Creating a positive place and space in NICUs

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Maternity care
• Healthcare environment design

Background:

• Growing focus on the influence of physical space in maternity and neonatal care.
• Discrepancies exist in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) facilities supporting family-centered care and parental involvement.
• Parental presence and involvement are crucial for preterm infant development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how the design of space in NICUs affects infant feeding experiences.
• To examine the influence of NICU spatial configuration on the developing parent-baby relationship.
• To understand parents' and staff experiences with feeding preterm infants in different NICU environments.

Main Methods:

• Ethnographic study methodology.
• Data collection across four NICUs in England and Sweden.
• Focus on parents' and staff experiences concerning infant feeding.

Main Results:

• NICU spatial design significantly influences the practicalities and emotional aspects of infant feeding.
• Environmental factors affect the ability of parents to be present and involved.
• The physical layout of NICUs impacts the formation and strengthening of the parent-baby relationship.

Conclusions:

• NICU design is a critical factor in facilitating positive infant feeding experiences and parental bonding.
• Optimizing NICU spaces can enhance family-centered care and improve outcomes for preterm infants.
• Further research into environmental influences on neonatal care is warranted.