Appendix 6: Observation with the Parents

How to tell the parents about the exercise?

You can tell the parents in advance that in the NICU there is training going on which involves staff practicing new ways of working with parents and families. The purpose of these practices is to strengthen the role of parents and encourage them to be the "voice" for their infant in matters
concerning his or her care. The practices are important since parents are the experts regarding their own infant and staff can learn more about how to hear from parents about their babies.

With regard to the training say to the parent(s): “We would like to arrange some time with you, where we can get to know your baby in a peaceful and quiet setting.”

When beginning to watch the baby tell the parents that…

1. We have taken some quiet time so that we can watch your baby together and get to know him or her, and to see what he likes and what he does not like. Our observations can also be used for planning your baby’s care in the NICU.
2. You may also say: “Would it be possible that we would be looking at your baby for a little while together? While sometimes you and sometimes I might comment about what he or she is doing (how he or she behaves, how he or she responds to treatment / care, feeding, changing diapers, etc.).”
3. At the end, we can write a summary. Show the parent(s) the See Me Develop Form.