​Special Care Nursery

When your baby needs extra care, our Special Care Nursery (Level II NICU) provides compassionate, specialized support for your baby and your family. We care for babies born at 32 weeks of gestation or later who need additional monitoring, treatment, or support before going home.

Through our affiliation with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Washington Health operates a nine-bed Level II NICU for babies with special medical needs. UCSF neonatal and pediatric specialists work alongside our multidisciplinary team to provide coordinated, comprehensive care for your baby.

We’re also here to support you during your baby’s stay and help you feel prepared for the transition home:

• Stay close to your baby: Parents may be able to stay in the hospital with their baby, based on room availability, to support bonding and feeding.
• Support for mothers: Mothers receive meal vouchers during their stay.
• Feeding support: As a Baby-Friendly designated hospital, we support your feeding choices and encourage breastfeeding. Lactation support and breast pumps are available when needed.
• Nutrition for your baby: Human donor milk is available when needed to help meet your baby’s nutritional needs.
• Preparing for home: Before discharge, we offer rooming-in opportunities so you can practice caring for your baby and feel more comfortable and confident when it’s time to go home.

Our team is here to support your baby and your family throughout your stay, from the first days of specialized care through the transition home.