Parents participation in developmental care

Developmental care is about minimising the stress that infants and parents might experience during their time in the neonatal unit. This is achieved by modifying the unit environment, adjusting the way care is given according to the individual needs of the infant and family and by forming a relationship with parents.

The staff will work with parents to look at areas where they themselves can provide an important part of their baby's care. This might include how to:

• express breast milk and sustain a milk supply;
• move, lift and position their baby;
• soothe their baby;
• carry out kangaroo care;
• carry out tube feeding and hygiene care;
• carry out massage;
• stimulate their baby at appropriate times and learn to read his body language.

The environment

Making the environment less hospital like is important when caring for babies. Privacy for parenting can be offered using screens and the side rooms. Parents are also encouraged to bring in their own baby's clothing and toys. 

The timing of care giving depends on how stable and well the baby is. Generally most aspects of care are carried out at the same time so that in-between, babies are left to rest. There is also a 'quiet hour' each afternoon where we try to disturb the babies as little as possible.

Babies have very sensitive hearing and sound can be both pleasing and disturbing for them. To reduce sound levels, staff, parents and visitors are asked to speak softly when at the baby's incubator/cot side. Other noise for example music, is not encouraged until babies are stable and no longer in intensive care.

Light can also be very disturbing to babies and therefore if a baby is relatively stable, the incubator will be partially covered to exclude bright light from baby's eyes. Parents and staff may also shield baby’s eyes from overhead lighting with their hand and when holding a baby, turn his face away from the window.

Decreasing noise and light in the nursery will help a baby to steady his heart rate and breathing pattern and to sleep better. As he gets older and more mature, the nursing staff will work with you in introducing more stimulation to your baby.