Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

Baby's Sleeping Habits

In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the continuous lighting, beeping from monitors and talking makes it difficult for your baby to learn the difference between day and night. This may lead to erratic sleeping patterns.

When you get home, try to establish structure and routine so that your baby's day has some predictability. For example, develop a routine in which you give your baby a bath at the same time every day.

For the first week, you may need to keep the light on at night in your baby's room. Gradually turn the lights off after the last night feed so your baby learns night from day and to make night a quiet time in your house.

Remember, unless advised by your doctor, your baby must be placed on their back when asleep. Other ways to enhance the safety of your baby's sleep environment are to:

• Place the baby in his or her own crib on a firm mattress with tight-fitting sheets
• Have no soft, fluffy bedding in the crib
• Have no bumpers in the crib
• Do not overdress your baby

Baby's Development

Parents of premature infants may worry if their baby will develop normally. While the doctors and nurses are unable to tell you exactly how your baby will develop, they can teach you ways to help your baby grow and learn new skills. Your baby's first year is a time of great change. A child's development is a complex, ongoing process, and no two children mature at the same rate or in the same way.

Child Passenger Safety

More than 85 percent of car seats are incorrectly installed; yours may be one of them. Have your child safety seat inspected by a certified child passenger safety technician. To find an inspection location or a certified child passenger safety technician near you, call 954-844-7110. You may also visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Association's website or call 888-327-4236.

Early Intervention/Developmental Clinic

If your baby meets certain criteria, you will be given information regarding the Developmental Clinic at Memorial Regional Hospital. Your baby may benefit from a developmental assessment after leaving our NICU. When your baby is admitted to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital NICU, you will be asked to fill out a short form. This form will be sent to the Early Intervention/Developmental Clinic at Memorial Regional Hospital and they will contact you after your baby is discharged.