A descriptive study of sibling visitation in the NICU

Factors that foster sibling involvement with the newborn and the early stages of the attachment process were cited by key experts: Brazelton and Kennell viewed organization as an essential component of any successful sibling involvement program; Rait and Barnard saw recognition of siblings' needs as vital in any effort to help them process the entire experience; and Consolvo recognized attitudinal issues as playing a key role in implementing and accepting sibling involvement. The interviews with the head nurses identified some common themes within their unique programs that centered around families, the NICU atmosphere, and the promotion of sibling activities. A liberal visiting policy was recognized in all the units, promoting the concept of family-centered care and allowing parents, siblings, and grandparents the opportunity to be supportive together. The flip side of having such a liberal visitation program was the sibling's exposure to a noisy, hurried atmosphere and parents' high anxiety level and the staff's concern about the preterm infant being subjected to a noisier, brighter, more stressful environment and possible exposure to infectious disease. The promotion of sibling activities was a recurring theme in all the head nurse interviews. Examples varied from unit to unit, but the implementation of growth and development principles, along with creativity and innovation, indicated that the overall efforts of these units in promoting sibling involvement was commendable.