An article I wrote for the L'il Aussie Prems website on the importance of parents in providing positive, nurturing touch for their premature baby in the NICU and beyond.
Positive, nurturing touch is important in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as premature babies often experience negative, painful touch by way of medical treatments. For an infant to interact socially, they must first be able to control their autonomic motor and behavioural state systems. Tactile support such as nurturing touch can help your baby to settle. Factors such as the environment, type and level of procedures along with the infants maturity will affect their ability to cope with stimulation. Environment can include noise from equipment, monitor alarms and other babies crying. The overall aim of positive, nurturing touch in the NICU is to reduce tactile sensitivity, to encourage bonding and attachment, to provide a pleasurable positive touch experience, to facilitate a positive interaction between parent and child, and to encourage an improved range of motion and relaxation for baby....
For the full article, please view the L'il Aussie Prems blog http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/blogs/ and the article at
The founder of Lil' Aussie Prems website, Julia Toivonen, and her response after she read my article...
"I know when my premmie was in hospital I wasn't sure what the correct way to touch him was, being that he was so small... but as time went on I learnt that touch and talking to him was the best thing that I could do!" She also said "It is a real topic that I think parents need direction with. I cannot thank you enough for writing this (article), I really appreciate your help and support".
Many thanks to Julia for the privilege of contributing to her wonderful website!
Great article!
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd taken more time to touch Brendan while he was in the NICU rather than waiting for him to move to Special Care.
Sally
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Nice post which Positive, nurturing touch is important in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as premature babies often experience negative, painful touch by way of medical treatments. For an infant to interact socially, they must first be able to control their autonomic motor and behavioural state systems. Thanks a lot for posting this article.
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