Therapy in the NICU

Premature birth can affect several domains of infant development, such as motor skills (muscle movement), sensory processing and attachment (relationships with caregivers). Our dedicated team of professionals at the work together to provide essential support for your baby.

Early intervention through therapy is vital for promoting overall development, positive outcomes and well-being. Together, we can help give your child the best possible start in life.

How we help

While your baby is in the NICU, our team of occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech-language therapists collaborate with medical staff to provide evaluations, treatment and developmentally supportive care. We offer:

Feeding evaluation and support. Eating is one of the most difficult skills infants must learn, and sometimes they need help successfully mastering this skill. Our speech-language therapists assess pre-feeding skills, support the transition to oral feeding, suggest modifications as needed, provide caregiver education and more.

Support for positioning and motor development. Our therapists recommend positioning strategies that support infants’ musculoskeletal system and overall health. We also focus on promoting motor development and effectively regulating arousal — the level of alertness, stress and activity that an infant experiences.

Guidance on attachment and bonding. We help parents and other caregivers bond with their babies, understand their unique needs and maintain involvement in their care.

After your baby leaves the NICU, our therapists will help coordinate follow-up care with our Neonatal Follow-up Clinic to monitor your baby’s ongoing developmental progress.