Get to know what an incubator is, why babies need to be in an incubator, and whether it's necessary.

• An incubator is a medical device that simulates the environment of a mother's womb. It operates through a system that controls temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels, and is a closed system that filters the air and prevents external infection.
• The reason infants need to be placed in an incubator is to save their lives and support their condition if they are not yet ready to face the outside environment, such as premature babies, those with low birth weight, breathing problems, jaundice, or severe infections.
• The duration of incubation is not fixed and depends on the severity of the condition and the recovery of each infant. Infants are allowed out only when they can breathe independently, regulate their body temperature outside the incubator, gain weight according to standards, and have no complications.
• Care after leaving the incubator focuses on keeping the baby warm, emphasizing breastfeeding to build immunity, maintaining strict hygiene to reduce the risk of infection, and regularly attending medical appointments to monitor their development.

When your baby is born and the doctor says they need to be placed in an incubator, many parents may feel anxious and have many questions. For example, what is an incubator? Why do babies need to be incubated? How long do they stay in an incubator? And is it dangerous? This article will introduce you to infant incubators, their functions, how they are important for premature babies, why babies need to be incubated, what benefits they offer, and how many days babies need to be incubated. This article has the answers!

What is an Infant Incubator and How Does It Work?

An infant incubator is a medical device designed to simulate the environment inside the mother's womb for the care and treatment of critically ill, premature, or low-birth-weight newborns. The incubator creates a safe, precisely controlled environment, prevents infection, and allows doctors and nurses to closely monitor and treat the baby 24 hours a day.

How the Incubator Works

• Temperature and Humidity Control Sensors inside the incubator monitor and adjust the temperature to suit each baby, preventing hypothermia, as premature babies have less subcutaneous fat. Humidity is also controlled to minimize water loss through their thin and delicate skin.
• Oxygen Level Control The oxygen level inside the incubator can be adjusted to meet the baby's needs, or there may be a connection for a ventilator if the baby's lungs are not fully developed and they cannot breathe normally.
• Infection Prevention (Closed System) The incubator is a closed, transparent plastic box with an air filtration system to create a sterile environment, protecting the baby from germs, bacteria, viruses, and airborne dust.
• Reducing External Disturbances The incubator's structure minimizes noise and light from the outside, which can affect the baby's brain development and sleep.
• Monitoring and Access to the Infant The incubator has side ports for inserting hands to care for, clean, or change diapers without exposing the infant to the outside air. It also has ports for connecting IV lines, feeding tubes, and vital signs monitors for continuous monitoring.

Types of Infant Incubators

Medical infant incubators are designed in various forms to accommodate the treatment needs, criticality levels, and individual care requirements of each infant. They can be divided into three main types

Closed Incubator

This is a standard incubator with a clear plastic cover that is completely enclosed on all sides. It's a closed system with ports for inserting hands to care for the infant. It works by blowing hot air and controlling humidity through an internal air filtration system. It's suitable for premature infants who require constant body temperature control, humidity to prevent dry skin, and strict protection from external environmental pathogens.

Open Care Warmer

Also known as a Radiant Warmer, this is an infant care bed that radiates heat from above onto the baby. It has no plastic cover, allowing doctors and nurses immediate access to the infant from all directions. Suitable for critically ill newborns requiring emergency care, resuscitation, or infants needing frequent medical assessments, examinations, and procedures.

Transport Incubator

This is a small incubator designed specifically for transporting infants. It features a built-in battery backup system, ventilation fan, and oxygen tank. Its compact size and tendency to be mounted on a trolley make it ideal for transporting infants between departments within a hospital, such as from the delivery room to the NICU, or for transporting sick infants between hospitals via ambulance. This device maintains a stable and safe temperature and environment throughout the journey.

Why Do Babies Need Incubators?

Some newborns cannot immediately adapt to the environment outside the mother's womb. Therefore, doctors need to place babies in incubators to save their lives and support their condition. The main reasons are

• Premature birth Babies born before 37 weeks gestation have vital organs such as the lungs, brain, and body temperature regulation system that are not yet fully developed.
• Abnormally low birth weight Babies with low subcutaneous fat lose heat easily. Incubators help control temperature to prevent hypothermia, which can be life-threatening.
• Respiratory problems Babies with fluid in the lungs, incomplete lung function, or apnea will use incubators in conjunction with breathing machines to control oxygen levels appropriately.
• Jaundice Babies with high bilirubin levels in their blood will use incubators to help remove the yellow pigment from their bodies.
• Infection or severe illness Babies with sepsis or weakened immune systems will have incubators that act as a barrier against external pathogens.
• Post-surgery Babies who need surgery at birth require a temperature-controlled and sterile environment for close monitoring.

How long do babies need to stay in an incubator?

Parents may wonder how many days their baby needs to be in an incubator. There is no fixed timeframe for how long an infant needs to stay in an incubator; it depends on the baby's physical condition, the severity of symptoms, and their individual development. Some babies with minor issues, such as needing temperature regulation or phototherapy for jaundice, may only need to stay in an incubator for a few days. However, very premature babies, those with very low birth weight, or those with severe complications may need to stay in an incubator for several weeks or even months until their bodily systems develop and function independently.

When can a baby be taken out of the incubator?

Pediatricians will allow an infant to leave the incubator only when their body is ready and they can live in a normal environment. This is determined by the following criteria

• Normal breathing, well-functioning lungs, no apnea, and no need for a ventilator or supplemental oxygen.
• Ability to regulate body temperature; the baby can maintain their body warmth when placed in a regular crib at room temperature.
• Achieves weight gain on a scale; the baby can suckle well (breastfeeding or bottle feeding), has a functioning digestive system, and gains weight steadily. Incubator operation is usually considered when the infant's weight reaches a safe range, approximately 1,800 - 2,000 grams or more.
• There should be no complications, no infections, jaundice should be within normal limits, and vital signs such as heart rate and respiration should be stable.

What should the incubator temperature be and why?

There is no fixed temperature inside an incubator for every child, but it is adjusted to maintain the infant's skin temperature within the normal range of approximately 36.5 - 37.2 degrees Celsius. Incubators have sensors that measure the infant's skin temperature and automatically adjust the heat level.

The temperature setting varies and depends on several factors, including gestational age at birth, birth weight, age after birth (in days), and the severity of illness. Very small or very premature infants will require a higher environmental temperature than larger infants.

Why is incubator temperature control necessary?

• To compensate for low subcutaneous fat Premature or low-birth-weight infants often have insufficient subcutaneous fat, making them unable to generate and retain warmth on their own.
• To prevent hypothermia Rapid heat loss can cause the infant to become cold, leading to irregular heartbeat. Respiratory failure, shock, or death can occur.
• Conserve energy for growth. If a baby expends energy on metabolism to keep warm, they won't gain weight. Maintaining an optimal incubator temperature allows the baby to use energy and nutrients for organ development instead.
• Reduce oxygen consumption. When the baby's body is at an optimal temperature, it reduces the need for oxygen, lowers the risk of acidosis, and prevents the respiratory system from being overworked.

How to Care for Your Baby After Leaving the Incubator

Once your doctor assesses that your baby is strong enough to leave the incubator and go home, close monitoring remains crucial for their healthy development and to prevent complications. Here are some guidelines

• Maintaining Body Temperature Dress your baby in warm clothing, including hats and gloves, swaddle them to keep them warm, and adjust the room temperature to a comfortable level—not too cold—to prevent hypothermia, as babies may not yet be able to regulate their temperature well.
• Skin-to-Skin Contact (Kangaroo Care) Hold your baby close to your chest for skin-to-skin contact. This helps regulate their body temperature, stimulates a regular heart rate and breathing, and strengthens the bond between mother and child.
• Nutrition and Breastfeeding Emphasize consistent breastfeeding to build immunity and promote healthy weight gain. If your baby has a weak suckling ability, you may need to express milk and feed them through a bottle or cup as advised by your doctor.
• Strict Infection Prevention Wash your hands with soap or alcohol before touching your baby. Regularly clean all equipment and supplies. Avoid crowded places and ensure your baby is not in close contact with sick individuals.
• Keeping Regular Developmental Updates Strictly attend all scheduled pediatrician appointments for vaccinations, developmental checkups, hearing tests, and eye examinations. Especially in premature infants to prevent blindness.

Incubator Costs

The cost of infant care in incubators or NICU is quite high and varies greatly depending on several factors. The starting price ranges from a few thousand baht per day to 30,000 baht per day, depending on the chosen medical facility and insurance coverage. Factors affecting the price include

• Duration of treatment The number of days the infant needs to stay in the incubator.
• Severity of condition Infants with severe conditions requiring NICU care will have higher costs than infants in incubators for observation in a general nursery.
• Use of supplementary medical equipment Such as ventilators, vital signs monitors, phototherapy for jaundice treatment, or intravenous nutrition and medication.
• Special procedures Surgery, blood transfusions, or additional laboratory tests.
• Doctor's fees Fees for care by neonatologists and professional nurses.

Consultation on Infant Care at Vibhavadi Hospital

Many parents may worry when they learn that their baby may not be able to be in their arms immediately, or may need to be placed in an incubator to ensure healthy growth and development. You can consult the Pediatric Department at Vibhavadi Hospital, where we are equipped with expert infant care doctors and state-of-the-art equipment to help infants recover and thrive.

Summary

An incubator is a medical device that simulates the environment of the mother's womb to nurture newborns with critical conditions, premature birth, or low birth weight. It controls temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels, and its closed system prevents infection and minimizes external disturbances. Incubators come in enclosed, open, and portable models. The duration the infant needs to stay in the incubator depends on their physical condition until they can breathe on their own and reach a safe weight.

Vibhavadi Hospital is ready to care for both mother and baby, ensuring their health with state-of-the-art equipment and expert infant care doctors and nurses. This helps alleviate parental concerns about their little one's incubation, under the close supervision of doctors and nurses, promoting optimal health and complete development.