Visitation policy update: At this time, only adults with wristbands will be allowed in the NICU, and siblings will not be permitted. Thank you for understanding.

About the Sharp Mary Birch NICU.

Sharp Mary Birch's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is known worldwide for excellent care, and is the largest unit of its kind in California. As a Level III NICU, there's no better place for your baby to receive specialized, high-quality medical care.

A team approach to healing our littlest patients.

At Sharp Mary Birch, we work together to help your baby heal. Our specialized care team includes:

• Doctors
• Lactation specialists
• Neonatal nurse practitioners
• Nurses
• Nutritionists
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Research specialists
• Respiratory care practitioners
• Social workers.

Our caregivers are focused on your family's care. This means assistance with feeding, private rooms where parents can take an active role in care and informational sessions so you know what your baby needs.

A reputation you can count on.

There's a reason why more than 130 babies are transferred to our NICU from other area hospitals each year. We rank among the top four centers in the nation for NICU infection prevention, and we care for up to 84 infants at a time.

Our unique programs keep us at the top of our field:

• Neonatal Research Institute
  A team of caregivers provides the latest scientific evidence on the best ways to care for our newborns.
• Neurologic Intensive Care Nursery
  Specialized state-of-the-art care for newborns who may require advanced neurologic assessment and care.
• Developmental Care Program
  Technology and innovation combine with human touch to give at-risk babies the best start in life.
• Guiding parents throughout the NICU experience
  Read our specialized guide for NICU parents. Disable your browser's pop-up blocker in order to view the guide. En Español.
• Nemeth NICU Follow-Up Clinic
  Ongoing specialized follow-up care and assessments promotes growth for preterm babies after leaving the NICU. 

Family first, every time.

Caring for a NICU baby takes more than a team of compassionate clinicians — it takes you. That's why we involve family every step of the way.

Visiting hours are 22 hours per day, and we encourage parents to participate in skin-to-skin contact that encourages bonding, interaction and cuddling.

Share your story.

Our support of each NICU family continues far beyond the day they graduate. Please share your NICU to NOW story, including your NICU graduate's growth, milestones and accomplishments with the Sharp Mary Birch NICU community.