Support services
The Texas Children's Newborn Center(s) is committed to offering parents as much help as possible in dealing with their infant's condition. Basic services - such as unlimited visiting and onsite accommodations for the duration of the child's stay - are crucial.

Other family stresses may require more extensive support, like counseling and social services. Also, parents must be prepared for the reality of caring for their infant at home after his or her release. The transition from hospital nursery to home nursery can be challenging, and most parents need help adjusting.

The family's pediatrician is involved throughout the infant's entire stay at the newborn center, and helps in planning for release and after-care requirements. Parental support can make a big difference in a family's ability to cope with the special demands of their fragile infant.

Rooming-in rooms
The rooming-in rooms at the newborn center give parents the opportunity to "try out" their home routine while still in the hospital. Parents may stay in the rooming-in facility (essentially hotel-like rooms within the newborn center) and care for their baby for a full day before discharge. A nurse visits rooming-in parents often throughout the day to see how the family is doing and offer support.

Also, a Ronald McDonald House family support area with a kitchen, library, hospitality room and twenty sleep rooms is available for parents of newborn center patients. (Rooms are assigned based on daily availability and need. Ask your nurse about this service.)