Equipment Used by Neonatal Nurses

Isolettes

• Infants are placed in a small bed that is entirely closed in by a hard and clear plastic cover. These isolettes are true to their name, as they "isolate" and protect the infant from outside sources for their own protection. The isolette is capable of maintaining a stable and warm environment to help keep the infant's body temperature stable. Since the neonate's delicate system is so sensitive, this is a top priority. A nurse or a doctor is able to monitor the infant safely through openings in the sides of the isolette. These openings also allow a parent to touch the infant on a routine basis as dictated by the doctors and nurses.

Phototherapy Lights

• Many premature infants experience jaundice. This is when the infant displays a yellowish tinge to her skin and/or to the white part of her eye. When the infant is placed underneath a phototherapy light the bilirubin in the infant's system begins to dissipate. Jaundice is a common occurrence among newborns. This special light therapy blanket is combined with specialized lighting overhead. After a few days under phototherapy lights the infant's condition shows vast improvement in most cases.

Mechanical Ventilators

• A mechanical ventilator is a machine to aide the infant in breathing. The infant is connected to the mechanical ventilator through a tube that is placed in his windpipe. There are several types of mechanical ventilators, all used for the same purpose.

Feeding Tubes

• Many infants in the neonatal intensive care unit are unable to take in nourishment sufficiently through just their bottle alone. When this occurs the use of a feeding tube is initiated. The nurse will feed the infant her mother's breast milk through a small tube that is placed in her nose, mouth or stomach. Feeding an infant in this manner helps her conserve energy as well. If the feeding tube is undisturbed, there will be no additional irritation to the infant's delicate system. The tube is generally secured to avoid any movement.