Question

While talking to the nurse, the parents of a neonate in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) express concern that they're neglecting their 3-year-old son. The nurse suggests a sibling visit. To best promote the sibling's attachment to the neonate, the nurse should:

a) Allow the sibling to hold and feed the neonate
b) Limit the visit to 5 minutes to avoid overwhelming the sibling
c) Encourage the parents to bring a favorite toy for the sibling
d) Advise the sibling to maintain a distance to prevent infection

Answer 1

To promote sibling attachment to a neonate in the NICU, the nurse should facilitate gentle, direct contact such as holding or assisting in feeding, where safe and feasible, and encourage the parents to bring a favorite toy of the sibling to the visit.

Step-by-step explanation:

To best promote the sibling's attachment to the neonate in the intensive care unit (NICU), the nurse should allow the sibling to hold and feed the neonate, if feasible and safe under close supervision. Siblings can develop a bond with the newborn by engaging in direct, gentle contact. This could involve holding the baby or participating in feeding, provided it is appropriate for the neonate's medical condition and the sibling is old enough to do so with assistance. Given neonates' particularly developed sense of touch and preference for human faces and voices, physical contact and interaction can be comforting for the baby and promote a sense of familiarity and bonding with their sibling. Moreover, the parents can make the sibling feel included and important in the new baby's life, helping to mitigate feelings of neglect. However, it is essential to follow the NICU's infection control protocols during sibling visits. Encouraging the parents to bring a favorite toy for the sibling can also be helpful, as it might give the sibling a sense of comfort and normalcy during their visit.