Sometimes babies need a little extra help after birth, for example if they arrive early, need support with breathing, or are smaller or unwell. If this happens, our neonatal team will be there straight away to care for your baby.

Our Neonatal Unit is one of three specialist centres in Greater Manchester providing expert care for sick and premature babies. We support families from Bolton and across the region.

We know that having a baby who needs neonatal care can be an unexpected and emotional experience, and it's completely natural to feel worried, overwhelmed or unsure of what comes next. Our dedicated team is here to support you and your family every step of the way, providing expert care for your baby while listening to you, answering questions, and helping you feel involved and supported throughout your time with us.

Visiting the unit

To keep babies safe:

• Wash hands and use hand gel before entering.
• Put mobile phones on silent.
• Remove outdoor coats and hang them on the hooks provided.
• Only two people may be at the cot side at once, and one must be a parent.
• Visitors must be over 16, unless they are siblings.
• Please don't visit if you feel unwell.
• Respect the privacy of other families.

Parents may be asked to wait in the waiting room during procedures. Named visitors may be agreed in special circumstances.

Family involvement in care

We follow the Family Integrated Care (FiCare) approach, encouraging parents to be actively involved in their baby's daily care. This helps:

• Reduce stress for parents and babies
• Improve bonding
• Build confidence and prepare you for going home
• Shorten your baby's hospital stay

You will be supported to learn skills such as feeding, nappy changing, comfort care and recognising your baby's cues.

To protect babies please:

• Use alcohol gel before and after touching your baby or their space.
• After nappy changes, wash hands with soap, then apply hand gel.
• Do not dispose of fluids in sinks – use the yellow‑lidded bins.
• Ask staff for any water needed for your baby's care.
• Clean shared items (breast pumps, chairs) with provided wipes.
• Give expressed milk to staff to store safely.

Feeding support

All neonatal nurses are trained in breastfeeding and lactation support. Staff will help you:

• Start and maintain milk supply
• Hand express or use a breast pump
• Access our Infant Feeding Specialist Service for extra support

We are proudly accredited by the Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative.

Quiet time

To support babies' development, the unit has daily quiet time from 2pm–4pm.

During this period:

• Lights are lowered
• Noise is reduced
• Parents are encouraged to enjoy skin‑to‑skin (kangaroo care)

Quiet time helps babies sleep better, grow, regulate stress and stabilise vital signs.

Neonatal Outreach Team

Our Outreach Team provides follow‑up care at home after discharge. They visit between 8am–6pm (and 8am–4pm on bank holidays) and work closely with consultants, midwives, health visitors, dietitians, physiotherapists and GPs to support families.

Going home

Most babies born after around 30 weeks can begin discharge planning from about 35 weeks corrected age. Very premature or unwell babies may stay longer.

Before discharge, staff will help ensure you are confident with:

• Feeding
• Giving medicine (if needed)
• General baby care

You will need to spend several hours each day on the unit as part of preparation.
On the day of discharge, please have transport arranged for by midday.

Parent accommodation

We have three parent bedrooms for families who need to stay close to their baby. Priority is given to:

• Out‑of‑area families
• Parents of very sick babies
• Parents establishing breastfeeding
• Parents rooming‑in before discharge

Physiotherapy support

Physiotherapists help support your baby's development by monitoring movement, tone and positioning, and offering play‑based advice when your baby is stable. They focus on developmental care that mimics the womb environment and reduces stress.

For questions please email neonatalphysio@boltonft.nhs.uk.

Neonatal Physiotherapy Friends and Family Test

Support groups and helpful resources

There is lots of support available for families:

• Bolton Neonatal Unit – Special Care for Special Babies (closed Facebook group)
• Bliss – support for parents of sick or premature babies
• Dads Matter UK – support for fathers' mental health
• Spoons – neonatal family support in hospital and community
• Skin to skin and kangaroo care – Kangaroo Care is skin-to-skin contact when a baby is placed against the parent's chest.

Additional developmental resources include tummy time ideas, play positions, awake‑time activities and guidance for supporting your baby at home.