Visitor Information

We know everyone is very excited to meet Cohen, and we feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who want to see him. However, he is in a very fragile state right now and the NICU has guidelines regarding who can visit and such to help protect the tiny babies from getting sick. Cohen is considered a Micro-Preemie (less than 3lbs), so he is in the most protected group of babies. If you fall into one of the categories below, we ask that you please wait until you are no longer in the category before asking to see him. We really are not wanting to be mean or prevent anyone from seeing him, we just can't risk someone bringing Cohen a virus...and this includes us as well! Once he starts to get bigger, his restrictions will change and he will be able to have more and more visitors.

Sick/Illness Guidelines:

• During the cold and flu season, children under 18 are not allowed, unless they are the parents. However, across the hall is a room for kids to play and they have TV, games, and lots of fun stuff to do if you have kids and want to visit. On Wednesday nights there is a free dinner and a movie :)
• Anyone who has a cold, or cold symptoms or any illnesses cannot come into the NICU (parents included), cough, sniffles, runny nose, etc.
• If you have been around someone who has the flu, you have to wait 48 hours to see if you get the flu before being allowed in the NICU
• If you have been around someone with the Chickenpox or any other contagious disease, you must wait the entire incubation period before being allowed to visit.

Other general guidelines:

• The most important thing to do to keep Cohen safe and healthy is to wash your hands when you FIRST come in the door. Even though you may not hold him it is important to wash your hands when you come in the room so you don't leave any germs behind on something you may have touched. At Sacred Heart, instead of using soap and water, there are two dispensers of an antibacterial mixture that works better than soap and water. It is on the right hand side when you first walk into the NICU
• Flowers are not allowed in the nursery. If you bring some, they will hold them up front for me until we can take them home.
• Only two visitors are allowed with Cohen at one time. And at least one of the visitors must be a parent. If you come in a group, please realize that it will be a one at a time process!
• There are no visitors allowed (unless its a breastfeeding mother) during shift change. Shift change occurs twice a day 6:30am-7:30am and 6:30pm and 7:30pm.
• Cohen can have blankets and stuffed animals in and around his station! The more it feels like home and not a hosptial, the better babies do. (Babies R Us, here I come :) )
• Cohen is located in the "Far East" Bed 46B (I think...)

We hope the guidelines do not discourage anyone from wanting to visit. We think it is really important that Cohen feel how loved and supported he is. However, the last thing we want is for him to get sick...this could set him back weeks in progress! If you have any questions, or are questioning if you should visit or not, please do not hesitate to call us!