Choosing Our Neonatology Team

Whether you're at risk for a preterm delivery, your unborn baby has a condition that will require immediate care after birth, or your baby is currently in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), it's important to choose the highest level of care possible. One of the first questions parents ask is if they can choose which neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) their baby goes to. The answer is yes, the choice is yours.

Why choose Cook Children's

Our Level IV NICU is fully equipped to treat the sickest infants with the most difficult and complex diagnoses, including all types of respiratory, surgical, cardiac, genetic, renal, neurological, hematological and metabolic diseases. We care for babies as young as 23 weeks gestation and as small as one pound at birth. When you choose Cook Children's, you can also rest assured that your baby is surrounded 24/7 by top-ranked neonatal specialists, a full range of nationally recognized specialties and subspecialties and a team of nursing and medical professionals—all with extensive training and expertise in advanced treatment and care for critically ill newborns, preemies, and even the smallest micropreemies.

Our NICU is designed so that everything from our advanced technology, all-single patient rooms, neonatologists and support services give your baby and your family the best chance at a successful start in life.

From the very beginning, we will include you in the care of your child so that you can make the most informed decisions and choices that are right for your child and your family.

Keeping Our Promise: William's Story NICU at Cook Children's

Top ranked neonatology program

Neonatology is an in-hospital subspecialty of pediatrics that focuses solely on the care and treatment of critically ill newborns and babies that are born prematurely. Our neonatologists and Level IV Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are consistently ranked among the best in the nation for care that combines the most advanced treatments with heartfelt compassion.

When you entrust your newborn to Cook Children's, you'll have access to leading neonatologists, nationally recognized pediatricians, specialists, researchers and clinicians who are all specially trained in the complexities of treating newborns, preemies and micro-preemies.

All-single rooms

Studies have shown that fragile babies do much better in a quieter, more controlled NICU environment. Since each baby in a NICU has very unique needs, one unit doesn't fit all. Cook Children's NICU features 99 all-single patient rooms so that each baby in our care can receive individualized treatment in technologically advanced suites with round-the-clock monitoring. The medical staff can control the lighting and temperature of each room, giving each baby the ideal environment. Because babies from a multiple birth are often premature, our rooms can also accommodate twins, triplets and even quadruplets.

All-single rooms also make it possible for parents to spend as much time as they choose with their newborn. You're by your baby's side, and your baby's medical team is only step away from your baby.

Advanced care

Your child will also have access to state-of-the-art testing and diagnostics with a focus on technology that is minimally or noninvasive whenever possible. And that means giving you and your child the best treatment options and care choices available to repair their heart and help them grow and lead active lives.

Neonatal therapists

Specialized therapy for our tiny babies is a very important part of their care. Our respiratory, physical, speech and occupational therapists have training unique to helping the babies in our neonatal unit achieve the most successful start at life.

Respiratory therapists provide breathing therapies for preemies and babies with medical conditions.
Occupational and physical therapists focus on your baby's fine and gross motor skills which are crucial to their development.
Speech therapists can help neonates who haven't been able to breast or bottle feed learn how to suck so they can begin feeding.

NICU lactation services

Breast milk is best for fragile babies because is it contains most of the nutrients your baby needs to grow. For fragile babies, breast feeding isn't always possible. Your baby may need to be fed breast milk through a tube temporarily. Until your baby can breast feed, we provide breast pumps and milk storage onsite and our lactation specialists help you with any problems or concerns you may have. Once your baby is able to breast feed, he or she may need a little help learning how. Our lactation specialists will help you and your baby get back on track so that by the time you go home, your baby should be either breast or bottle feeding.

NICU donor milk services

Sometimes, due to stress or other issues, moms of NICU babies aren't able to produce enough breast milk to feed their baby. Cook Children's participates in donor breast milk program to ensure that the fragile babies in our NICU get the nourishment they need to thrive.

Support for NICU families

Having a child in the NICU is very stressful. We offer support for parents and family members to help make your stay a little easier.

Social workers are on hand to help you locate resources that fit your babies health needs and your financial situation in both the short- and long-term.
Clinical therapists are on hand to help parents and siblings cope with the stresses and emotions through individual, couple, family and group counseling. These services are all onsite so you don’t need to worry about being away from your baby.
Support groups are also available. While your baby is in the NICU, you may find comfort in our NICU support group where parents share their experiences and offer support. For parents whose babies have a serious or ongoing medical diagnosis, specialty support groups are available.
Child Life specialists provide support for siblings and for family members, and can provide some much needed fun, relaxation and creative expression.

NEST developmental program

Babies who are born early or with medical challenges often get a late start on their development. Our NEST developmental follow-up program helps them catch up to their fullest potential. Support from our NEST team begins before your baby goes home, helps with your transition home, and continues anywhere from a few months, up to the age of 5, depending on your child's developmental needs.

Home Health services

If your requires specialized equipment, therapy or other services after you return home, Cook Children's Home Health is here to support you through the continued recovery process. Led by a team of clinicians with pediatric expertise, our services include medical equipment, nursing, orthotics, prosthetics, cranial asymmetry, pharmacy and rehabilitation.

Cook Children's Health Plans

Serious illness or long-term care can sometimes cause serious financial setbacks. Cook Children's Health Plan offers quality health care plans that you can afford for the whole family. The CHIP, STAR, and STAR Kids programs allow you to choose from many doctors, clinics, hospitals and specialty services.

We're here to help.

If you are interested in scheduling a tour of our NICU, please call 682-885-4375. You can find information on how to refer a patient or other NICU contact information here.