The 35-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in St. John's Children's Hospital provides care to
nearly 450 premature and seriously ill newborns each year from across south-central Illinois. The
NICU also serves Springfield's Perinatal Region.
Specially trained nurses, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation specialists, social services
workers, pharmacists, nutritionists and chaplains make up the NICU team. At least one neonatologist
is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Since breastfeeding
provides newborns with the best nutrients possible, NICU nursing staff actively supports breastfeeding women.
