Recording of Finding My Way Back Home- The Journey to Skin to Skin in the NICU
A webinar featuring Erika Clemens MS OTR/L, SWC, IBCLC, NTMTC. Premature and fragile infants admitted to the NICU have altered neurodevelopmental trajectories and are at risk for long term medical and neurodevelopmental issues as well as feeding difficulties. Research has shown that Skin to Skin may improve these outcomes and also may facilitate increased rates of breastfeeding. Medical instability may prevent these infants from participating in Skin to Skin initially, yet in many NICUs, even after a child is stable, it is still a challenge shifting the high tech medicalized environment to fully embrace Skin to Skin as an evidence based priority. Through the journey of one NICU determined to change their culture, this webinar explores the research, barriers, practice strategies and stories of promoting Skin to Skin, stressing its importance as the foundational modality to facilitate neurodevelopment and as the initial step on the path to optimal breastfeeding outcomes.
