The Science of Tiny Snuggles: Foundations of Neonatal Therapy – Part 2
Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) require life sustaining intervention for weeks to months after birth. This intervention is remarkably stressful for both the infant, who is ill-equipped to handle life outside the womb, and for the parents who are filled with fear and stress due to the illness of their son or daughter. Knowledge of the unique developmental needs, sensory experiences, and methods of communication of preterm infants help occupational therapists maximize the occupational performance of both infant and family.
