The CHOC Small Baby Unit is a very special unit within our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that focuses on caring for the unique needs of the smallest and sickest babies. Designed for babies born at less than 28 weeks gestation or who weigh less than 1,000 grams, it is the only unit of its kind anywhere.

Published studies show that babies born before 28 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1,000 grams do better in a dedicated, high-volume program like ours, where the specially trained team provides guidelines-driven care. The 30-bed Small Baby Unit is designed to aid in the babies’ development with dim lighting and low noise levels.

Caring for the Needs of Babies and their Families

Because the entire Small Baby Unit staff specializes in caring for tiny, fragile babies, they can be an incredible source of strength and guidance while in the NICU. They work closely with families to help them learn about their babies and understand complex medical terminology and procedures. Our staff is by your side during the tough decisions and emotional rough patches, as well as when it comes time to celebrate special milestones and happy times. What’s more, because families with babies in the unit are going through many of the same experiences, they are able to form a bond of friendship and understanding that would be difficult to forge elsewhere.