EFFECTS OF NESTING POSITIONS PROVIDE STABLE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL PARAMETERS, (SLEEP, COMFORT, ACTIVITY, FEEDING AND PAIN) - PRETERM BABIES

Abstract

Preterm babies are the most vulnerable group who require advanced medical interventions and highly specialized nursing care in order to survive. Preterm infants are born with physiological handicaps. The sensory impact of the NICU has been predicate to influence the physiological, neuro-development outcome of preterm infants. So they are more prone to develop impaired sleep pattern, hypothermia, fluctuation of heart rate, hypoxia etc. Due to advances in perinatal and neonatal care, survival rates for preterm infants have increased. However, the risk for neurodevelopmental impairment remains high. Sleep is needed for the normal growth and development of an infant especially for the development of brain and it requires more than 18 hours sleep per day. Over 2 million children had some type of sleep disorder ((National Institute of Lung and Heart Disease, 2015). Newborn Individualized Development and Assessment Program was first initiated by Dr. Heidelise Als, psychologist from the Harvard University. Is the apt developmental care and assessment program for neonates as a totality of healthcare in order to improve the physical and mental condition of premature infants and their families? One of the interventions suggested in NIDCAP is referred to as “nesting”. Nesting was designed by Danielle Salducci a pediatric physiotherapist. In nesting, the premature infant must be positioned in such way the head and body are on the same axis close to the midline, which is similar to the fetal position in mother’s uterus. This paper reviews about meaning of Nesting, benefits and various types of nesting positions.