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Neonatal Intensive Care

Women & Babies Hospital is home to Lancaster County’s first and most advanced Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Thanks to an alliance with LG Health, a dedicated team of physicians (neonatologists), neonatal nurse practitioners, and physician assistants from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provide 24/7, on-site care in our 29-bed unit to infants who are premature or in need of extra attention. These providers have been part of our NICU team for many years, and have the experience, advanced training, and equipment to care for newborns as early as 23 gestational weeks.

As part of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s renowned Division of Neonatology—a network with more than a dozen locations—our NICU in Lancaster also has access to the most advanced research and innovative, successful treatments for critically ill newborns.

If your baby requires NICU care, we do all we can to make you and your family as comfortable as possible. We have private breastfeeding areas, family sitting and visiting rooms, an open hours visitation policy, and overnight accommodations for parents so you are never far from your newborn.

Advanced Technology for Our Tiniest Patients

Our NICU team is trained and equipped to care for premature infants born as early as 23 weeks gestation. For these babies, the ability to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing must be learned, since they were born before they could develop this skill in utero (this stage typically occurs at 32–34 weeks gestation.)

Women & Babies Hospital was the first area-hospital and the second in the state to offer the FDA-approved NTrainer device, which assesses an infant’s ability to feed (suck), and provides therapies to build and strengthen this vital skill. The NTrainer helps decrease the amount of time a baby needs a feeding tube, engaging mom and dad with feedings sooner, and often leads to a shorter length of stay in the NICU.

Assuring a Safe and Comfortable Stay

Find information about our visitation, infection control and privacy regulations.

Information for Families

We understand that having a baby in the NICU can be stressful for families, and we are committed to guiding you through this experience with compassion and care. Because your baby’s well-being is our top priority, we ask that you follow the rules of the NICU regarding visitation, infection control and privacy. Your NICU team will explain the rules and answer any of your questions. If you need to reach someone with a question about visitation, please call 717-544-3300 and ask for the nurse manager.

Security, Visitation and Infection Control

For the safety of your baby and the other babies in the NICU, please follow our protocols for visitation and privacy. More information can be found in your patient packet.

  • Security and Privacy—Women & Babies Hospital has a state-of-the-art electronic security system.
  • All visitors must check in at the security desk in the front lobby to get a visitor’s badge. Parents will also have an identification bracelet that matches your baby’s.
  • All visitors at the bedside must be accompanied by a parent and have a hospital badge.
  • Information is given only to parents or legal guardians. Please inform friends and family not to call the hospital or NICU to ask about your baby’s status. When you call the unit, you may be asked for the last four digits of your social security number.
  • Keep your cell phone on vibrate and talk only in the parent rest area. If you take a photo or video of your baby, include only your own baby.
  • Visitation—Visitation is allowed at all hours.
  • Up to three people may visit at the baby’s bedside, one of whom must be a parent of the baby. Multiples may have up to six visitors (one of whom is a parent).
  • Siblings of a baby who are healthy and up to date with their shots (including chicken pox) are welcome to visit. Children must be supervised during visits. Young children should be limited to shorter visits.
  • Visitors must be at least 12 years old (except for siblings of the baby).
  • Infection Control—Newborns in the NICU are very vulnerable, so infection control is vital.
  • Handwashing is critical for the safety of all babies in the NICU. Upon entering the NICU, wash your hands at the sink with soap and water for 30 seconds. There is also waterless soap at the bedsides to use each time before you touch your baby and after diaper changes.
  • Parents or visitors with a cold, fever or diarrhea are not permitted to visit. A parent with a cold may be able to visit but will be required to wear a mask.
  • Cell phones must be placed in a clear plastic bag that is given to you upon arrival.
  • Food and drink are not allowed in patient care areas. You may eat and drink only in the parent rest area. There is a refrigerator in the rest area where you may store labeled food. The hospital cafeteria offers a discount to NICU parents. 

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