The NICU supports the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics to provide breast milk for the first year of life. Since most babies admitted to the NICU are unable to nurse, we provide mothers with support as they establish their milk supply for their infant by offering:
The NICU is staffed with lactation educators / support personnel who assist mothers with breastfeeding. Lactation resources are available 24 hours a day.
The neonatal nutrition staff includes registered dietitians and registered dietetic technicians. The dietitians are licensed by the Ohio Board of Dietetics and registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration by the American Dietetic Association. Many dietitians have additional training or certifications.
The neonatal nutritionists serve as the nutrition consultants on the clinical team in the NICU. They advise the team on nutrition management for intravenous (IV), nutrition (parenteral) and oral (enteral) nutrition.
Premature or other high-risk newborns have unique nutrition needs, and the neonatal nutritionists’ role is to work with the team to ensure those needs are met. They monitor the baby’s clinical status including lab values and growth parameters to help determine if the nutrition therapy is tolerated. Prior to discharge, the nutritionists ensure each baby is on a nutritional regimen that will meet the infant’s needs at home.
Healthcare providers who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy, occupational therapists are registered with the national organization and are licensed within the state of Ohio. Occupational therapists working in the NICU have extensive training and experience working with this specialized population.
They provide oral motor / feeding and developmental evaluation / treatment of the premature and medically fragile infant.
Occupational therapists facilitate the transition from hospital to home by providing parent education about feeding and development.
Pharmacy staff consists of a neonatal clinical pharmacist (permanently assigned to the NICU) and decentralized staff pharmacists (individuals rotating through this position).
If requested, the pharmacy staff is available to provide drug information or medication teaching to patient families.
Speech pathologists (who have a master’s degree in speech pathology) in the NICU maintain the profession’s national accreditation and Ohio license with specialized training related to development, feeding and swallowing with premature and medically involved infants.
Services provided to infants and their families include: