Presentation Information

Facilitating Infant-Parent Closeness in Neonatal Care

• Speaker: Anna Axelin , RN, PhD, Associate Professor
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME

Abstract:

Infants should not be separated from their parents. Parent-infant closeness is vital for the development of parent-infant relationship and consequently for parental well-being and optimal infant development. However, every year, due to medical care or hospital routines detrimental separation affects millions of infants. This presentation explores parents’ and staff’s perceptions of infant-parent closeness and separation in maternity care, delivery ward and neonatal intensive care environment. Based on these experiences, barriers (e.g. care routines and resources) and facilitators (e.g. patient centered communication skills, parent autonomy, single family rooms and couplet care) for closeness will be examined and potential strategies to facilitate parent-infant closeness in neonatal care are discussed.