Neonatal Intensive Care
Developmental Care Program

Funded by Mississippi Department of Health

Implemented by the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi, Southern Mississippi Neonatology and Forrest General Hospital.

Goals

Develop a Developmental Care Continuum for NICU infants that focuses on increasing medical stability and promotes appropriate developmental progression while the infant is in the NICU. The NICU Developmental Care program includes the following primary components:

• observe, interpret, and respond to infant cues;

• individualize timing and pacing of infant care;

• modify infant care based on developmental progression;

• position infants based on musculoskeletal, development and individual needs;

• modify environment based on individual infant's needs; and

• support parents participation in their infant's care.