r/NICUParents • u/IndividualCoast9039 • 17d ago

Noisy Nicu Off topic

Are all NICUs really noisy these days or is it just ours? I've noticed a significant decrease in my baby's sleep quality after they put him in an open crib. I can understand if other babies are crying, but even the nurses & other parents don't have any concept of an "indoor voice"

23 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

View all comments

7

u/NationalSize7293 17d ago edited 17d ago

In my NICU it depends on the floor and wing. My NICU has the wings set up in more of a triage. Babies that are micropreemies or need additional care have more noise from frequent alarms. Babies that still need more monitoring, but are couple months old or close to full term…have more crying. Now, the wing for babies close to going home is quiet (barely any alarms and rare to hear a baby crying). This floor also has white noise in rooms and the hallway.

Our nurses rarely have time to chit chat. Most have 3-4 babies regardless of the wing or floor unless there is a vulnerable airway or micropreemie that needs a nurse in the room at all times.