Understanding the SCBU and NICU: A Lifeline for Newborns in Need

We know it's something no parent wants to think about — but sometimes, babies need a little extra support after birth. If your baby needs specialised care, they might spend time in a Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) or a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

It can be an overwhelming time — full of medical terms, machines, and uncertainty. But it’s also a place full of hope, expertise, and people who care deeply about helping your baby thrive.

Let’s gently walk through what SCBU and NICU actually mean, what might happen if your baby needs to go there, and how you’ll be supported along the way.

🍼 What Is SCBU?

SCBU stands for Special Care Baby Unit. It’s for babies who need a little more help, but not intensive care. Your baby might go to SCBU if they:

• Are born a little early (typically 32–37 weeks)

• Need help with feeding or maintaining temperature

• Need oxygen or light therapy

• Are recovering after treatment

Some babies only stay for a few hours, others a few days or longer. But SCBU is designed to support babies who are stable and just need time and care to grow stronger.

🩺 What Is NICU?

NICU is the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It’s for babies who need specialist, intensive support — like those born very prematurely (before 32 weeks), or with medical complications.

In the NICU, your baby will have round-the-clock monitoring, and may be connected to:

• Breathing machines (like CPAP or ventilation)

• Feeding tubes

• Monitors tracking heart rate, oxygen, and temperature

It might look daunting, but NICU staff are experts in newborn care. They’ll explain everything, answer your questions, and do all they can to support you, not just your baby.

It’s OK to Feel All the Feelings

Even if your baby’s stay in SCBU or NICU is expected, it can still be a huge emotional rollercoaster. Parents often describe feeling:

• Shock or grief over a different birth experience

• Guilt (which doesn’t belong to you, we promise!)

• Anxiety about bonding or “missing out”

But here’s the truth: you are still your baby’s parent, and your bond is still being built — even through wires and incubators.

Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin cuddles), expressing milk, reading to your baby, and simply being there all play a powerful role.

🎓 Learn More in The Birth & Baby Academy about SCBU and NICU

Inside our course, we talk about what might happen if your baby needs extra support after birth — so you feel informed, empowered, and less blindsided.

We cover:

• What SCBU and NICU care involves

• How to care for your baby in hospital

• Feeding a baby who’s in NICU

• Looking after your wellbeing too

No scary stories, no overwhelm — just facts, support, and preparation - and importantly includes lived experience.

My daughter Ophelia - born at 33+4 and spent 4 weeks in SCBU

Nobody hopes for a stay in NICU or SCBU, but knowing what to expect can make a huge difference.

If your baby needs extra support, you won’t be alone. And if you're expecting and want to feel prepared for all kinds of journeys — the calm ones, the unexpected ones, and everything in between — we’re here for you.

✨ Check out The Birth & Baby Academy for real-world antenatal education that includes what happens after the birth, too.