The Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is at the heart of St. Mary’s Children's Hospital.

First, we want to congratulate you on the birth of your baby. We know having a baby admitted to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit is very stressful and upsetting to you and your family.

Our staff wants to support you, offer our extensive knowledge and ease your mind during what can be a difficult time. We are committed to giving your infant the very best in skilled and nurturing care.

As the only Level III intensive care facility

for newborns in Minnesota north

of the Twin Cities/St. Cloud, we are able to care for babies weighing less than a pound and as early as six months into pregnancy.

Hospitals from as far away as Ironwood in Michigan and International Falls and Red Lake in Minnesota have sent
their critically ill newborns to us for care via helicopter transport. A two-person medical team from our NICU is dispatched with the helicopter to begin treating premature or sick babies during the transport.

The SMDC Foundation is raising $2.5 million to renovate the NICU to make it a more welcoming and home-like place for our smallest patients and their families.

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Learn more about NICU services