This means that a small catheter is inserted into a superficial vein, often just below the skin.

Common sites for peripheral IV’s are the hands, arms, feet legs or even the baby’s scalp. The nurses will try to use these sites before using the baby’s scalp, because we understand that a scalp IV sometimes looks scarier to you, as a parent. (Remember, if there is an IV in the scalp, it goes into a small superficial vein, NOT into your baby’s brain).      

Placing an IV in the scalp does not hurt the baby any more than an IV anywhere else. With IV’s in an extremity, the IV may be secured in place with an "armboard". This armboard may look like a small splint and helps to secure the IV, and helps prevent it from getting knocked out accidentally. Remember, this small "splint" does not mean that anything is broken, but is there to help stabilize the IV and to help decrease the number of IV restarts the baby will need.

Baby’s peripheral veins are very superficial, and very fragile. This means that they may easily be dislodged or that the IV fluid may start leaking out of the vein into the skin tissue, causing swelling. If this happens, that IV will be removed and a new IV inserted.