Well-Baby Nursery

Denver Health delivers more than 4,000 babies every year, which accounts for about one-third of all Denver babies. Our dedicated group of pediatricians, pediatric hospitalists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners specializes in the care of the newborn baby. Working closely alongside a team of experienced nurses, midwives, and doulas, our multidisciplinary group of pediatric providers offer the support both you and your baby need as you begin your lives together. We encourage breastfeeding and have certified lactation consultants available to support you and answer any questions you may have. 

Ensuring that newborns and families are provided with the time and space to get to know one another is always a priority at Denver Health. We have 32 large private rooms and a family-friendly lounge so that you and your loved ones can focus on bonding with your baby. Welcoming a new baby is one of life's most precious moments. We invite you to watch our virtual tour video or join us for an in-person tour of the maternity and pregnancy services at Denver Health.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

NICU baby

Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most precious moments. Sometimes newborns arrive early or have special medical needs. When this happens, babies are transferred to Denver Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), adjacent to Labor and Delivery. The NICU is designed for newborns in need of intensive medical care following birth. We have a Level 3 NICU, meaning we care for babies born at less than 32 weeks' gestation, as well as babies born with critical illness.

Our multidisciplinary team includes neonatologists (pediatricians with special training in the care of premature and seriously ill newborns), neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal physician assistants, neonatal hospitalists, nurses with neonatal expertise and specialized health professionals with training in developmentally appropriate newborn care.

There are over 16 private rooms and additional rooms to accommodate multiples. Each room has the latest technology, and parents can room-in with their babies. The Robin’s Nest is located on the unit for families to unwind, eat, or meet other NICU families. At Denver Health, every baby receives the personalized attention he or she needs to heal, grow and transition home safely.

Pediatric Inpatient Unit

pediatric inpatient unit

Our Inpatient Pediatric Unit provides consistent, supportive, and nurturing family-centered care. Children may require hospitalization for a wide range of illnesses, surgical needs, and injuries. Together, our teams are equipped to provide the best possible care for your child, close to home. Our pediatric care meets the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of our patients and their families.

The team consists of pediatric hospitalists and pediatricians who specialize in the care of hospitalized children of all ages. The team works closely alongside a team of experienced pediatric nurses, pediatric pharmacists and many other pediatric specialties. In the event your child has a more serious issue that requires highly specialized care, we share the unit with our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and can easily consult their services. This ensures you a treated like family and receive well-rounded care.

Our Inpatient Pediatric Unit has 20 private rooms with four additional (semi-private) double rooms.

The rooms are designed to accommodate families for overnight stays. You may use the shower in your child’s room. Your room will include a chair that extends into a single bed, along with a dining table, a rocking chair, a nightstand, and a phone.

We also ensure a child-friendly environment with two age-appropriate playrooms for kids of all ages. Children can feel right at home doing arts and crafts, building towers, playing Uno, and more. Additional child friendly activities include bedside video gaming systems (Wii, PlayStation, Xbox, VR), musical experiences, pet therapy, developmentally appropriate toys, and an in-house library.

Meals

We have in-room options for the patient and one guest meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Denver Health offers a variety of healthy dining options to our patients, staff and visitors. 

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

A child plays with toysOur Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) provides children of all ages with the highest level of medical care. The PICU provides advanced monitoring and comprehensive care for children facing critical illness or injury and those with complex medical needs.

Our close-nit physicians, nurses, and allied medical care professionals have the knowledge, skill and judgment to quickly assess and treat your child so they can achieve the best outcomes possible from critical illness or injury. You work closely with our team, and your voice matters in the care provided to your child.

We consider parents and family members to be the most important members of a child's care team. We encourage you to partner in your child's care as much as you are comfortable. We also encourage communication between parents, doctors, nurses and medical team.

Our PICU is designed with the family in mind. In addition to creating a child-friendly environment, there are special waiting and resting areas for families so you can stay close by while your child is with us. We have up to 10 private PICU rooms and two private sleep rooms giving the caregivers the space they need to rest. The PICU shares space with our inpatient pediatric unit, which means you will still see the same medical staff, share the same child and family necessities, and most families say it feels more personable.

Preparing Your Child for an Inpatient Hospital Visit

Whether this is your child's first hospital stay or one of many, the experience can be stressful, even in the best of circumstances. Knowing what to expect can help both you and your child adjust more quickly. These tips can help you prepare your child for their visit, so they feel more comfortable about their upcoming hospital stay. 

  • Emphasize the hospital stay is temporary.  
  • Reassure your child that you will stay with them overnight. 
  • Pack together for the hospital stay. Let your child choose their own pajamas and a personal item to bring. 
  • Point out similarities between the hospital and home such as regular meals, chances to play and having one's own bed. 
  • Include your entire family in one of your "pre-hospital" talks. 
  • Borrow a library book that describes a hospital stay and read it with your child. Two books we recommend are The Berenstain Bears: Hospital Friends and Franklin Goes to the Hospital. 
  • Check out our resources on how to prepare your child for surgery/anesthesia. 

Our Child Life staff is available to answer your questions about helping your child prepare for hospitalization or surgery. A child life specialist can explain what will happen, and why, in terms your child will understand. This kind of preparation can be good for you and your child, as well as for any siblings.  

Please call 303-602-5437 or email ChildLife@dhha.org for more information. 

For Inpatient Visits at the Hospital

Visitors of all types play an active and essential role in a patient’s health care journey and across the continuum of care. The following visitor guidelines are in place. 

In addition to siblings, patients can have up to three visitors during visiting hours. However, only legal guardians are allowed during quiet hours from 1:00-2:30 p.m. 

Siblings: We encourage a family presence at your child’s bedside and welcome sibling visitors – no matter the age. 

  • All minors under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult visitor (18 years or older) so the care of these visitors does not distract from the patient’s care at the bedside. 

Our Partnerships

All Denver Health physicians hold faculty appointments at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and our attendings play an active role in medical research and educating future generations as our residents strengthen and grow their medical knowledge. Our residents have completed schooling earning their MD (medical doctor) and are continuing their education in the subspecialty of pediatrics.