Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital

NICU Patient Area at Sharp Mary Birch
A patient area in Sharp Mary Birch's NICU, where parents are encouraged to be partners in care for their baby.

Specialty Care for Infants

Sharp Mary Birch's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) offers specialty care for little ones who need special attention. Whether your baby was born prematurely or with complications, there is no better place for your baby to grow, heal and receive high-quality medical care.

Why Choose Sharp Mary Birch for Neonatal Intensive Care?

  • Family members are encouraged to help with the baby's care routine and can personalize the baby's bed space
  • More than 130 babies are transferred to our NICU from other area hospitals each year
  • Our 61-bed level III NICU is one of the largest of its kind in Southern California
  • Parents play an integral role in decisions regarding the baby's treatment
  • Sharp Mary Birch's NICU ranks among the top four centers in the nation for NICU infection prevention
  • Technology and innovation are combined with the human touch to give at-risk babies the best start in life
  • The NICU is focused on meeting the needs of the family and now offers a new NICU Navigator program
  • Visiting hours are 22 hours per day

Neonatal Intensive Care Programs and Services

Parents of premature infants are also provided the opportunity to participate in Kangaroo Care — a form of skin-to-skin contact that encourages bonding, interaction and cuddling between parents and small babies. In addition to the emotional and psychological benefits of Kangaroo Care, the technique has also been shown to encourage breastfeeding, help with a restful sleep state and promote an early hospital release for premature infants.

Sharp Mary Birch's NICU Team

The multidisciplinary NICU team includes:

  • Lactation specialists
  • Neonatal nurse practitioners
  • Nurses
  • Nutritionists
  • Occupational and physical therapists
  • Physicians
  • Respiratory care practitioners
  • Social workers

NICU Location

Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns
3003 Health Center Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
Get directions

Take a virtual tour of Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns.

For More Neonatal Intensive Care Information

At Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns, we are proud to be San Diego's only hospital dedicated to women's care. To learn more, please call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277). For help choosing the Sharp-affiliated doctor who is right for you, please call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277) or search for a San Diego OBGYN.