Fast Finder:

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Wee-Care Program

It's amazing to think of the research advances and subsequent changes in caregiving practices over the last 15 years with babies who are in the NICU. NICUs used to be bright and noisy and babies were routinely cared for by being placed flat on their backs without any support. Over the years, changes in the care offered to premature and hospitalized infants have occurred. Developmental care practices are becoming more widely recognized throughout the world as an essential part of standard infant care. Babies are surviving at lower weights than ever imagined, and the NICU is becoming an increasingly more nurturing environment for babies and their families. All of these changes contribute to the most important thing of all—improved outcomes for the most fragile babies.

At Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, developmental care is one of the most important parts of your baby's care. That's why in November 2005, the NICU adopted a new and innovative developmental care approach for all babies that stay with us—Wee-Care.  The Wee-Care program is designed to give each baby individualized developmental care based on their gestation. As they grow, the program grows with them. All staff members who care for your baby have been trained with special Wee-Care techniques to provide the gentle touches that will help your baby grow faster and steadier with each passing day.

There are many different parts of developmental care, which the physician, nurse and/or respiratory therapists will explain to you. Premature babies show stress in many different ways. They can't tell us what's wrong so it's our job to pay close attention to their signs of distress. Some of these common signs could be:

  • Spitting Up
  • Gagging
  • Hiccups
  • Arching
  • Sneezing
  • Sighing
  • Grimacing
  • Finger Splaying
  • Yawning
  • Coughing
  • Frowning

If you have any questions about the Wee-Care program, please contact Mendy Mestas, R.N., B.S.N., CCRN, Developmental Care Coordinator 208-367-6483.

Back to top

Health Interactive

Preparing for Your Baby

Anatomy of the heartFind out what you'll need on hand when your baby comes home.

Launch Interactive.

Pre=register for your visit to Saint AlphonsusPre=register for your visit to Saint Alphonsus