Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Board-certified neonatologists and NICU-trained nurses provide around-the-clock monitoring, treatment, and support for complex conditions such as neonatal abstinence syndrome, jaundice and genetic disorders in newborns.

The NICUs are equipped with non-invasive oxygen support, ventilators, and a respiratory therapy team for support. Additionally, the NICUs at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital have higher levels of respiratory support, such as high-frequency oscillators, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and mechanical ventilation. Surfactant administration is also available for infants with underdeveloped lungs.

NICU-dedicated dietitians, lactation consultants, and speech-language pathologists work together to ensure your baby receives the nutrition they need, whether through total parenteral nutrition (TPN), bottle, or breastfeeding.

From kangaroo care to bedside education and personalized pain management, our teams help you stay involved in your baby’s care.

At our anchor hospitals, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital, neonatal surgeons treat complex conditions such as gastroschisis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and complications from NEC.

Families can stay connected with their babies even when outside the hospital. Many of our NICUs offer secure, live-streaming camera systems so families can check in on their newborns from anywhere.

Thanks to a generous partnership with March of Dimes, the NICUs at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital offer a NICU Family Support® Program, providing educational resources, caregiver training and emotional support for families.

A dedicated NICU family support coordinator is on-site to help families navigate the NICU experience.

At K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, families also benefit from:

• A NICU-dedicated social worker trained in prenatal, peripartum and postpartum family evaluation and support to assist parents through every stage of their NICU journey.
• A specialized pediatric advanced care team (PACT) to help families cope with unanticipated congenital conditions, preterm birth, and the transition home.
• Ongoing care coordination for families whose children have long-term needs, including monitoring for complications like ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) and supporting access to follow-up eye exams,
• hearing screening, genetic screening, and metabolic screening. The PACT coordinator provides long-term support, following them throughout childhood and during any future hospital stays.

Yes, as long as your baby is stable and the medical team approves, you’ll be encouraged to do skin-to-skin (kangaroo) care.

The length of stay depends on your baby’s condition, gestational age, and progress. Some babies need a few days of monitoring while others may stay for weeks.

Our NICUs have lactation consultants available 24/7 to support pumping, storing, and breastfeeding. Donor milk may be available when needed.

Support includes social work services, mental health counseling, March of Dimes programs, family education, and bedside participation in care.

Your baby can be safely transferred to one of our Level IV NICUs or surgical teams. Transport is handled by a NICU-specific team that ensures continuous care.

Our hospitals and NICUs have earned national recognition, demonstrating our commitment to providing the highest quality neonatal care:

• Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital’s NICU is the first NICU in New Jersey to receive Disease-Specific Certification for Prematurity from The Joint Commission, recognizing excellence in the care of premature infants. The NICU’s Small Baby Unit is dedicated to improving survival and long-term outcomes for infants born before 30 weeks gestation.
• Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital's NICU is the first in the nation to receive Advanced Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission.
• The NICU at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital received the Gold Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses – one of the highest distinctions for nursing care.
• Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital are home to the NICU Reach Out and Read program, supporting early childhood literacy for NICU graduates.
• Both Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital, and JFK University Medical Center have earned Magnet® designation for nursing excellence.

All of our NICUs are part of the Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health network, ensuring that babies who need a higher level of care can be quickly and safely transferred within our system. Our hospitals offer different NICU levels, ranging from Level II (for babies born at 32 weeks or later who need additional support) to Level IV (for critically ill newborns requiring advanced care). If a baby requires transport from a lower-level NICU to a higher-level facility, our NICU-dedicated transport teams – including a neonatal nurse, respiratory therapist and provider – accompany the baby, ensuring continuity of care.

Our NICUs go beyond medical care – they provide comprehensive support for families navigating the NICU journey, including:

• Dedicated NICU social workers who help families access resources and emotional support.
• The March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program provides education and social connections for families.
• NICU Family Advisory Councils at select locations connect current NICU families with past NICU graduates for peer support.
• The Beads of Courage program provides families with tangible symbols of their baby’s strength and milestones throughout the NICU journey.
• The OB Well Program provides maternal mental health services and support.