See Thrush

Gaseous bodily waste product transported via the bloodstream and exhaled by the lungs

A computer-controlled x-ray machine capable of capturing cross-section images of body tissues.

A tube used to put fluid into the baby’s body, or to drain excessive fluids from the body.

Applying to the structure and functions of the brain

Each human body cell has 46 chromosomes, 23 pairs. Chromosomes are the genetic blueprint containing all the information making each human unique

Your rights as a health care consumer. Also supports families who wish to make a complaint about services they received.

The first breast milk produced after the birth of the baby. It is thick and yellowish in colour, and high in protein and antibodies.

An additional feed of either expressed breast milk or formula milk, after the baby has had a feed from the breast

Keeps the air sacs in the lungs inflated when baby breathes out, this eases the work of breathing

Loss of body fluids. Due to vomiting, sweating caused by overheating or diarrhoea.

A solution of sugar given intravenously (through an IV) to maintain or raise the level of sugar in the blood

Health professional who supports the nutritional wellbeing of mother and child through assessment and education.

Expressed breast milk

The use of ultrasound to examine the structure of the heart. The ultrasound waves are directed at the heart through the chest, with the findings recorded graphically on an echo cardiogram.

Essential substances found in everyone’s body which are electrically charged and give solutions such as blood or plasma the ability to conduct electric current. A balance of electrolytes is important. Dehydration causes an imbalance and needs treatment with electrolytes.

A plastic tube passed through the baby’s nose or mouth into the windpipe (trachea) and connected to a ventilator (respirator).

A position in which baby lies with straight arms and legs

Removal of a tube from the trachea (airway) which is attached to a ventilator.

The large soft spot on the top, and the smaller one on the back of the baby’s head. They close within 12 to 18 months

Special preparations of cow’s milk or soya bean, modified to closely resemble the chemical composition of human breast milk.

Positioning support which flexes babies legs into a frog position while covering their body and legs with your hands as a way to calm them through close touch when they are distressed. 

Feedings through a tube inserted through the mouth or nose that goes straight to the stomach.

An opening in the abdominal wall, created through surgery, to provide nutrition straight to the stomach when the oesophagus is injured or blocked, or to provide proper drainage after abdominal surgery is performed. 

A natural sugar which is a main source of energy for the body

A feeling of deep sadness often linked to loss. Grief and loss often experienced in neonatal journeys can be caused by the loss of a full term pregnancy, the loss of breastfeeding or the loss of the healthy baby one had dreamed for

Measurement of the maximum distance around the baby’s head.

See Ultrasound.

Characteristics transmitted from one generation to another in genes on the chromosomes.

The colouring of red blood cells, carrying oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.

A small prick in the baby’s heel, made so a blood sample can be obtained for testing usually for blood gases or blood glucose levels

Breast milk of a much higher fat content which follows the let-down reflex once baby has been suckling for a few moments.

Special enclosed bed for a new born in which temperature, oxygen, and humidity can be controlled.

The passing of a small plastic tube through the mouth into the baby’s trachea as a part of the ventilation process

The name for the area where babies are nursed on their own, in case they pass on their contagious infections to other babies or because they need protecting as they are more fragile

Into the vein.

The yellow colour of a baby’s skin caused by raised bilirubin in the blood.

The practise of skin-to-skin cuddling. Once babies are well enough, they can be placed on their parent’s chest, usually under their clothes, so the baby gets skin-to-skin contact and can hear the parent’s heartbeat. Talking or reading while kangaroo cuddling is especially good as the vibrations through the chest assist with bonding and relaxation. 

The body’s process of making breast milk.

The soft downy hair all over the body that a lot of premature babies are born with. This falls out after a short while.

Amniotic fluid.

An IV that generally lasts for a long time. It is positioned in a central vein and has less likelihood of being infected.

A greenish-black, mucus-like substance present in the intestines of new-born babies. This is usually the first bowel motion after birth.

Inhalation or breathing in by a foetus of amniotic fluid that has meconium in it. Caused when a foetus becomes stressed prior to delivery. The sticky material irritates and partially blocks the airways causing breathing difficulties during the newly-born period.

MRI is a painless test used to view the inside of the body without using x-rays. It uses a large magnet, safe low energy radio waves and a computer, to produce two or three-dimensional pictures.

The ability to flex or be in a curled up position. This position for premature babies helps them to reserve energy. High tone is tight muscles, low tone is floppy muscles.

One or more (usually referring to the number of babies born at the same time to one mother).

Sound of turbulent blood flow in heart or blood vessel.

No abnormalities detected. Often seen in babies notes after tests.

A very thin flexible tube that can be passed through a nostril or by the mouth, to the stomach via the throat. Babies can be either tube-fed or have the contents of their stomach checked by aspirating.

New born, describing the first 28 days of life (although many babies are in the Unit for longer than 28 days).

A doctor who is specially trained in the care of sick and premature new borns.

Used for feeding babies too young to suck milk from the breast or a bottle.

Health professional who can provide therapy to support the physical, emotional and sensory development of a neonatal baby. This support can be in the home after discharge if needed.

A tube passed through the mouth, via the oesophagus into the baby’s stomach for feeding or suction purposes

A gas making up about 21% of the air we breathe. Some babies who have breathing difficulties may need more oxygen than is in the air. It is measured in percentages and in litres per minute.

A typical situation in premature babies where the fetal blood vessel which links the aorta and the pulmonary artery does not close following birth.

Treatment for jaundice which uses ultra-violet or halogen light directed at the baby in the incubator. Treatment usually lasts for several days

A leak of air out of baby’s lungs, but still within the chest cavity. This can press on the lungs and will usually require draining away outside the body through a chest tube

Feeling sad, useless, helpless, overwhelmed or anxious for longer than a month, which can make it hard to bond with baby. Affects 15% of new mothers, possibly more in those with premature or unwell babies. Let your health professional know if you are experiencing low feelings, as help is available.

A monitor which measures the amount of oxygen in the baby’s blood stream. It is usually fixed to the foot or the hand. It has a red light.

The fluid component of blood in which the blood cells are suspended.

A series of actions which happen automatically. Some reflexes like moro reflex; the reaction to being startled can be present from 28 weeks gestation. Reflexes show the maturity of the central nervous system. Rooting reflex, the response to something in the mouth is not fully developed until around 36 weeks which is why babies who are born prematurely may have an immature ability to breast feed.

A machine (also known as a Ventilator) which regularly pumps air in and out of the lungs when baby cannot breathe for themselves

Usually baby’s lungs are kept open by a chemical, called surfactant, which everyone has in their lungs. Some babies have less surfactant and the alveoli (small air sacs in the lung) start to close up, making it really hard for baby to breathe. The baby develops RDS, and has increasing difficulty in breathing. Babies are ventilated and may be given artificial surfactant.

The back of the eye where blood-vessels supplying the light-sensitive cells are located

The time when you stay overnight at the hospital and have total care of your baby just prior to coming home.

The use of a drug which quietens the baby down, promoting less movement and a placid state of being. This is sometimes done to babies who are being ventilated, so they don’t fight the ventilator and become more stressed.

The ability to regulate ones own behaviour. Babies around 40 weeks gestation do this through sucking thumbs, grasping objects or hand clasping to calm or sooth them selves. A preterm baby will require extra environmental supports while the skill to self regulate develops. This includes ‘frogging’, providing something to suck on, or ‘nesting’.

An infection in the bloodstream affecting the whole body.

A passage made artificially, between two areas of the body, usually placed to drain liquid.

Babies born weighing a lot less than other babies of the same gestation at birth

Health professional who provides information and resources to support the social needs of a family, including assessment for access to financial support.

A condition in which the eye muscles can’t hold both eyes’ focus to look in the same direction. This gives a cross-eyed look which is more noticeable when the baby is tired.

Free from contamination by living microbes (bugs).

(1) developmental encouragement given to the baby, either by talking, singing, reading or having things to look at.

(2) Physical encouragement to continue breathing, such as tickling or a gentle prod when an Apnoea occurs

(1) Stitches for holding together surgical incisions.

(2) Lines in a baby’s skull.

Compounds which line the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs reducing surface tension and thereby preventing lung collapse on breathing out (expiration). Artificial or synthetic surfactant is now available for those infants who have difficulty producing their own shortly after birth. It is given to babies through the ventilator. Surfactants have names like Curosurf

An apparatus for injecting into, or withdrawing fluids from, the body.

Rapid heart rate, above 170 beats per minute

Rapid breathing rate, over 60 breaths per minute.

A bed that has a warmed gel mattress to help babies maintain their temperature. Babies also have bedding as they would in a cot.

A mixture of sugar, minerals, vitamins and proteins given via IV

Urinary tract infection.

A fetal ultrasound, or sonogram, is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of a baby in the uterus. These images can help your health care provider evaluate your baby’s growth and development and determine how your pregnancy is progressing.

A blood vessel which carries de-oxygenated blood from the boby to the heart, and then the lungs.

(1) A tiny chamber, as in those of the heart.

(2) Tiny chambers in the middle of the brain where cerebrospinal fluid is created.