Getting services for your baby after the NICU

NICU nurse assisting a new mother with smartphone apps for baby care and services after NICU discharge, highlighting important resources for families transitioning from neonatal care

Key Points

Babies who were born early or with certain medical conditions may be more likely to experience developmental delays.

Early intervention programs provide services for babies and children who have or who are likely to have developmental delays.

Early intervention programs often include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

If you’re worried about your baby’s development, talk to their healthcare provider and they can provide additional resources if needed.

What are developmental milestones?

Developmental milestones are things that most babies and children can do by a certain age. Examples include smiling at people, making eye contact, rolling over, and taking a first step. These milestones are skills that babies and children develop as they grow.

Every baby is different, and babies may reach the milestones at different ages. For example, on average babies learn to walk by their first birthday. But some babies may walk as early as nine months or as late as 18 months. All these ages for walking are normal.

Find out if your neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has a developmental follow-up program. This program can help make sure your baby is meeting their milestones. If your NICU doesn’t have one, check with your baby’s provider about other programs that offer the same kind of help.

Babies who were born early or with certain medical conditions may be more likely to experience developmental delays. You know your baby best. Talk to your baby’s healthcare provider if you’re worried about your baby’s development. They can provide additional resources if needed.

What are early intervention programs?

These are programs that provide services for babies and children who have or who are likely to have developmental delays. For example, a baby may have a developmental delay if they can’t roll over or sit up by a certain age.

Early intervention programs often include:

  • physical therapy — A therapy that helps the baby improve their muscle strength and coordination.
  • occupational therapy — A therapy that helps babies develop skills in moving their arms and legs, feeding and swallowing, and bonding. These skills will help the baby grow and develop in healthy ways.
  • speech therapy — A therapy used to help the baby with speech and language problems. This is often used to help newborns with feeding problems.

You or your baby’s provider can request additional services to check for developmental delays.

What happens if your child is eligible for services?

If your baby is eligible for these services, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is created. This plan is designed to meet the specific needs of your baby and family. Someone may come to your home or you may take your baby outside the home to get these services.

In an early intervention program, the family and the service providers work together. The goal is to give the child the best possible start in life.

Last reviewed: April 2025