Special care nursery

Mayo Clinic Health System's Level 2 special care nursery is for babies that require observation and treatments above normal newborn nursery care but less than intensive care.

Babies in a Level 2 special care nursery sometimes need extra time and support to adapt to life outside the uterus. Health care providers will place your baby in the special care nursery if they are concerned your baby:

• Has a medical condition.
• Has a size and weight that is lower than it should be.
• Was born between 34 weeks of gestation and full term.
• Needs breathing support.
• Has special feeding needs.
• Needs special testing or evaluation.
• Needs surgery or other procedure.
• Needs antibiotic treatment or other short-term therapies.

Mayo Clinic Health System wants to make sure that you, as a new mom, have support, too, while your baby is staying in the Special Care Nursery. As long as there's room, parents can stay in the postpartum unit if they choose. Cots also may be available in the baby's room.

Talk to your baby's nurse or a social worker if you would like more information about the type of care your baby needs.

Infant monitoring system

The special care nursery uses a new camera system that offers parents and families an easy way to stay connected to their baby in the hospital. This streaming video option, a product of Angel Eye Health, provides a camera that is placed at the side of a baby's bed, and family members of your choosing can view the livestream 24/7 from anywhere with internet access.

Once parents indicate to the baby's care team that they are interested in using the system, parents will receive an email from Angel Eye Health asking them to create an account password. Once the password is created, parents can download the app and begin to view their baby. Parents also can invite other members of the family to gain this peace of mind. The account holder simply sends an invitation from the app or the website, and the family member can download the app.