The short answer
It depends on why your baby is there. A baby admitted for jaundice or a short spell of breathing support may need only a few days, while a baby born very early can need weeks, often until around the date they were due. Babies go home when they are breathing on their own, feeding well enough to gain weight, and keeping warm outside an incubator. The team should give you an estimate on admission and update it as your baby changes.
NICU care, ₦195,000 a dayMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Why babies are admitted
A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) looks after newborns who need more help than a normal postnatal ward can give. The common reasons are:
- Being born early, before 37 weeks, or born small
- Jaundice high enough to need phototherapy or an exchange transfusion
- Breathing difficulty that needs oxygen, CPAP or a ventilator
- A suspected infection needing antibiotics through a drip
- Low blood sugar or feeding problems that need close watching
What decides the length of stay
The earlier a baby is born, the longer they usually stay, because breathing, feeding and keeping warm all mature with time. A baby who came for one problem, such as jaundice, usually goes home once that problem is treated. Setbacks, such as an infection, can add days, which is why an honest estimate is updated rather than promised.
The milestones before going home
Most units look for the same things before discharge:
- Breathing without support, with no long pauses
- Feeding from the breast or a cup or bottle, and gaining weight
- Keeping a normal temperature in a cot
- Parents confident with feeding, bathing and the warning signs
What a day costs
At Haven Paediatrics in Ikeja, through Mezo, a NICU day is ₦195,000 a day. A ventilator adds ₦325,000 a day and phototherapy ₦35,000 a day, only on the days they are used. Medicines and tests are billed as used and shown to you daily, so the running total is never a surprise.
What it costs on Mezo
One fixed price, paid online.
Common questions
My baby is struggling to breathe now. What do I do?
Go to the nearest hospital with a neonatal unit immediately, or call 112. Do not wait for a booking. Once your baby is safe, Mezo can help with a transfer or follow-up.
Can I stay with my baby?
Parents are welcome at the cot side, and mothers are supported to breastfeed or express milk. Skin-to-skin contact is encouraged once your baby is stable.
Can my baby be transferred from another hospital?
Yes, when a cot is free and your baby is stable enough to travel. The doctors speak first, and the daily rate is confirmed before the move.
The procedures
Related health guides
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Specialist neonatal respiratory care for babies born preterm (NG124). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Preterm birth. World Health Organization. Fact sheet.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.