Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

A world-class NICU within the American Family Children's Hospital in case your baby needs the highest level of care.
  • 1675 Highland Ave. / Madison, WI 53792
  • (608) 890-9600
    • Monday-Friday8am-5pm
    • Monday8:00am-5:00pm
    • Tuesday8:00am-5:00pm
    • Wednesday8:00am-5:00pm
    • Thursday8:00am-5:00pm
    • Friday8:00am-5:00pm
    • SaturdayClosed
    • SundayClosed
    • Open 24/7
    • Monday24 Hours
    • Tuesday24 Hours
    • Wednesday24 Hours
    • Thursday24 Hours
    • Friday24 Hours
    • Saturday24 Hours
    • Sunday24 Hours

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. 



Refer a Patient

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:

Patient storiesMason's Mom: Kally shares their story

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:

Whereby mothers who still are in their birthing hospital can see their baby on a screen.

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.

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

  • Monday-Friday8am-5pm
  • Monday8:00am-5:00pm
  • Tuesday8:00am-5:00pm
  • Wednesday8:00am-5:00pm
  • Thursday8:00am-5:00pm
  • Friday8:00am-5:00pm
  • SaturdayClosed
  • SundayClosed
  • Open 24/7
  • Monday24 Hours
  • Tuesday24 Hours
  • Wednesday24 Hours
  • Thursday24 Hours
  • Friday24 Hours
  • Saturday24 Hours
  • Sunday24 Hours

Providers