Specialized Care for Your Baby in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Newborn babies sometimes need specialized medical care right after birth, especially if they are born too early (premature), have a low birth weight, or are sick at delivery. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and Special Care Nurseries (SCNs) provide this extra support during the first weeks—and sometimes months—of a baby’s life.

Hearing that your baby needs NICU or special care is overwhelming. In West Michigan, you are not alone. Grand Rapids is home to advanced neonatal services at:

  • Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (formerly Spectrum Health) – Level IV NICU
  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital – Maternity and neonatal services
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids – Special Care Nursery and maternity care
  • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health) – Special Care Nursery and newborn care

These teams work closely with families from Grand Rapids, Kent County, and surrounding West Michigan communities.

What Is Specialized Newborn Care?

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in Grand Rapids

A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) cares for newborns who need intensive monitoring and treatment for serious or critical conditions immediately after birth. Babies in the NICU may:

  • Be born very premature
  • Have breathing difficulties
  • Have infections or congenital conditions
  • Need surgery or advanced respiratory support

In the Grand Rapids area, NICU-level care is primarily provided at:

  • Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Corewell Health) – Regional referral center for West Michigan and the Great Lakes region

Many babies from smaller hospitals across West and Northern Michigan are transferred here when they need the highest level of neonatal care.

Special Care Nurseries (SCNs) in Grand Rapids

A Special Care Nursery (SCN) looks after babies who are generally more stable than NICU patients but still need extra monitoring or treatment. These babies may:

  • Be moderately premature
  • Have low birth weight
  • Need help with feeding or temperature control
  • Need short-term oxygen or IV fluids

In the Grand Rapids area, SCNs and special care services are available at:

  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health)
  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital

If your baby’s condition changes—either improving or needing more support—they may be moved between an SCN and a NICU, and sometimes between hospitals.

Transfers and Emergency Transport in West Michigan

When a baby needs a higher level of care than the birth hospital can provide, a specialized neonatal transport team may arrange a transfer to a NICU or SCN in Grand Rapids.

These teams:

  • Are available 24/7
  • Include neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians
  • Use specialized equipment to keep your baby safe and stable during transport

If your baby later becomes more stable, they may be “back-transferred” to a hospital closer to home for ongoing care before discharge.

Equipment and Monitors in the NICU or SCN

Seeing your baby surrounded by machines, cords, and alarms can be frightening. In Grand Rapids NICUs and SCNs, this equipment is used to closely monitor and protect your baby. Depending on what your baby needs, they may have:

  • Leads on their chest to monitor heart rate and breathing
  • Breathing support such as oxygen, CPAP, or a ventilator
  • A small IV line in the hand, foot, or scalp for fluids and medications
  • Sensors on the hand or foot to measure oxygen levels
  • A catheter in the umbilical cord (umbilical line) for medications or blood sampling
  • Feeding tubes connected to a pump to give breastmilk or formula

A nurse will explain what each piece of equipment does and how it helps your baby.

Keeping Your Baby Warm and Comfortable

Michigan’s climate, especially in Grand Rapids winters, can be very cold and unpredictable. Newborns—especially premature or low-birth-weight babies—lose heat quickly and cannot regulate their temperature well. In the NICU or SCN, keeping your baby warm is a top priority.

Your baby may be cared for in:

  • An incubator – a clear, enclosed crib that keeps your baby warm and protected
  • A heated open cot – an open bed with overhead or mattress heating

Staff will regularly check your baby’s temperature and adjust the environment as needed.

Your Role in Your Baby’s Healthcare Team

You are a vital part of your baby’s care team. In Grand Rapids hospitals, families are encouraged to be involved as much as possible.

Your Baby’s Healthcare Team May Include

  • Neonatologists (specialist doctors for newborns)
  • Pediatric specialists (cardiology, surgery, etc., as needed)
  • Neonatal nurses and special care nursery nurses
  • Respiratory therapists and technicians (lab, x-ray, echocardiogram)
  • Care managers or case managers
  • Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists
  • Lactation consultants
  • Social workers and counselors
  • Pastoral care and spiritual support staff

A care manager will usually help coordinate your baby’s overall care plan. They will:

  • Welcome you to the unit
  • Explain how the unit works
  • Help organize meetings with your baby’s doctors and care team
  • Discuss discharge planning and community resources in Grand Rapids and Kent County

Communication and Medical Rounds

Each NICU or SCN in Grand Rapids may have slightly different communication systems, but common features include:

  • Daily medical rounds – doctors and nurses discuss each baby’s progress
  • Bedside nurse updates – your baby’s nurse can explain recent changes and test results
  • Whiteboards or care boards near your baby’s bed for notes and questions
  • Phone access – parents can usually call the unit any time to check on their baby

You are encouraged to:

  • Ask questions during or after rounds
  • Share information about your baby (feeding cues, responses, concerns)
  • Request a dedicated family meeting for more complex discussions

Visiting the NICU or Special Care Nursery

Visiting Hours and Access

Most Grand Rapids hospitals with NICUs and SCNs offer 24-hour access for parents, often with:

  • A swipe card or secure entry system
  • Visitor check-in at the front desk or unit entrance

The space around your baby’s cot or incubator is your family’s space. You can often bring:

  • Photos
  • A small toy or blanket (once approved by staff)
  • Cards or other comforting items

Overnight Stays

Arrangements vary by hospital, but may include:

  • Parent sleep rooms or family rooms on or near the unit
  • On-site or nearby accommodation for families who live outside Grand Rapids
  • Support from social workers to explore housing options if your baby has a long stay

Ask your nurse or care manager about overnight options at:

  • Corewell Health (Butterworth / Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health-West

Visitor Limits and Illness Precautions

To protect vulnerable babies:

  • Units typically limit the number of visitors at the bedside (often three people at a time, including at least one parent).
  • Children under 12 who are not siblings are usually not allowed to visit.
  • There may be quiet times or “baby rest times” when visiting is restricted.

If someone is unwell, they should not visit the NICU or SCN. This includes:

  • Colds or flu-like symptoms
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea or vomiting
  • Any known infection

If you are unsure about symptoms or risks, talk to your care manager or your baby’s doctor before visiting.

Food, Drink, and Family Spaces

For safety and infection control:

  • You usually cannot bring food or drink into the NICU or SCN areas.
  • Most Grand Rapids hospitals provide family rooms nearby where you can:
    • Eat and drink
    • Store food in a refrigerator
    • Take breaks while staying close to your baby

Ask staff to show you where these spaces are located.

Infection Control in the NICU and SCN

Premature and medically fragile babies are at higher risk of infection. Infection control is especially important in neonatal and special care units in Grand Rapids and across Michigan.

Hand Hygiene

Hospital staff will show you how to:

  • Wash your hands up to the elbows or use alcohol-based hand rub
  • Clean your hands every time you enter and leave the unit
  • Clean your hands before and after touching your baby or their equipment

Proper hand hygiene is one of the best ways to protect your baby from germs.

Immunizations and Premature Babies

Routine childhood immunizations recommended in the United States immunization schedule are safe for premature and low-birth-weight babies. In many cases:

  • Vaccines are given based on your baby’s age since birth, not their due date.
  • Some very preterm babies may need extra monitoring or additional doses for certain vaccines.

Immunizations that help protect vulnerable babies include:

  • Whooping cough (pertussis)
  • Influenza (flu) – especially important during Michigan’s long flu season
  • Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
  • Chickenpox (varicella)

Reactions to immunizations are generally similar in premature and full-term babies. Your neonatologist or pediatrician will explain the schedule and answer your questions.

Feeding Your Baby in Specialized Care

Breastmilk and Premature Babies

At first, your baby may not be able to breastfeed directly, especially if they are very premature or need breathing support. They may be fed through a feeding tube until they are strong enough to feed by mouth.

Breastmilk is especially important for premature and sick babies because it:

  • Provides complete nutrition
  • Helps protect against infections and serious intestinal conditions
  • Supports growth and development

After delivery, your breasts produce colostrum, a thick, nutrient-rich first milk. Even tiny amounts of colostrum can be very beneficial for your baby.

A nurse or lactation consultant will show you how to:

  • Express colostrum by hand soon after birth
  • Use a breast pump to express larger amounts of milk
  • Store and label milk safely for use in the NICU or SCN

Expressing milk every few hours:

  • Feeds your baby while they are in specialized care
  • Helps build and maintain your milk supply for when your baby can breastfeed directly

Excess breastmilk can be stored and used later, which is especially helpful if you live outside central Grand Rapids or cannot be at the hospital all the time.

Formula Feeding and Combination Feeding

If you choose not to breastfeed, or if you are unable to provide enough breastmilk, your healthcare team will discuss:

  • Infant formula options
  • How to safely prepare and store formula
  • How to combine breastmilk and formula when needed

A nurse or lactation consultant can also suggest ways to increase your milk supply if you wish to provide more breastmilk.

Emotional Support for Families in Grand Rapids

Having a baby in the NICU or SCN can be emotionally and physically exhausting for parents and extended family. Grand Rapids hospitals and local organizations offer support.

Hospital-Based Support

Social workers and mental health professionals can help with:

  • Counseling and emotional support
  • Coping strategies for stress, anxiety, or depression
  • Support for bonding with your baby in the NICU
  • Information about parent support groups and community resources

They can also provide referrals to:

  • Internal hospital services (chaplaincy, financial counseling, child life specialists)
  • External services in Grand Rapids and Kent County, including:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs
    • Local parenting and mental health resources

Getting Ready to Leave the NICU or Special Care Nursery

Leaving the security of the hospital can feel both exciting and scary. Your healthcare team will not discharge your baby until they believe:

  • Your baby is medically stable
  • You are confident and prepared to care for your baby at home
  • A follow-up plan and community supports are in place

When Babies Are Usually Ready to Go Home

Every baby is different, but many are ready to leave NICU or SCN when they:

  • Are close to or at their original due date
  • Can maintain a normal temperature in an open cot (without extra heating)
  • Have gained enough weight and are growing steadily
  • Can take all or most feedings by breast or bottle
  • No longer need IV medications or intensive monitoring

Your baby may first be transferred from a NICU to a special care nursery closer to home (for example, at Trinity Health Grand Rapids or Metro Health) before going home.

Extra Care at Home and Special Equipment

Some babies go home still needing:

  • Oxygen
  • Feeding tubes
  • Monitors or other special equipment

If your baby needs extra care:

  • The hospital team will train you on all equipment and care routines.
  • You will receive written instructions and emergency contact information.
  • Many Grand Rapids hospitals offer a chance to “room in”—sleep in the hospital with your baby for a night or two while you practice caring for them with staff nearby for support.

Community and Home Support in Grand Rapids

When you go home, your baby’s healthcare team will explain how to access:

  • Local pediatric care – your baby’s pediatrician or family doctor
  • Home visiting services (if available and within distance)
  • Early intervention and developmental follow-up programs for premature babies

In the Grand Rapids and Kent County area, additional support may include:

  • Programs through the Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health maternal and child health services
  • Local parent support groups for NICU and preterm families
  • Counseling or therapy services for parents and siblings

Ask your social worker or care manager for a list of current local resources.

Where to Get Help

If you have questions or concerns about your baby’s health or care:

  • Talk to your baby’s doctor (neonatologist or pediatrician)
  • Speak with NICU or special care nursery nurses
  • Ask to meet with a social worker or counselor
  • Contact local and state resources recommended by your hospital team

Key Points to Remember

  • It is very important to keep your baby warm and comfortable, especially in Michigan’s colder climate.
  • You are an important member of your baby’s healthcare team—ask questions and be involved in decisions.
  • If you are not sure about risks, symptoms, or infections, talk to your care manager or your baby’s doctor.
  • Infection control—especially handwashing—is critical in neonatal and special care units.
  • Premature babies are at higher risk of infections and complications, but careful monitoring, immunizations, and breastmilk can help protect them.

With the specialized neonatal care available in Grand Rapids and strong community support across West Michigan, many babies who start life in the NICU or Special Care Nursery go on to grow, thrive, and return home to their families.