ABSTRACT

The growth of premature babies and of their survival rate lead to the investigation of the typical characteristics of premature babies and of their, often vulnerable and atypical, developmental trajectories. One of the aspects, which is more influenced by a premature birth and by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), is the relationship between the newborn and their caregiver, with possible negative effects on the attachment and negative short and log term consequences in all the areas of the baby’s development. Furthermore, the environmental setting plays a crucial role in increasing or decreasing the neonatal risks, connected to the initial vulnerability of the newborn, modifying then their developmental trajectory.
The aim of this project is to develop an observational tool to detect the characteristics of the interaction between the premature baby and their caregiver, which can be used by the developmental therapist in order to design an individualized intervention to promote the development of a secure bond.
The design of this observational tool has been followed by a trial period applying also some care technics within a project in the NICU of an hospital located in the Veneto region. The possibility of using this observation tool to identify the characteristics of the relationship between the premature baby and their caregiver, for designing the therapeutic project and for evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment, has been confirmed by the experience of its clinical application. This observation tool has also been used to upgrade the therapeutic proposals and to adapt them to be personalised on the family.
This study shows the importance of using such a specific tool to enhance the relationship between the baby and their caregiver as a promoter of their development. It also highlights the relevance of the developmental therapist role in NICU as an observer, a facilitator of the baby-caregiver’s relationship and a promoter of the wellbeing of the newborn.