When infants are born preterm, they are generally born prior to or during critical periods of development. The third trimester of pregnancy is a period were rapid brain growth occurs and as these infants born preterm are not in the uterus, the environmental influences such as noise or handling may impact on their development (Victorian State Government, 2015). Thus, developmental cares have been implemented into the care of preterm infants to create an environment that resembles utero life, to minimise stress and provide a developmentally appropriate environment (Victorian State Government, 2015). This essay will focus on five of these developmental cares; nesting, kangaroo care, lighting, cluster care and minimising noise. Infants in …show more content…
(REF) Traditionally, preterm infants were nursed in incubators, with the philosophy that it was unsafe for premature infants to be out of their incubators. However, in the late 70’s premature infants had a significantly high mortality rate in Colombia due to the limited available incubators, thus once the infants were clinically stable they were placed skin to skin on their mother’s chest to be nursed. The results found were incredible and warranted further studies. Several randomised control trial studies have been conducted around Kangaroo care which found that preterm infants who received kangaroo care became physiologically stable faster than those who received standard incubator care based on cardio-respiratory monitoring (Bergman, Linley, & Fawcus, 2004). A stable infant, who is calm, has reduced energy expenditure which reduce incidence of hypoglycaemia, supporting healthy weight gain, leading to better thermoregulation, decreases respiratory distress which leads to better oxygen saturation of the infant, better sleep patterns and overall better health outcome for the infant (Chiu, & Anderson, 2009). Furthermore, studies have been conducted to assess the long-term development of infant who receives kangaroo care. The results have demonstrated that Kangaroo care increases intelligence and school …show more content…
In utero the foetus is also able to do this by responding to maternal day-night rhythms through her melatonin levels (Lee, Han, & Bang, 2012). Once out of the uterus the infant relies on the light stimulus to influence their sleep wake cycle. Studies that have been conducted around the exposure of light and the impact on the infant have found a positive correlation between decreasing light stimuli and the infant’s sleep-wake cycle as well as the overall neurobehavioral development and a healthier long term sleep-wake cycle. A systematic review published in the Cochrane library has found no evidence to suggest that bright lights in the nursery influence the development of retinopathy (Jorge, Jorge, & El Dib, 2013). Previously, there have been studies suggesting retinopathy of the newborn is influenced by bright lights in the nursery, however they were not systematic reviews which is a higher level of evidence (Queensland Government Health, 2017), and thus with the current evidence it can be said that bright lights in the nursery do not influence retinopathy. Another systematic Cochrane review article has found that using cycled lighting in the nursery has a statistically significant impact on the infant’s development (Morag, & Ohlsson, 2016). The review stated, that infants had a reduced length of hospital stay as well as less time spent crying (Morag, & Ohlsson, 2016). Again, if the infant is calm,
Kangaroo care is the action of giving skin-to-skin contact with the parent. This is done by putting the baby in minimal clothing, usually just a diaper, and placing the baby skin-to-skin to the bare chest of the parent. There have always been positive effects to kangaroo care. Some of the positive effects of it are temperature regulation, respiration, and the stabilization of the baby’s heart rate. It is also found to help with bonding and helping with breastfeeding. When the parent performs kangaroo care, they hold the baby and are more confident when they leave the hospital. Kangaroo care is for most babies. Pre-term babies also have good results with kangaroo care.
Uebel, P. (1999). A case study of antenatal distress and consequent neonatal respiratory distress. Neonatal Network. 18 (5). 67-70
The very low birth weight are newborns that weigh less than 3.3 pounds (1,500 grams). Unfortunately, newborns that are under 3.3 pounds (1,500 grams) do not often survive, and the ones that do have delayed motor skills and cognitive development. The numbers decrease further to extremely low birth weight of 2.2 pounds (1,000 grams), where chance of life is very small. Low birth weight babies 1,500 grams – 2,500 grams (3.3 -5.5 pounds) have a good chance they will survive with proper care. Newborns that are small-for-date are placed in incubators that are sealed beds where temperature and air quality is regulated. The beds isolate the infants from pathogens and the environment. The babies need sensory stimulation to grow, so a recorded tape is played of the mothers soothing voice. Visual stimulation from video, and tactile stimulation helps foster physical and cognitive development in the baby. At five months while the fetus is in the womb ithas sensory capabilities, and can hear the mother’s heart beating, food digestion, speaking, and others speaking to her! The incubator stimulates this environment. There is great success with proper attention and care to the low birth weight babies, and. Many of the low birth weight babies are effects of parents that live in poverty, unable to access adequate medical care, and they experience stress due to an unhealthy family life.
Emotionally the infant will need love, warmth & care. The baby will need to feel safe and have healthy emotion responses. When the baby is hungry or tired, they cry to express themselves.
Gregson, S., & Blacker, J. (2011). Kangaroo care in pre-term or low birth weight babies in a postnatal ward. British Journal Of Midwifery, 19(9), 568-577.
The journal associated with this organization is Advances in Neonatal Care. This information was established through the website and the Co- Editors ...
After eight hours of labor, Kieran’s birth ended in a C-section as he went into distress. His Apgar score was a 7-8 and when he would cry I would lactate so I choose to breastfeed. For the first week, Kieran wasn’t very hungry and lost a little weight, however he began to feed heartily. Kieran would only sleep two hours at a time and, sometimes became fussy and difficult to soothe when taking a nap. At three months, Kieran was more awake than most babies and seemed to be in constant motion.
McKenna, James J. Joyce, Edmund P. "Cosleeping and Biological Imperatives: Why Human Babies Do Not and Should Not Sleep Alone." Neuroanthropology.net. n.p. 21 December 2008. Web. 8 March 2014
Field T., Preterm infant massage therapy studies: An American approach. Semin Neonatal, 2002; 7, 487-494.
The next time I walked into a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was as a fourth year medical student. This time not as a spectator, but as a medical professional expec...
..., L. L., Groer, M. W., & Younger, M. S. (2003). The behavioral effects of gentle human touch on preterm infants. Nursing Science Quarterly, 16(1), p60-67. Retrieved from http://www.capellauniversity.edu/library/12593316
Demonstrate a strong understanding of current Australian early childhood education and care reform agenda in Australia since 2007. The Australian ECE and care reform agenda was initiated, in 2007, due to a concern for the wellbeing and increasingly poor outcomes for children in several key areas. Evidence confirmed the importance and impact of a child’s health, well-being, development and learning in the early years, therefore the need for an NQF and NQS was initiated. The impact of social change over recent decades has shown families struggling to function and aid in their child’s development.
Preterm birth is defined as ‘any neonate whose birth occurs before the thirty seventh week of gestation’1 and represents approximately eight percent of all pregnancies1-4. It is eminent that these preterm infants are at risk of physical and neurological delay, with prolonged hospitalisation and an increased risk of long-term morbidity evident in prior literature3, 5-13. Innovative healthcare over the past thirty years has reduced mortality significantly14, with the survival rate of preterm infants having increased from twenty five percent in 1980 to seventy three percent in 200715. Despite, this drop in mortality long-term morbidity continues to remain within these surviving infants sparking a cause for concern15, 16.
As I plan to eventually work with young mothers who have children who are in the foster care system or who are fighting to get their children back, I want to have a clear understand of what it will take to establish a healthy pregnancy. It will be important to implement the prenatal development to these future mothers. Making sure that these mothers have an understanding of what is important in the first stages of prenatal care of their children. For example, going to Doctor’s appointments, taking vitamins, eating healthy, and staying active. This will help provide a safe and healthy pregnancy for any children they may have. I also believe that gaining knowledge over the stages of development will be beneficial to know for the mothers who are fighting to have their children back. Some of these mothers I could be working with might not know what to expect of their one-year-old child. For example, how their brain is developing, what they should be doing cognitively or socially. As a future family life educator, it will be important that I have a clear understanding of these concerns of the child and the development process for the mothers who have the urge to get care of their children
Murray, Linda, Anna McGrail, and Daphne Metland. The Baby Center Essential Guide ToYour Baby's First Year. N.p.: Holtzbrinck, 2007. 185-88. Print.