Newborn/NICU Visitation Guidelines

Children's of Mississippi provides a family-friendly environment at its newborn facilities. Our medical staff encourages your visitation and participation.

We are committed to accommodating the special needs of your baby and your family. The following guidelines have been developed to provide the best care for your baby while ensuring a safe, efficient and orderly visit. 

A complete packet of visitation information will be given to the mother upon her admittance to the hospital.

Visitors 

• Mothers who deliver at UMMC will be banded with a hospital ID band that matches her baby’s band. This ID band should be worn by the mother until her baby is discharged. Mother will need another form of identification if she does not have her ID band. 
• Read the current visiting hours policy here.

Quiet hour 

"Quiet time" is observed at 3:30-4:30 a.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. each day to give our patients time for uninterrupted rest. Calls and visits should be limited so babies can receive skin-on-skin time or special holding/bonding time.

Information about NICU babies 

Staff is available to provide parents or their designee with updates about their babies. An ID number is required before the caller can be connected to the baby's nurse or provider. 

NICU - (601) 815-7100
Long distance/toll free - 1-800-826-9799 
Waiting room - (601) 815-7143

Phones 

Cell phone conversations are prohibited in the Newborn Center, and phones should be kept on silent or vibe mode. Please wash your hands before touching your baby after handling your phone. We ask that you not handle your cell phone while holding your baby. 

Infection control 

Visitors must wash their hands up to above the elbows for three minutes with the soap provided upon entering a nursery. Alcohol foam is provided at each baby's bedside. Use the foam whenever you touch anything other than your baby or their station, such as your face, mouth, chair, etc. 

Wear a gown over your clothing while you hold your baby. 

Photographs 

Parents who want to take pictures of their baby must check with the nurse on duty. A photograph consent form must be signed prior to taking pictures. 

Parking 

Parking Garage C is closest to the NICU in Sanderson Tower. Parking Garage B is the closest to the NICU in Wiser Hospital. Visitors may park in either garage. Parking tickets will be validated by the front desk staff for parents and legal guardians only.

Three-day, weekly and monthly discounted parking pass can be purchased from 5:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Business Office (first floor of University Hospital) and Batson Tower. They can be purchased 24 hours/7 days a week at Wiser Registration Office (room W029-A). Passes also can be purchased in the Pediatric Emergency Department after hours.  

Free parking for the hospitals is available at Veterans Memorial Stadium across the street from the main entrance to University Hospital (North State Street). A free shuttle bus runs from the stadium lot to campus.

• Learn more about parking at UMMC.

Social workers

Social workers are available for Wiser and Sanderson Tower. They are especially helpful in dealing with the stress of having a sick baby.