At Norton Children's Hospital, the tiniest babies get specialized care

When identical twins Tate and Tripp Myers were born, they weighed a little under four pounds … put together.

After Tate and Tripp arrived 26 weeks and six days, their first home was in the new Tiny Baby Unit (TBU) at Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, Ky. Opened in April 2024, the 15-bed TBU is a dedicated section of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) solely for babies who weigh 2.75 pounds or less at birth; such babies are usually born at 28 weeks or earlier. The NICU at Norton Children’s has 101 beds, so the TBU creates a more intimate atmosphere for parents and babies to bond.

Moreover, the unit has a dedicated, specialized, highly trained team that takes care of their little patients day after day, meaning parents become more familiar with their child’s caregivers. Because the health care workers also spend more time with these babies and are used to what’s “normal” for each one, they’re more likely to spot irregularities before they turn into major problems.

“It took a team of providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and nutritionists working together to bring this vision to reality,” said Mia Nellums, nurse manager of Norton Children’s NICU. “It’s going to be tremendous for the babies and their families.” To read more about Tate, Tripp and the TBU, click here.