Barnsley Neonatal Unit

07/09/2026

Neonatal Unit word of the Week: Sats

“Sats are looking good.”

“Their sats have dropped a little.”

You may hear the neonatal team talking about your baby’s “sats”. But what are they?

Sats is short for oxygen saturation. It tells us how much of the haemoglobin in your baby’s blood is carrying oxygen.

Sats are usually monitored using a small sensor placed around your baby’s hand or foot. You may see the reading displayed as a percentage on the monitor beside them.

Sometimes the monitor will alarm if your baby’s sats move outside the limits set for them. The neonatal team will assess your baby and respond as needed.

It can be tempting to spend lots of time watching the numbers on the monitor, but remember, your neonatal team is watching your baby, not just the numbers.

If you’re ever unsure about what you’re seeing on your baby’s monitor, please ask a member of the neonatal team.

04/09/2026

☀️ 💜 Our August NNU babies 💜☀️

04/09/2026

💜Introducing our Barnsley Neonatal Unit Padlet 💜

We’re excited to share a new resource created especially for parents and families on our Neonatal Unit.

Having a baby who needs neonatal care can bring lots of questions and unfamiliar information. Our new Padlet brings useful information and trusted resources together in one easy to access place, personalised specifically to our unit.

There’s plenty to explore, but please don’t feel you need to read everything at once. Dip in and out, explore what feels relevant to your family and come back whenever you need it.

https://padlet.com/robynthomson2/barnsley-neonatal-unit-yr5m0ds6gyayrbrm

We hope this resource helps our families feel more informed, involved and supported throughout their neonatal journey.

Supporting you and your baby every step of the way.

Welcome to Barnsley Neonatal UnitThis Padlet has been created to support you and your family throughout your neonatal journey.There is lots of information here, but please don’t feel you need to read it all at once. Explore the sections that are helpful to you now and come back to the rest wheneve...

03/09/2026

Let’s Talk About Embrace - Yorkshire & Humber Infant & Children’s Transport Service 🚑

Some neonatal families may hear the name Embrace during their baby’s hospital stay, particularly if their baby needs to be transferred to another hospital for specialist care.

But what exactly is Embrace?

Embrace is a specialist transport service for critically ill infants and children across Yorkshire and the Humber. The team provides specialist care during transfers between hospitals, including for premature and poorly newborn babies who need neonatal care.

A transfer might be needed because a baby requires specialist treatment, surgery or a different level of neonatal care that isn’t available at the hospital they’re currently in. Babies may also be transferred between units as their condition and care needs change.

The Embrace team uses specially equipped transport and trained healthcare professionals so that babies can continue to receive the care and monitoring they need throughout their journey.

Have you had experience with the Embrace Transport Team? Maybe moving closer to home or moving to a specialist unit? Would love to see your photos 💜

01/09/2026

🎒💜 From Tiny Beginnings to Big School.. Starting School This September 💜🎒

September is here, and for some of our neonatal families, it marks a milestone that may once have felt a very long way away…

Their preterm baby is starting school. 🥹

From incubators, monitors and neonatal units to school uniforms, book bags and that very first walk through the classroom door, it can be an incredibly emotional moment.

To our Barnsley neonatal graduates starting school this September…

We would LOVE to celebrate you!

If you’re comfortable doing so, share a photo in the comments of your little neonatal graduate on their first day of school. 🥰🎒

Whether your neonatal journey was four, five or more years ago, you’ll always be part of our neonatal community.

Good luck to every one of our little graduates starting their next big adventure. 💜🌈

From the neonatal unit to their first day at school… just look how far they’ve come. 🥹

31/08/2026

Grace now home with mummy and daddy 🩷

31/08/2026

Owen discharged from us last week 🩵

31/08/2026

Sweet little Olivia discharged home 🩷

31/08/2026

💜 Wow, what an amazing response! 💜

We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown towards our Amazon Wishlist that we shared last week.

A huge thank you to everyone who has purchased and donated items. We are incredibly grateful for every single contribution. 🥰

These items will be put to such good use and will make a real difference to the babies and families spending time on our neonatal unit, bringing a little extra comfort and support when they need it most.

Thank you for thinking of our families and for continuing to support Barnsley Neonatal Unit. It really does mean so much to us. 💜

31/08/2026

Neonatal Unit Word of the Week: Jaundice 💛

You may hear the word “jaundice” while your baby is on the neonatal unit. But what does it mean?

Jaundice is when a baby’s skin and the whites of their eyes can look yellow. This happens because of a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood.

Jaundice is common in newborn babies, particularly those who are born prematurely, as their liver is still developing.

Your baby’s bilirubin level may be checked by a blood test.

Some babies need phototherapy, where they spend time under a special blue light which helps their body get rid of the bilirubin.

Your neonatal team will monitor your baby and let you know if any treatment is needed.

Remember: Every baby is different. If you have questions about your baby’s jaundice or treatment, speak to your neonatal team.