When babies are born early, they lack muscle
tone and strength because they were unable to remain in a flexed
position in the womb. They may also lack the ability to gain control
and position themselves for comfort.
You can help your baby regain control by using
your hands to help hold your baby’s tiny legs and feet flexed
and in turn, relieve tension and irritability. Nesting boundaries
using soft rolled up towels offer support and encourage control
of body movements, conserve energy, and help your baby to gain
weight. As your baby matures and develops, he or she will soon
be able to bring their hands to the center of their body, curl
into a flexed position themselves, and relax enough to go to sleep.
These are some suggestions to help your baby
regain control and provide a comfortable secure environment.
Encourage flexion
Keep arms and legs close to the body.
Center baby’s head
and use soft rolls against his/her body as support.
Encourage tummy or side lying positions
Put your baby’s hands close to his/her
face with legs tucked.
Gently hold your baby’s feet or hands
Hold your baby in a curled up position.
Keep hips and knees flexed.
Swaddling and holding baby securely
Wrap your baby firmly in a flexed position
with hands close to the face.
This position provides
security and helps babies to organize themselves, save energy,
and decrease stress.
Holding your baby
Hold your baby in a curled up fashion with
chest to tummy.
Very gentle rocking can calm a fussy baby.
Turning baby
Keep baby’s arms and legs close to
the body and slowly turn against
the bed surface.
Prevent dangling legs and arms.
Vertical Rock
Sometimes you can comfort your baby by
holding in a upright position and gently rocking up and down.
Many babies will quiet
if their arms are centered toward
the midline of their bodies.
Pacifiers
Babies need opportunities to suck.
Pacifiers can comfort and soothe your baby.
Encourage your baby to have opportunities
to suck on his/her fingers. Babies enjoy comforting themselves
in this way. Dim lighting and softening the noise in his/her environment
will help calm your baby also.
The benefits of skin-to-skin contact between
parent and baby are numerous. Babies respond to a warm touch,
a heartbeat, or a comforting voice. Kangaroo care can help babies
maintain temperature, begin breastfeeding earlier, and assist
with regulation of respiratory effort. There are several recliners
in the Neonatal Unit for you to cuddle and have skin-to-skin contact,
rest and relax, and get to know your new baby. Ask your nurse
about more information available in the NICU in regards to the
benefits and experience of Kangaroo Care for your baby.
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
