Back-to-sleep or tummy time? Positioning of premature infants and its impact
The primary goal of infant positioning in the neonatal unit is to mimic the in utero environment. This article will consider this in relation to musculoskeletal development, cerebral perfusion, sleep promotion and cardiorespiratory stability. The practical application of positioning ideals will also be addressed.
Fiona Allison
Staff Nurse
Surabhi Kumar
Paediatric ST1
Raju Sunderesan
Consultant Neonatologist
Ayrshire Maternity Unit, University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, Scotland
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Keywords
neurodevelopmental positioning; musculoskeletal development; cerebral perfusion; infant sleep; positioning practices
Key points
- Fetal positioning in the womb enables optimal neurological and physical maturation. Ex utero positioning of premature infants should aim to mimic this environment.
- Ex utero positioning can influence the short and longer-term developmental outcomes of preterm infants.
- Optimal positioning requires an understanding of normal in utero neurodevelopment and recognition of how this may be compromised by premature birth.
- Application of positioning principles should be supported with guidelines and positioning tools.
Also published in Infant:
VOLUME 15/ISSUE 1, JANUARY 2019
Excessive preventable sleep-related deaths require that every nurse encounter with infant caregivers should include safe sleep education and role modelling. Adequate training on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prevention, including safe infant sleep, may be lacking in some nursing schools. The purpose of this study was to assess SIDS prevention knowledge and compliance among nursing students. Many students did not accurately identify modifiable SIDS risk factors, ethnic groups with higher SIDS incidence, or optimal education methods. These findings could be helpful for assuring that nursing curricula adequately prepare new nurses for preventing future SIDS events.