Helping your Neonate cope with the Hospital 

 

Neonate 0-30 days old

 

Neonates can sense if you are stressed or anxious, so be prepared. The more prepared you are the more relaxed you will be around your baby.  It is important to keep your baby’s routines and environment as normal as possible. Bring your baby’s favorite comfort items like a blanket, toy or pacifier. It may also be helpful to bring a familiar bottle for after surgery.  Also, understand that baby’s get fussy in new and uncomfortable situations, so be prepared to distract and comfort your baby.

 

Developmental milestones:

 

• Startle reflex: when moved quickly or hears loud noises

• Suckling reflex: sucks on anything placed in mouth

• Rooting reflex: opens mouth and turns head toward

  side where cheek is stroked

• Grasps anything placed in hand and then just lets go

• Focuses on anything 8-10 inches away

• Hearing is fully mature

• Moves head side to side while laying on stomach

• Begins to gurgle coo, and grunt

 

Hospital Stressors:

 

• Startles to loud noise and sudden movement

• Blinks in response to bright light

• Basic needs may be impaired

• Caregiver involvement may be limited

 

Coping behaviors:

 

• Crying

• Sucking

• Quiets to soft music, singing or touching

• Soothes when swaddled in blanket or rocked

 

How to help neonates cope with hospitalization:

 

• Caregiver presence and participation in care

• Caregiver contact (hospital staff may need to show

  caregiver how to hold neonate with equipment)

• Avoid quick movements

• Decrease noise level and bright light

• Avoid hunger and maintain warm room temperature

• Talk in a soft soothing voice 8-12 inches away from face

• Sound soother/ mobile

• Comfort items like a blanket and or wubanub

• Caregiver education

• Interdisciplinary care conference

 

Pain management and distraction techniques:

• Light up toys

• Soft music

• Comfort positioning

• Sweet ease (sucrose on pacifier)

• Rocking and soothing to return to normal