Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

If your newborn requires specialized medical care, UCI Health provides advanced treatment in our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).   

Our NICU team cares for premature and critically ill newborns using advanced technology, coordinated expertise and compassionate support for families. Because we’re integrated with our maternity and high-risk pregnancy programs, our specialists are ready to care for your baby immediately. 

Our NICU’s Level III rating means that meets the most rigorous standards set by the state of California. As one of only two Level III NICUs in Orange County, we specialize in caring for the smallest of the premature infants and infants born of multiple gestations. 

Our approach to NICU care

If your newborn requires specialized care, our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can treat even the most complex cases.  

Our NICUs provide advanced care for: 

• Premature infants 
• Newborns with respiratory complications 
• Infants with congenital conditions 

We understand how overwhelming it can be when your baby needs intensive care. Our NICU team focuses on both your baby’s medical needs and your family’s emotional well-being.   

Our multidisciplinary approach ensures coordinated care across specialties, especially between neonatology, obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine.   

We care for infants born as early as 23 weeks gestation and weighing less than 1 lb., providing specialized treatment for even the most complex conditions.   

Which babies may need NICU care?  

Babies may be admitted to the NICU if they:  

• Are born prematurely (before 37 weeks) 
• Have low birthweight 
• Require surgical or specialized medical care 
• Have birth defects or serious medical conditions 
• Are part of multiple births (twins, triplets or more)  

Your NICU care team  

Your baby’s care team includes specialists dedicated to newborn health and development.   

• Neonatologists  
• Specially trained neonatal nurses  
• Respiratory therapists 
• Nutrition specialists 
• Occupational and physical therapists 
• Social workers 
• Lactation consultants  

This coordinated team works together to monitor your baby’s progress and adjust care as needed. 

Maternal-Fetal Transport Services

The Maternal-Fetal Transport Service is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists who transfer critically ill infants and high-risk expectant mothers to UCI Health Orange. This service is available around the clock, seven days a week.

Rapid neonatal transport for critical newborns 

If a newborn requires specialized care, timely transfer to the NICU is critical. UCI Health provides specialized neonatal transport services designed to stabilize and safely transfer critically ill infants.  

Transport teams operate 24/7, working closely with referring hospitals to begin advanced care as quickly as possible.   

Each transport unit is equipped with specialized monitoring equipment and staffed by highly trained clinicians who stabilize newborns before and during transfer. This allows treatment to begin immediately — even before arrival at the NICU.  

For families, this means faster access to advanced neonatal care when every moment matters.  

Advanced brain protection through whole-body cooling 

Some newborns experience oxygen deprivation during birth, which can lead to brain injury. UCI Health offers therapeutic hypothermia, also known as whole-body cooling, to help reduce the severity of brain damage.  

Cooling treatment begins as quickly as possible — sometimes during transport — to protect brain function and improve long-term outcomes.  

For families, early access to this therapy can significantly improve recovery and developmental outcomes.  

Compassionate support through the Paloma Comfort Care Program 

When families receive difficult news about a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, emotional support becomes just as important as medical care. 

The Paloma Comfort Care Program provides coordinated support from pregnancy through delivery and newborn care. Families receive compassionate guidance to help them understand options and make informed decisions that reflect their goals and values. 

Services may include: 

• Developing personalized birth plans  
• Coordinating care across specialties  
• Providing counseling and emotional support  
• Supporting siblings and extended family  
• Offering spiritual care and grief support  
• Providing follow-up support after discharge  

This program ensures that families facing complex situations receive care that honors their needs, preferences and emotional well-being.

What sets UCI Health NICU care apart

Integrated care from pregnancy through newborn treatment 

UCI Health combines high-risk obstetrics and neonatal care in one location. This coordination allows rapid intervention when complications arise, improving outcomes for both mother and baby.  

Advanced Level III NICU for complex newborn care 

Our Level III NICU at UCI Health — Orange meets rigorous state standards and treats extremely premature and critically ill infants, including those born as early as 23 weeks. 

This advanced level of care allows specialists to treat complex conditions close to home, reducing the need for transfers to distant facilities. 

Rapid neonatal transport when time is critical 

Our specialized transport teams stabilize newborns and begin treatment before arrival at the NICU, supporting faster access to advanced care.  

Advanced therapies that support long-term recovery 

Specialized treatments such as whole-body cooling help reduce brain injury after oxygen deprivation and improve neurological outcomes.  

Family-centered care during difficult moments 

Programs like Paloma Comfort Care provide emotional, physical and spiritual support to families navigating complex diagnoses or critical illness.  

What to expect in the NICU

We know that having an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) may be a difficult time for you and your family. Our intention is to provide the best possible emotional and physical care while ensuring security for your infant. Here is some additional information about our facility to help you while your premature or critically ill newborn is receiving care.

Calling and visiting the NICU

Family is welcome to call or visit the NICU anytime, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Families are encouraged to visit as often as possible.

• NICU 4200 Wing: 714-456-5285
• NICU 4400 Wing: 714-456-5041

While your baby is in our NICU, parents will be asked to provide the names of four people who will be permitted to visit your baby without you. Anyone not on this list will only be permitted to visit with a parent present.

Staying with your infant

We want infants and their families to be as comfortable as possible while they are staying in our NICU. The following amenities are available to parents and visiting family members:

• A waiting room for family
• A playroom for siblings of premature and critically ill infants
• Special chairs in each room, called Kangaroo Chairs, designed for mother and child skin-to-skin holding
• A parent nesting room, where parents can stay for one night with their infant before discharge the next day
• A bench in every room to accommodate additional visitors or overnight stays

Lodging

If you need accommodations, UCI Health has special rates with local hotels – some within walking distance to the medical center and with free shuttle service.

View local accommodations

Dining

Families visiting the medical center have a wide variety of dining options, including the Tony & Daisy Fan Dining Room, which is located on the first floor of UC Irvine Douglas Hospital. There are also a variety of restaurants in close proximity to the medical center.

View local dining options

Mothers who have been admitted to UC Irvine Douglas Hospital can order meals through room service from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. by calling 714-456-3663. Selected snacks and light meals can be ordered after hours.

Security

To protect your infant’s privacy and security, information is given to the parents only. You will be given a NICU parent badge and an identification band with a number that matches your infant’s. You will need your identification number whenever you call or visit the nursery in order to verify your identity.

Parking

UCI Health Orange

Parking is available in the south structure on Dawn Way and The City Drive. From Dawn Way, park in the structure on the left. From there, a shuttle is available to transport you to the hospital.

Immediate family members can have their parking sticker validated. Other visitors can purchase a long-term parking pass at a reduced cost. Valet parking is also available at a reduced cost.

UCI Health Fountain Valley

[INSERT PARKING INFO HERE]

Spiritual support

If you have spiritual needs, UCI Health Spiritual Care Services gives access to the appropriate spiritual advisors and cultural groups in the community that can give you emotional support. Families are also welcome to bring their own clergy at any time. For spiritual support services, call 714-456-6157 or 714-456-1749.

NICU photo gallery

Take a photo tour of the UCI Health Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Our level III NICU meets the rigorous standards of care set by the state of California. We are equipped to care for the smallest, sickest babies in the region.

Visite nuestra galería de fotos en español

Supporting families during NICU care

NICU care is not only about treating your baby – it also means supporting your family.   

We encourage bonding and family involvement throughout your baby’s stay.   

Family-centered support includes:  

• Family waiting areas 
• Sibling playroom 
• Overnight accommodations for parents 
• Access to social workers for emotional support   
• Specialized services that support critical newborn care

Supporting your well-being and mental health

When your baby is in the NICU, it can feel overwhelming. You may experience anxiety, stress, sadness, guilt, fear and uncertainty. But your well-being matters, too. 

We're here to support you and your family's mental health during this time and beyond. Our Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry team provides compassionate, personalized support for parents navigating the emotional challenges of a NICU stay.

UC Health Milk Bank

The best alternative food for any baby whose own mother's milk is not available is the breast milk of another healthy mother. UC Irvine obtains banked breast milk from a source that has screened its donors and takes other precautions to help ensure the safety of its milk.

Kangaroo care

This is a technique practiced in newborn, usually preterm, infants wherein the infant is held skin-to-skin with an adult. This may be restricted to a few hours per day, but if they are medically stable, that time may be extended.

Nutrition services

Our NICUs have registered dietitians on staff to monitor the weight gain and nutritional health of infants in the NICU. Our dietitians work in conjunction with other members of the medical team to ensure all infants receive optimal nutrition.

Lactation services

Giving breast milk and breast-feeding a premature infant can be a challenge. Lactation consultants in our NICU will meet with mothers after their infant’s arrival to show them how to use electric breast pumps, how to store and transport breast milk, maintain breast health and a good milk supply.

Cuddler volunteer program

The birth of a baby who needs intensive medical care is often unexpected. Many families cannot visit the hospital every day to spend time with their new baby. Cuddler volunteers can provide support to babies and their families, giving personal attention and developmentally appropriate stimulation. Cuddler volunteers read books, talk, sing and console babies in gentle, soothing tones. Volunteers are screened, guided and directed by the NICU medical staff. Babies eligible for the program are determined by the NICU staff.

Child Life Services

The child life services department focuses on the emotional well-being of the family and children in the healthcare setting. Child life specialists work with families, particularly the siblings of NICU patients, to help them cope with the fear, anxiety and stress of the hospital intensive care setting. They provide a service called "supervised-sibling at play" on specific hours during family visits in the NICU.

In addition to advanced NICU care, UCI Health offers specialized programs designed to support newborns and families during complex medical situations.  

A blessing for babies

Deacons administer a nondemoninational blessing to all NICU patients whose parents give verbal consent and are at bedside during the scheduled time.

The blessing is held every Sunday morning, between 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Please advise your clinical social worker if you wish to have your baby blessed by an officiate of your faith instead of receiving a nondenominational blessing.

Contact our chaplain

For more information about the Spiritual & Pastoral Support Program, contact Lead Chaplain Joseph Nguyen at 714-456-6157 or email nguyenjs@uci.edu, or Associate Chaplain Pirjo Carlisle at 714-712-1749 or email pcarlisl@uci.edu.