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The St.Vincent NICU provides an environment that supports and nurtures the baby's and family's strengths and competencies. Providing this type of care has helped to decrease lengths of hospital stays, decrease complications and required interventions, and improve long-term developmental abilities for infants.
During the time a baby is in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), parents may feel overwhelmed and anxious. In the NICU, we encourage and assist families to be involved in caring for their babies in any way they are comfortable.
Using principles of developmentally supportive care, each baby's response to the environment can be assessed. By interpreting these subtle responses, parents and caregivers can identify "stress and stability cues." Stress cues are ways your baby tells you that they've "had enough." Stability cues are ways your baby tells you he is relaxed and able to handle his surroundings.
As a parent, you are an important member of your baby's health care team. Knowing your baby's behavior and help you care for him/her in a way that is best for your baby and improves his/her long term development. The principles of Developmentally Supportive Care is taught to each NICU family, to assist them in caring for their baby. | 
