A nurse who takes care of babies is specifically titled based on the clinical setting and the infant’s age or condition. The most accurate term is a Neonatal Nurse, who cares for newborns, typically within the first 28 days of life, often in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). For broader infant care, a Pediatric Nurse is the general title.
To precisely identify a nurse who takes care of babies, consider these specialized roles:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse: Manages critically ill or premature newborns. Advanced practitioners here may be Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs).
- Labor & Delivery Nurse: Provides immediate care to the newborn in the delivery room, performing initial assessments and stabilization.
- Postpartum or Well-Baby Nursery Nurse: Focuses on healthy newborns, assisting with feeding, screenings, and parent education during the short hospital stay.
Therefore, while “pediatric nurse” is a correct umbrella term, “neonatal nurse” is the most precise answer for hospital-based newborn care. The title directly reflects their specialized training in the unique pathophysiology of this vulnerable population.