Developmental care
Developmental care involves modifying a newborn's
environment and
learning to read and respond to an infant's behavioral cues
about his or her needs, according to Sue Horner, RN, NICU developmental
specialist at Children's Memorial.
Developmental care is based on the premise that aggressive brain development occurs prior to birth (and continues until
age three). An infant's natural in-utero brain development is disrupted when delivered
prematurely, subjecting her to stimuli that may not match
her current developmental needs.
Research shows that infants who consistently receive developmental care
in the NICU recover more quickly and have better short and long-term outcomes
than infants who don't. They tend to wean-off oxygen, feed on their own, and go
home faster — all milestones of progress for neonates. Since hospital stays are
shorter, developmental care unites families more quickly and is also
cost-effective.
Children's Memorial was the first hospital in Chicago to have a full-time
developmental care specialist dedicated to the NICU. The position is supported
by the Woman's Board. Horner works with caregivers in the NICU and parents to
encourage the use of developmental practices in the hospital and at home. In the
hospital setting, this means creating environments that simulated conditions in
the mother's womb including low lighting situations and noise levels and
maintaining a flexion (or "fetal") position with specially designed positioning
tools. Each of these techniques supports the newborn's growth and development.
Horner also helps parents understand their baby's cues. Everything is
stimulating to a premature infant. Finger splaying, grimacing and coughing can
be signs of stress. We teach families to look out for these signs and respond to
their baby's needs. They may need to be held or touched or simply be in a quiet,
non-stimulating environment.