34 week babies that are born at 34 weeks do need NICU.
Babies that are born at 34 weeks are considered late preterm babies and almost always require a stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit also known as the NICU, or sometimes a step down nursery..
While most babies born at 34 weeks are often healthy, they also are not yet fully mature enough and commonly require assistance with temperature regulation, breathing support and feeding.
The average stay in NICU for babies born at 34 weeks is around 1 week to 2 weeks, but can be longer, if the baby experiences any complications.
Babies born at 34 weeks often also lack the needed coordination to suck, swallow and also breathe simultaneously and frequently require a feeding tube to feed properly.
Preterm babies, including preterm babies born at 34 weeks also have low body fat and might also need an incubator or warmer to maintain their body temperature.
And although the baby's lungs at 34 weeks are more developed than earlier preemie babies, they often still need some CPAP support or temporary oxygen to breathe properly.
Preterm babies, including those born at 34 weeks, are also at a higher risk of developing Jaundice and need light therapy.
And many 34 week born babies are mostly in the NICU to gain weight and learn to feed efficiently before they are able to go home.
At 34 weeks, babies are also considered to be moderate to late preterm, which often results in short term NICU care, instead of the long term intensive care that earlier preterm babies require.