An Audiovisual Package to Strengthen the Capabilities of the Health Workforce & Caregivers

Watch all six modules
Early brain development begins in the womb and continues after birth. When a baby is born preterm, small, or sick, development that would have normally transpired in the womb is interrupted and the stressful sensory experiences of the neonatal care unit can adversely affect brain development.

Amazingly, the developing brain has a unique property of experience-driven neuroplasticity, allowing it to reorganize and recover after injury. But, for this to happen, the right supports need to be in place in the neonatal care unit to maximize recovery and promote development.

What are the right supports? The five interrelated and indivisible components of nurturing care. Nurturing care mitigates the effects of toxic stress on the developing brain and promotes early childhood development. Using a family-centred approach and developmentally supportive care, healthcare providers can support caregivers to provide their small and sick newborns nurturing care in the neonatal care unit.

How is this possible? Seeking to illustrate what is possible and inspire action in the neonatal care unit, the Department of Neonatology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS), and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, with the support of the WHO Country Office India have developed seven video-based modules for healthcare providers. The modules explain the importance of empowering caregivers to provide their small and sick newborns nurturing care and provide practical examples of how to support caregivers to provide the five components of nurturing care in the neonatal care unit. A comprehensive training package for healthcare providers is under development including resources to support the continuity of care by caregivers beyond the hospital setting.

Module 1 is about the importance of creating a nurturing environment for preterm, small and sick newborns and the concept of early intervention.

Module 2 focuses on feeding challenges of preterms and how we can minimize the unpleasant experiences associated with feeding of preterms. This module includes good practices for optimizing nutrition for these babies.

Module 3 highlights what is responsive caregiving, why it is important and how we can recognize and respond to infant cues during the caregiving of these preterm babies.

Module 4 emphasizes the importance of as well as ‘how of’ safeguard sleep for preterm infants in neonatal care units.

Module 5 focuses on the importance and ‘the how’ of proper positioning and handling of preterm infants.

Module 6 focuses on recognizing and minimizing pain in preterm infants, and protecting their delicate skin to ensure safety, comfort, and healthy development.

Module 7 explains how positive learning experiences can be provided to the developing brains of small and sick preterms through appropriate and optimal multimodal sensory stimulation in the neonatal care unit.