Enhancing therapeutic support for inpatient infants and families by introducing Lullaby Hour to the neonatal unit

Musical interventions in a neonatal setting have been reported in some studies as having benefits for preterm infants, parents and staff wellbeing. This small service evaluation of a live musical intervention – Lullaby Hour – delivered by a musician and allied health professional staff in collaboration with neonatal colleagues and parents within a neonatal intensive care unit, aimed to consider if Lullaby Hour could be a beneficial addition to neonatal care.

Emily Hills
Occupational Therapist, Starlight Neonatal Unit, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; formerly Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
emily.hills@nhs.net

Lucy Hynard
MSc student, Paediatrics and Child Health, University College London

Aniko Deierl Consultant Neonatologist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Annie Aloysius
Speech and Language Therapist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Celia Harding
Professor, City, University of London

Hills E., Hynard L., Deierl A., Aloysius A., Harding C. Enhancing therapeutic support for inpatient infants and families by introducing Lullaby Hour to the neonatal unit. Infant 2023; 19(2): 68-70.

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Keywords

lullaby hour; music intervention; parent-infant bonding; parent support

Key points

A multi-method approach to support parents to develop a positive relationship with their infant is necessary on neonatal units.
An initiative such as Lullaby Hour can increase parent confidence with infant bonding and interaction, and in interpreting their infant’s needs.

Also published in Infant:

VOLUME 16/ISSUE 6, NOVEMBER 2020

Supporting parents to read to their infants on a level 2 neonatal unit: launch of a neonatal library

Growing evidence shows that preterm infants can be at increased risk of communication and literacy difficulties as they acquire skills during their early years. The impact of these difficulties can reduce inclusion in education and social situations for children born preterm. This article summarises the steps taken on a level 2 unit to introduce parents to reading books to their infants through use of a unit library on the neonatal unit.