Location and Contact Information
The Regional Neonatal Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. You may telephone the nursery at any time and speak with your baby's nurse by calling (914) 493-8585.
Other important contact numbers:
- Regional Neonatal Center (914) 493-8585
- Social Worker (914) 493-7511
- Lactation Consultant (914) 493-7575
- Chaplain Offices (914) 493-7125
- Case Manager (914) 493-1356
- RNICU Office (914) 493-8486
- Music Therapist (914) 493-6640
Visiting the RNICU
Your first visit to the Regional Neonatal Center may seem overwhelming as there may be a lot of equipment around your baby. Sometimes you will hear alarms sounding alerts the staff to changes in your baby's status. These are not danger signals but calls to attention and they are often triggered by movement. This is OK, and it is the health team's role to interpret them. The nurses will explain the equipment to you so you will be able to focus on your baby.
During your visit(s) to the RNICU you will be able to sit next to your baby's bed, gently touch and softly talk to him or her. When your baby is well enough you can hold and rock him or her. Hearing your voice will be familiar and comforting to your baby.
For your convenience, visitor bathrooms are located throughout the Regional Neonatal Center.
Visiting Hours
To maintain the highest level of care and family involvement, the nursery has a visitor policy which allows you to stay with your baby 24 hours a day. However, during shift changes (6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.), our healthcare providers discuss important information about caring for your baby. Please plan to be with your baby before or after these times so we may be fully available to you for questions and information.
Visiting Guidelines
Handwashing - Anyone entering the RNICU must wash his or her hands thoroughly to minimize entry of undesirable bacteria into the nursery. For your convenience, sinks are located at the entrance to the nursery.
- If you are visiting twins or more than one unrelated baby, please wash your hands before handling each baby.
- Remove your jewelry (watches, rings and bracelets) from your hands and arms. Fold your sleeves up to your elbows: then wash and scrub your hands. This helps to maintain a "clean" environment for your baby to grow in.
Visitors - No more than two people may visit any baby at one time, one of whom must be the parent. Other family members may visit between the hours of 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Your other children must be accompanied by you, be in good health (not currently ill) and must have had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine at least 3 weeks prior to their visit.
- Children must be supervised and accompanied by an adult at all times while in the Regional Neonatal Center.
- Anyone who has been exposed to a contagious disease may not enter the Regional Neonatal Center. If you are uncertain about exposure, please check with the nursing staff.
- Anyone with mild cold-like symptoms, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose or upset stomach must obtain a facemask from our staff or abstain from visiting unless absolutely necessary for parental teaching or other required in-person activity.