Cook Children's NICU

Newborn Intensive Care Unit

Even with a perfect pregnancy, the unexpected can occur

Should the unexpected happen, you want to choose the right NICU for your baby. Preemies, critically ill and medically fragile babies need the very best care available. Cook Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides state-of-the-art care like few NICUs in the state of Texas and beyond.

View our New Beginnings video

The choice is yours

No one ever wants to think about their newborn being critically ill. But it's good to be as prepared as possible, so if you do have to make such choices, we'll help you be well-informed. Start by asking your doctor about what type of treatment your baby may need. Then ask which NICU has the best equipment and staff to provide that care. You may want to research and learn about the differences between each one. For example, only Cook Children's NICU offers all-single rooms, specially designed so that babies can receive the highest level of care and parents can comfortably stay with their babies as much as they like. Your OB/GYN or pediatrician may also be good sources of NICU information. Remember, the choice is yours.

Why choose Cook Children's NICU?

Studies show that premature and critically ill infants who are cared for in a single room setting have better long-term outcomes. These tiny patients are shown to grow better, get more oxygen, and go home quicker. Cook Children's all-single room NICU is currently the largest in the nation, and one of the few that can accommodate twins, triplets, and even quads in a single room. So even if you're expecting multiples, your babies won't be separated and you won't have to leave their sides.

All-single room NICU

Cook Children's Medical Center now offers the largest all-single room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the nation. But what makes us even more unique is that our rooms are designed so that twins, triplets and quadruplets can stay together in one room. There is also room for parents to stay as well.

Learn more about our single rooms.

 

Preemie care

Studies show that premature infants who are cared for in a single room setting have better long-term outcomes, because the environment, including lighting and sound, can be individually controlled. Also, parents have better access and more involvement in their preemie's care. Preemies, critically ill and medically fragile babies are shown to grow better, get more oxygen and go home quicker.

Learn more about our preemie care.

Specialty programs

Cook Children's is a level IV NICU, which means we offer the highest level of NICU care in Tarrant County. We're able to provide care for the smallest preemies and medically fragile newborn babies, as well as provide special treatments, surgeries and services, any of which are available at only a handful of level III-C NICUs nationwide. These include ECMO, HeRO, therapeutic hypothermia treatment, and a Mother's Milk Bank .

Learn more about our programs.

Safety and technology

Cook Children's is committed to the health and safety of your baby. We have the only team of nurses dedicated to preventing central line infections successfully for two years and counting. We are raising the bar for safety processes for other hospitals around the globe.

Learn more about our safety and technology.

NICU team

The Cook Children's NICU team is specially trained in the care of preemies and critically newborns and their families. At any given time, there may be more than 20 specialists in different disciplines working on your baby's care team. That team may include nurses, a social work, a child life specialist, an educator, a dietician, and pediatric physicians who are highly specialized in medical care specific to your baby's needs.

Learn more about our NICU team.

Preparing for your NICU stay

We understand that this is a very stressful time so we've provided the following checklist and resources to help make your preparation, arrival and stay go more smoothly.

• Research your insurance benefits
• Tell your doctor that you have chosen Cook Children's for your baby's care
• Add your newborn to your insurance
• Research and select your pediatrician

NICU family events

A stay in the Cook Children's NICU makes you part of a very special family. We invite you to join us for a variety of events that support our NICU and help to fulfill our promise to improve the health of every child in our region.

Annual NICU reunion

The annual Cook Children's NICU Reunion marks milestones and celebrates more than 30 years of achievements for each and every one of our kids. With lots of food, fun and fellowship, it's a great time to renew old friendships and say hello to NICU staff members. Learn more

Pickin' for Preemies acoustic jam

Held in September, the annual Pickin' for Preemies acoustic jam, benefiting
Cook Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), is an entertaining evening of music, families and BBQ. The evening includes more than a dozen of the hottest Texas Red Dirt Artists. Learn more