Your Baby's Caregivers

Many different people are involved in the care of premature or sick babies.

Family
We want you to take part in the care of your baby whenever possible. When you come to Brandon, the nurses will help you to get comfortable touching and handling your baby. Your baby already recognizes your voice from while he/she in the womb. Your touch will also help you be known by your baby as the one which always offers comfort. Mot babies will be soothed by a gentle touch and a soft voice. Some are so tiny or so sick that stroking may be too much stimulation. Your nurse will help you learn to know your baby's cues and tolerance to activities.

As his/her condition improves you will be able to change the diaper, help with the bath, hold and rock your baby and give the feeding. Talk to your nurse about what kinds of care will be good for your baby at the various points in time. At first, it may seem as if there is little you can do but ... a finger to hold and the sound of your voice can do much to comfort your baby.

Chaplains
A professional from Pastoral Care or from the community.

Clinical Nurse Specialist
An advanced practice nurse who serves as an expert clinical resource for nurses, other health care providers, and families through consultation, education, research and leadership in neonatal care.

Development Coordinator
A nurse who functions as a staff liaison and clinical expert in the developmental care needs of the neonatal patient.

Discharge Coordinator
A nurse who provides clinical expertise in coordinating with the patient care teams, the education and services needed for parents to ensure timely and complete discharge for all newborns from Brandon NICU.

ECMO Specialists
Highly skilled nurses and respiratory therapists who are trained in operation of the ECMO circuit and provide complete, patient centered care during a critical time in their hospital stay.

ICU Tech
A person who is supervised by, and specially trained to assist the nursing staff.

Lactation Consultants
A Certified Lactation Consultant is a specialist trained to focus on the needs and concerns of the breast-feeding mother-baby pair and to prevent, recognize, and solve breast-feeding difficulties. Click Here

NICU Nurse
A nurse specially educated in the care of premature or sick newborn babies.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
A nurse who has completed an advanced educational program in the care of premature or sick newborn babies.

Neonatologist
A doctor (pediatrician) who specializes in the treatment of sick newborn babies. The neonatologists are in charge of the babies' medical care. Each baby is also cared for by a team of doctors, consisting of fellows, residents and interns.

Nephrologist
A doctor who specializes in treatment of sick newborns with kidney problems.

Neurologist & Neurosurgeon
A doctor who specialized in the treatment of sick newborns with illnesses of the brain.

Parent Host
The Parent Host's role is to provide support to families of babies that are receiving care in the Brandon NICU, to prepare and assist families with the hospital experience through peer support, personal comfort, learning tools, and navigating the hospital environment.

Parent Coordinator
The Parent Coordinator is a graduate parent with experience having a baby in the unit whose role is to support NICU families and graduates.

Pediatric Cardiologist
A doctor who specialized in the treatment of newborns with heart conditions.

Pediatric Surgeon
A subspecialty of surgery involving the surgery of fetuses, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatric surgeons have completed residency and then two more years of specialty fellowship training in pediatric surgery.

Physical Therapists
A team specially trained and experienced in a wide range of techniques to improve baby's muscle tone and movements.

Respiratory Therapist
A person specially educated and trained to help support the breathing of premature or sick newborn babies.

Social Worker
A professional who has received special training to help families deal with stressful situations. They listen to concerns and feelings, answer questions and assist families find resources to help meet their needs.

Speech Pathologists
A specially trained and experienced team providing treatment of feeding problems such as suck and swallow coordination or with birth defects such as cleft lip or palate.

Unit Host
This staff position was especially created to assist families in their personal needs while in Brandon. This person can assist you with car set training before discharge.

Urologists
A doctor who specializes in treatment of sick newborns with urinary tract problems.

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