We encourage your family to visit you in the NICU, however we do have some rules before to ensure the safety of your baby and the other babies. Sibling visits are encouraged, but we ask that they do not spend the night at the hospital.  It is important for them to stay healthy and to get plenty of rest in their own home environment.  Please make sure any children visiting the unit have filled out a health form verifying they are free of infectious illnesses.
Bracelets are used to identify parents and grandparents of babies in the NICU. Close family friends and family members are welcome in the NICU, but must be accompanied by a parent.
Patients in the NICU are very susceptible to illness and we want to keep the NICU as sterile an environment as possible.  We ask parents not to bring children or family members into the unit that have had a fever or other illness.

Hand washing
A two-minute hand wash is recommended by perinatal guidelines.  The Le Bonheur NICU requires all parents, family members and visitors, as well as all physicians and staff to follow the two-minute hand wash guidelines. Additionally, alcohol foam and sinks are located in each patient room.  Handwashing during contact is required.