The NICU staff

Here are the different people who work in the NICU and whom you are likely to meet during your baby’s stay. They may be men or women.

• Neonatologist
  A neonatologist is a doctor who specializes in newborns and will work with you to make medical decisions for your baby. There is always a neonatologist in the NICU.
• Nurse
  A nurse will always be assigned to your baby. Your baby’s nurse will change 2-3 times every 24 hours. Your baby’s nurse may also be taking care of 1-2 other babies at the same time. The nurse monitors your baby, gives medications, helps to feed your baby, and helps to perform tests. The nurse will teach you how to participate in your baby’s NICU care.
• Neonatal nurse practitioner
  A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is a nurse with specialized training in newborns and works with the neonatologist to provide medical care.
• Respiratory therapist
  A respiratory therapist helps to manage any breathing problem your baby may have.
• Nutritionist
  A nutritionist helps to manage your baby’s growth. A nutritionist will make sure that you baby gets the right nutrients either through an IV (intravenous line) or through milk.
• Pharmacist
  A pharmacist helps to manage and prepare the medication for your baby. A pharmacist may also look at the mother’s medications to know if there is an impact on your baby.
• Lactation consultant
  A lactation consultant helps families with breastfeeding. If your baby is not ready to feed at the breast, the lactation consultant can support you to pump your milk.
• Liaison nurse
  A liaison nurse follows your baby’s progress and helps you and the team prepare and plan for discharge home or transfer to another unit or hospital.
• Social worker
  A social worker helps families cope with the stress of having a baby in the NICU. A social worker can also help you learn about financial support.
• Occupational therapist
  An occupational therapist and physical therapist assess and promote your baby’s motor skills. They may provide special exercises for your baby’s development. An occupational therapist can also make sure that your baby can breastfeed or bottle-feed safely.
• Music therapist
  A music therapist uses music to support your baby’s brain development and response to stress.
• Unit coordinator
  The unit coordinator helps to organize all of the activities in the NICU. The unit coordinator will greet you when you arrive in the NICU.
• Trainees
  The Montreal Children’s Hospital is affiliated with McGill University. Trainees in the NICU are both learners and caretakers of your baby. Trainees are always supervised. Examples of trainees:
  • Neonatal fellows are doctors who have completed their pediatric training and are now receiving specialized training in newborns
  • Pediatric residents are doctors who are receiving their pediatric training
  • Medical students are training to become doctors