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Developmental care is an approach to individualize the care of infants to maximize neurological development and reduce long-term cognitive and behavioural problems.

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Being responsible for a tiny life is always overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. Unfortunately, babies will be inside the incubator and you barely can touch them, which makes you feel like you have no part to play. But this is not the case. Your baby needs you like any other new-borns.

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Babies are capable of telling you if they are stressed or feeling comfortable; you just need to know what to look for.

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SIGNS OF STRESS/CUES THAT THE BABY IS GETTING TOO MUCH STIMULATION

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SIGNS OF STRESS/CUES THAT THE BABY IS GETTING TOO MUCH STIMULATION

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Hiccupping

Yawning

Sneezing

Frowning

Looking away

Squirming

Frantic, disorganized activity

Arms and legs pushing away

Arms and legs limp and floppy

Skin colour changes

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Normal skin color

Arms and legs flexed or tucked

Hand touching his face

Hand-to-mouth or in-mouth

Sucking

Looking at you

Smiling and looking relaxed

Regular breathing rate

If your baby is on a monitor, a regular heartbeat

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From 32 weeks gestation, babies can display an organized sleep and arousal state and can maintain a quiet alert state for a short period (<32/40 most of their awake is a drowsy awake and their sleep is light sleep).

The best time to interact with a baby or have an intervention is during a quiet alert state.

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Avoid bright lights, if a baby is relatively stable, the incubator must be covered fully/ partially to exclude bright light.

Use a soft, quiet voice when talking to your baby. Decreasing noise and light helps babies to steady their heart rate and breathing pattern and to sleep better.

Let your baby sleep. Sleeping helps babies grow.

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Minimal handling and clustering of care activities, enable babies to have longer, undisturbed rest periods which helps for normal growth and development.

AVOID TICKLING STROKES, offer them containment holding by gently holding the baby's head with one hand and the other on their body or around the feet.

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THE GENTLE APPROACH TO INITIATE CONTACT WITH THE BABIES CAN BE DIVIDED INTO FIVE STEPS.

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THE GENTLE APPROACH TO INITIATE CONTACT WITH THE BABIES CAN BE DIVIDED INTO FIVE STEPS.

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1. PREPARATION

2. TOUCH PERMISSION

3. TURNING TO THE BABY & PACING

4. CONNECTION

5. BREAKING CONTACT

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GATHER ANYTHING THAT IS NEEDED, SO THAT CONTACT WITH THE BABY IS UNBROKEN.

WAIT AND WATCH [Look at their breathing. colour, state].

ADJUST THE ENVIRONMENT TO SUIT BABY'S LEVEL OF SENSITIVITY

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RUB HANDS TOGETHER AND KEEP THEM WARM BEFORE YOU TOUCH YOUR BABY.

SAY OUT LOUD WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO DO (this lets your baby know you are there and gives them time to respond)

WATCH AND WAIT FOR YOUR BABY TO ADJUST TO YOUR PRESENCE

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STEP 3: TURNING INTO THE BABY AND PACING

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STEP 3: TURNING INTO THE BABY AND PACING

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1. CHECK OUT IF THE BABY IS CALM/ UPSET AND READY FOR THE TOUCH.

2. OFFER THEM SOME TIME TO ADJUST, YOU CAN USE YOUR VOICE TO LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE THERE AND IT HELPS TO CALM THEM.

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1. BE AWARE OF BREATHING.

2. KEEPING THE HANDS NEAR, NOT TOUCHING THE BABY CAN BE CALMING.

3. GIVE A MOMENT WITH RESTING HANDS BEFORE MOVING THEM.

4. TALK TO THEM AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

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BREAKING CONTACT IS AN IMPORTANT LAST STEP

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1. TALK TO YOUR BABY AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

2. WITHDRAW HANDS VERY SLOWLY, WAIT, AND WATCH AFTERWARDS TO WORK OUT IF YOUR BABY NEEDS MORE SUPPORT.