Introduction/Rationale: Feeding at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a significant co-occupation between caregiver and infant. Due to prematurity and physiological status a neonate may experience feeding difficulties, which can further diminish a caregiver’s role performance. Common practice of feeding focuses on feeding quantity. Arguably, more emphasis should be on feeding quality that increases caregiver-infant boding and caregiver self-efficacy.
Objectives: To develop and examine the efficacy of a Cue-Based Feeding (CBF) program in the NICU at a non-profit governmental hospital.
Methods/Approach: A single-arm, pretest-posttest design was employed. Purposive sample of caregiver-infant dyads during their stay at the NICU unit were recruited. The CBF program was developed through three phases: (1) needs assessment for the NICU department; (2) creation and implementation of the CBF program; and (3) evaluation of the CBF program. Caregiver of each dyad completed the perceived maternal parenting self-efficacy questionnaire (PMP-SE) before and after the program.
Results/Practice Implications: Sixteen caregiver-infant dyads recruited and completed the CBF program. The CBF program consisted of NICU environment orientation, education of parent-infant boding, CBF, and ergonomic positions for feeding. Participants reported significant improvement in self-efficacy after the CBF program (p <.006). Additionally, caregivers reported more attentive to identify their infants’ feeding cues during this co-occupation.
Conclusion / Significance to the Occupational Therapy Profession: Feeding is a significant co-occupation in the NICU between the caregiver- infant dyad. Occupational therapy has a unique role in promoting the occupational performance through providing education essential for feeding skills and the relationship between caregiver and infant.