Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

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Care for our youngest patients

When your newborn is extremely premature, critically ill or needs surgical intervention, they are in the very best hands with our expert team. Marshfield Children's Hospital has the only NICU connected to a dedicated children's hospital in central and northern Wisconsin.

Our Level III NICU has cared for thousands of high-risk infants from 24-42 weeks gestational-age for more than 50 years. While technology and medical knowledge has changed over the years, one thing that remains constant is how our dedicated staff provide care beyond treatment.


Specialized services and personalized care

Our highly experienced team of medical professionals includes board-certified neonatologists, specialized neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists and dietitians who are experts in providing compassionate care for infants and their families.

Your baby's care team may include:

  • Social workers
  • Child Life specialists
  • Health unit coordinators
  • Music therapists

Cutting-edge technology

Our 24-bed NICU is equipped with the latest advancements in medical technology to provide innovative care. We have dedicated on-site laboratory and imaging that work with our medical professionals for complex diagnoses, advanced treatments and surgery. The 24/7 neonatal transport team provides ground and air transport for babies from all over the state and region.

A Level III designation is reserved for only those NICU's that meet the strict criteria of the Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care.

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NICVIEW for when you're away

When you have to return to work or home, Marshfield Children's Hospital provides NICVIEW, a virtual view of NICU. NICVIEW gives you a real-time look at your baby on your phone or computer while you're away from the hospital room.

Breast milk donations

Some babies at our NICU receive donor breast milk from a milk bank. Donated breast milk is a way for babies to get the nutrition they need.

You can help our youngest patients. Marshfield Medical Center's breast milk depot accepts breast milk donations that help NICU babies in need across the country.

Amaya defies the odds

At just shy of 27 weeks pregnant, Amaya’s mom suddenly developed HELLP syndrome and severe preeclamsia. Physicians at Marshfield Children’s Hospital performed an emergency delivery and Amaya was born weighing just 1 pound, 14 ounces.

Her premature birth put her at risk for developmental delays, visual impairments and possible cystic fibrosis or cerebral palsy. Amaya spent 83 days in the NICU and was supported by specialized equipment until she was strong enough to go home.

Amaya has defied the odds and today is a healthy, kind-hearted and bright six-year-old.   She loves spending time with her family, learning at school and telling stories. Amaya shares her gentle nature and a smile with everyone she meets.

Visiting the NICU

Visitor guidelines

Parents and their designated family members are permitted to visit. Your NICU staff answer questions about visiting guidelines.

NICU visitor guidelines:

  • Parents and four individuals, for a total of six visitors per patient (same visitors throughout duration of NICU stay)
  • A maximum of two visitors at the bedside at a time
  • Visitors must be free of illness
  • Visitors must be 18 years and older

Babies in the NICU easily "catch" illnesses brought in by visitors.

To protect your baby, we cannot allow visitors who are sick or who have been exposed to certain diseases.

Family and friends should not visit babies in NICU if they have:

  • Respiratory flu (seasonal or H1N1)
  • COVID-19
  • Fever
  • Strep throat
  • Coughing
  • Pink eye
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach flu
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing
  • Open sores or impetigo
  • Diarrhea
  • Cold sores (until dry and crusted over)
  • Runny nose

Some diseases are infectious before we actually shown signs of illness. Do not allow visitors who've been exposed to:

  • Measles within the last 21 days
  • Rubella/German measles within the last 23 days
  • Mumps within the last 25 days
  • Chicken pox within the last 28 days
  • Whooping cough within the last 21 days
  • COVID within the last 10 days
  • RSV within the last 8 days
  • Influenza within the last 4 days