Family Centered Developmental Care
Developmental Care in the NICU
Developmental Care and for the Future of Your Baby
Developmental Care in the NICU supports who your baby is emotionally and mentally
as an individual and who he/she will become in the future. Many years of research
in the NICU have given caregivers guidance on how to make sure your baby is minimally
affected by his/her NICU experience. This practice includes:
- Immediate involvement of families in caring for their baby.
- Explaining the special needs of your baby at each stage of development.
- Family participation in Kangaroo Care and Infant Massage to foster bonding and attachment.
- Focusing special attention on keeping your baby calm and comfortable throughout
his/her NICU stay through: proper positioning, protection from too much light and
noise, watching closely for any signs of pain and providing medication if necessary
to keep your baby comfortable.
- Gentle stimulation for your baby’s hearing and vision through a specific collection
of developmentally supportive toys and music.
- Care giving designed to respond immediately to your baby’s emotional and physical
needs.
- Providing a group of nurses that will regularly care for you and your baby’s needs
while in the NICU.
- The nurses in the NICU here at the Nebraska Medical Center are the most experienced
of any NICU in the State of Nebraska.
- We provide “ rooming in” rooms to help with the transition from the NICU to home.
Parents are able to care for their baby in a home like environment with nursing
and medical support as needed.
- Comforter program to provide your baby with emotional support when you are not able
to be in the NICU.
- Participation in the Developmental TIPS Program, a statewide program to provide
developmental support as necessary to age 3.
- Referrals to Nebraska and Iowa Early Intervention Programs if necessary to provide
special services to infants in need.
- Vision evaluation services by an ophthalmologist for infants at risk and laser surgery
for infants in need.
- Caring for your child as we would want cared for.