amenities include cameras where families can view their baby when they are unable to be here, a state-of-the-art milk lab, and a healing environment featuring special designs to minimize noise and dim lighting to nourish your baby’s developing brain.

Parent Support

SPIN Group

Parents of NICU babies are welcome to join the SPIN Group meeting. SPIN stands for Supporting Parents in the NICU Group.

Ask your nurse or medical team for more information!

Supported by: UnityPoint Health - Meriter Foundation