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Physical therapy intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Physical & occupational therapy in pediatrics·2013

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Oral-motor function and feeding intervention.

¹Neonatal Special Care Nurseries, Emory University Hospital Midtown, and School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA. jbridgf@emory.edu

Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics

|January 15, 2013

Summary

This guide details evidence-based oral motor interventions for physical therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It focuses on infant-led, family-centered approaches to feeding transitions and suck-swallow-breathe coordination.

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Area of Science:

Neonatal Physical Therapy
Infant Feeding Development

Background:

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) require specialized physical therapy approaches.
Optimizing oral motor skills is crucial for infant feeding and development.

Purpose of the Study:

To present the Oral Motor Intervention section of the Infant Care Path for NICU physical therapy.
To outline evidence-based, infant-driven, and family-focused interventions.

Main Methods:

Review of evidence supporting oral motor interventions.
Integration of infant-driven and family-centered care principles.
Development of a structured Infant Care Path for physical therapy.

Main Results:

Established guidelines for initiating oral feedings.
Provided methods for transitioning infants from gavage to full oral feeding.
Highlighted the importance of suck-swallow-breathe coordination maturation.

Conclusions:

The presented Infant Care Path offers a framework for effective oral motor intervention in the NICU.
Evidence-based practices support timely and appropriate feeding transitions.
An infant-driven and family-focused approach enhances outcomes for neonates.