Neonatal ICU

Premature baby Thalia is fitted with a Continuous Positive Air Pressure device, or CPAP, which helps her under-developed lungs expand with each breath, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Hamilton, New Jersey. Thalia was born 7 weeks premature. Continued advances in medical science increases the chances for younger and younger prematurely-born infants to survive.

Premature baby Thalia lies in her mother's arms, in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Hamilton, New Jersey. Thalia was thirty three weeks old when she was born.

Premature baby Thalia is confined to her incubator, comforted by her pacifier in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit in Hamilton, New Jersey. Born seven weeks premature, Thalia's developing eyes are protected prior to her phototherapy treatments to reduce her jaundice, a condition common in premature infants.

Premature baby Thalia is fed through a feeding tube inserted into her stomach through her small nose, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Hamilton, New Jersey. Thalia has not yet developed the muscular coordination to breathe, suck and swallow at the same time.

Premature baby Thalia born 7 weeks premature. At 33-weeks-old, Thalia is cared for in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit in Hamilton, New Jersey. Continued advances in medical science increase the chances for younger and younger prematurely-born infants to survive.

Premature baby Thalia born 7 weeks premature. At 33-weeks-old, Thalia is cared for in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit in Hamilton, New Jersey. Continued advances in medical science increase the chances for younger and younger prematurely-born infants to survive.

Premature baby Thalia is fed Colostrum, retrieved from her mother. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Hamilton, New Jersey. Colostrum is the first milk a mother produces in the early days of breastfeeding. This special milk is low in fat, high in carbohydrates and protein, and antibodies help keep the baby healthy. It is extremely easy to digest. It is low in volume but high in concentrated nutrition for the newborn. Colostrum has a laxative effect on the baby, helping him pass his early stools, which aids in the excretion of excess bilirubin and helps prevent jaundice.

Premature baby Thalia is woken up to bathe under the warming lights, with extra bandages on her face to secure her feeding tube, as she keeps pulling it out, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Hamilton, New Jersey.

Premature baby Thalia born 7 weeks premature. At 33-weeks-old, Thalia is cared for in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit in Hamilton, New Jersey. Continued advances in medical science increase the chances for younger and younger prematurely-born infants to survive.

Premature baby Thalia born 7 weeks premature. At 33-weeks-old, Thalia is cared for in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit in Hamilton, New Jersey. Continued advances in medical science increase the chances for younger and younger prematurely-born infants to survive.

Premature baby Thalia lies in her mother's arms, inside the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Hamilton, New Jersey. Thalia was only thirty- three weeks old when she was born.

Premature baby Thalia stares at the picture of a family member, in her basinette, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Hamilton, New Jersey. The staff at the unit had suggested for the photos to be placed there. Born 7 weeks premature, Thalia is cared for in a state-of-the-art At the NICU staff's suggestion, Thalia's parents placed family photographs in her basinette.

Premature baby Thalia is ready to go home after spending twenty two days in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Hamilton, New Jersey. Thalia waits for her parents to complete the hospital's paperwork so she can go home.

Premature baby Thalia on her first day home after spending 21 days at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit.