Fostering behavioral development of high-risk infants

Concerns exist regarding the impact of the early neonatal intensive care unit environment on preterm and other high-risk infants and the lack of stimulus geared to the infant's individual needs and status. The nurse, as the primary caregiver in the neonatal intensive care unit, plays a major role in determining the infant's environment and in modulating interactions between the infant and the environment. Considerations for planning and providing infant stimulation, and nursing actions to enhance and support the infant's developmental capabilities and to foster parent-infant interaction are discussed.