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Overview
A world-class NICU at American Family Children's Hospital
You and your baby will receive the highest level of care available in Wisconsin in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), just in case your baby is born with a complex medical problem or requires surgery.
Information for Physicians
If you need transport arranged for a baby from your hospital to the Level IV or Level III NICU in Madison, or need to consult with a UW Health neonatologist or maternal-fetal medicine specialist, call the Access Center at (608) 263-3260 or (800) 472-0111 anytime day or night.
A promise of expert care
Mothers and babies admitted to the 26-bed NICU at American Family Children’s Hospital come from near and far. Whether you live hours away or in the Madison Area, you and your baby will receive the most attentive expert care in the region from our experts in neonatology, pediatric surgery and every pediatric specialty. In many cases, our pediatric/neonatal critical care transport team (ground and air) brings babies to the NICU because every minute is precious.
What a Level IV NICU means for my baby and me
The Level IV designation means our NICU has the most advanced team of experts and equipment available to provide the best chance for healing and maximum comfort for the sickest babies and their families during a stressful time. American Family Children’s Hospital is home to one of just two Level IV NICUs in Wisconsin. We also partner closely with UnityPoint Health – Meriter’s Level III NICU, located just a few miles down the road in Madison.
Take a virtual tour of our NICU
Helpful advice from other parents
These parents who spent time in the NICU share their stories and tips:
Facility highlights
Special features of the NICU
Each family’s room is totally private and includes a reclining rocker, private parental bath and shower, a couch that converts into a bed, plus access to a family kitchen and laundry facilities.
Other NICU amenities include:
Virtual visiting
Whereby mothers who still are in their birthing hospital can see their baby on a screen.
Milk lab
A “milk lab” where dedicated milk technicians mix, store and maintain milk for each baby to ensure optimal growth. Milk sources include mother’s breast milk, donated breast milk and formula.
Healing environment
A healing environment featuring special design features to minimize sounds, as well as flexible lighting options and soothing colors to promote healing and protect your baby’s developing brain.
Conditions, treatments and services
The conditions and treatment methods in the NICU
What types of babies do we care for?
Our Level IV NICU team cares for babies who:
Require surgery, including abdominal, genitourinary, head and neck, thoracic, heart and vascular or musculoskeletal
Have suffered a brain injury or stroke
Have seizures or other neurologic disorders
Require diagnostic imaging, such as an MRI
Were born prematurely
Have congenital heart disease
Require cardiac catheterization
Have metabolic or genetic disorders
Treatments and services
Our Level IV NICU provides the highest level of care for babies, including these treatments and services:
Neonatal neuro critical care program
High-frequency and NAVA ventilation
Access to maternal-fetal specialist doctors 24/7
Neonatal surgery
Nitric Oxide
Surfactant replacement therapy
Whole body cooling to treat hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
Nasogastric bridle tube insertion for going-home feeds
Parking information
Hours of operation