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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Wee-Care Program: Positioning Tools

With Wee-Care in mind, the NICU staff takes many wee-steps in order to provide the best developmental care for positioning all babies. We have special positioning tools to help babies feel contained, safe and secure while being out in the open. Some of the positioning aids you will see in your baby's warmer or isolette are:

Bendy Bumpers
Bendy bumpers are bendable positioning aids that help nest the baby by being shaped to surround the baby. They're covered with soft foam and help provide boundaries for developing neonates and promote containment, flexion, correct positioning and musculoskeletal development.

Snuggle Ups
Snuggle ups are soft, cozy nests that help provide proper positioning and physiological stability for preterm and ill babies. The padded foot roll and the soft, adjustable straps allow movement while gently maintaining appropriate positioning and flexion. Once comfortably nested in the Snuggle Up, the baby can be weighed, moved, examined or transported with minimal stress and disruption.

Freddy the Frog Positioning Pillows
Freddy the Frog Positioning Pillows are versatile, frog-shaped bean bag positioning aids designed by an NICU nurse to help achieve goals for developmentally supportive positioning. Freddy may be placed around the head, neck or hips, or used to position an extremity. Portions of Freddy can be adjusted separately for special positioning needs and can even be used as an extra set of hands during procedures. Freddy is made from a soft, cotton/polyester blend and is machine washable and dryable. 

Wedgies
Wedgies are a triangular-shaped cushions filled with a non-toxic gel that provides flexible yet stable support for all positioning needs. When placed under a baby's cheek and repositioned periodically, the Wedgie can be used to shift pressure points and increase the baby's comfort level.

Gel-E-Donuts
Gel-E-Donuts are used to help alleviate pressure caused by prolonged immobility or other conditions where frequent repositioning is inadvisable. It not only helps to minimize skin breakdown of immobilized patients, but also may be used to aid in the healing process if a sore or ulcer is present.

IncuCovers
IncuCovers provide babies with a darkened, protective environment over the isolettes, so babies can grow in a peaceful environment.

Snoedels
Snoedels use a simple and effective concept to offer parents a way to comfort and bond with their baby—even when their baby is in the hospital. The pure, Dutch sheep wool incorporated into the the high quality flannel doll absorbs the parents' scent and slowly releases it. The Snoedel provides babies with a sense of comfort, helps ease parents' feelings of helplessness and may become a child's favorite comfort toy.

Giraffe Warmer/Isolettes
Giraffe Warmer/Isolettes are located throughout the unit. These beds are designed with special mattresses to help prevent skin breakdown in premature and ill babies. The alarms were designed to be quiet enough to not disturb your baby, yet loud enough for the nurses and/or respiratory therapists to hear. The top of the warmer can easily be raised up to allow quick access to your baby, as well as for surgical procedures. 

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