Question

The parents of a preterm infant visit the infant in the newborn nursery. When they see the infant resting comfortably in the isolette and express concern about disturbing the baby to hold it. Which response by the nurse is BEST?

A. It's important to let the baby rest as much as possible.
B. Touch and holding are crucial for your baby's development.
C. Wait until the baby is at term before attempting to hold.
D. Preterm babies need minimal human contact for the first few weeks.

Answer 1

The nurse should encourage touch and holding as they are crucial for the preterm infant's development, providing comfort and aiding in health stabilization and bonding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by a nurse to the parents of a preterm infant expressing concern about disturbing their baby to hold him or her would be: "Touch and holding are crucial for your baby's development." This acknowledges the importance of parental contact in the infant's early life. Newborns, including preterm infants, have a well-developed sense of touch and respond positively to cuddling and soft stroking. Neurodevelopmental support is provided through physical contact, such as the skin-to-skin practice known as kangaroo care, which can stabilize the baby's heart rate, temperature, and breathing, and encourage bonding and breastfeeding.

The sense of touch is one of the most developed senses at birth, and through touch, newborns can find comfort and emotional security. Instinctive behaviors such as the Moro reflex and grasping reflex aid in maintaining close physical contact with a caregiver, which is also essential for the infant's development. The need for early social contact for proper development has been well documented, such as in the research of Harlow with rhesus monkeys, which demonstrated the significance of social comfort over basic sustenance.