Traditionally, non-medical, developmental intervention with premature infants has been a controversial topic in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). However, a small but growing band of researchers have been pushing for the acceptance of alternative interventions, such as kangaroo care and massage therapy, that do not resort to surgical or other medical practices. Edward Goldson, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital in Colorado, has assembled the top researchers in the field to contribute to this comprehensive volume that deals with non-medical intervention with premature infants. Nurturing the Premature Infant is the first to combine the innovative research in this growing area and present it in a single volume. Not only will it be indispensable to professionals in the field, but it will also be of interest to parents of premature infants.

As more premature infants survive the immediate neonatal period and require prolonged periods of hospitalisation, researchers in fetal development and infancy have begun to reassess the strategies for their care.

The premature birth of a baby is a medical crisis. The many medical and developmental challenges that a preemie faces can overwhelm parents. This book provides parents with suggestions and support for coping, adjusting, and finding their way.

The book educates the parents about pregnancy care and when to reach healthcare to provide the best care to their newborns. It is the guide for breastfeeding and solutions to problems faced by mothers during the same period. It explains the normal physiology of the baby, which usually create unnecessary anxiety and panic in parents. Lastly book also guide parents when to consult healthcare professional to get optimum treatment at the right time. Even the smallest thing, like the nail care of a newborn, is covered. It is an overall package of care, medical and non-medical, for newborns and parents during the crucial parenting phase by a standby paediatrician at home.

As more premature infants survive the immediate neonatal period and require prolonged periods of hospitalization, researchers in fetal development and infancy have begun to reassess the strategies for their care. In the past, the focus of neonatal intensive care was to sustain life, with little attention to the quality and implications of survival. Today, however, researchers and clinicians are seeking to enhance the development of these small infants by ameliorating the effects of extreme prematurity and the associated medical and surgical complications. This book reports the work of leading researchers who have begun to use a variety of developmental interventions in the management of small infants in neonatal intensive care units.

This major new addition to the Sears Parenting Library is a comprehensive, authoritative, and reassuring guide for parents of premature babies. 20 line drawings & photos.