Child Life Specialists

A certified child life specialist in the NICU has several roles. First, the child life specialist is able to provide developmental play for your hospitalized baby. It is important that babies continue to have opportunities for play and exploration to meet milestones. The child life specialist can also provide support to siblings who are having a difficult time understanding why their brother or sister is hospitalized. The child life specialist can identify specific ways to help siblings feel involved and like a part of the team caring for your baby. Lastly, the child life specialist can provide legacy-building opportunities for your family. Even though your baby is hospitalized, it is important to document milestones (big and small). 

Child life specialists promote the developmental needs of infants during their stay in the NICU. They can provide you with resources and tools to stimulate and encourage your baby’s development. Our child life specialist visits your baby's bedside to create developmental plans and encourage development through socialization, reading, singing, age-appropriate toys, and positive touch. Common goals of developmental play include tummy time, trunk support, tracking with eyes, grasping toys, mirror, and sensory exploration. 

For infants who may not be ready for developmental play, the child life specialist can provide positive touch and bedside support. Infants in the NICU experience painful, invasive, and uncomfortable stimulation throughout the day due to procedures and necessary care. Your child life specialist can use positive touch and encourage parental bonding with use of comfort positioning. Positive touch can also be used during procedures (IV starts, heel-sticks, etc.) to promote coping and decrease stress. 

Child life specialists are experts in child development who help to normalize the hospital environment and experience for siblings by promoting play and coping skills. They use age-appropriate language to give directions on hand-washing and explain how the medical equipment is helping make their baby sibling better. Child life specialists work with the whole medical team to ensure we create a comprehensive care plan for your baby's siblings. 

Child life specialists are able to meet with parents and siblings in group or individual sessions to provide medical play, preparation for visiting NICU siblings, education, and support groups. They have books and resources for siblings to help answer tough questions about their sibling in the NICU, normalize the hospital environment, and address any fears or misconceptions. During restricted visitation times, the child life specialist is available to families via video calls, phone calls, or meeting parents at bedside to discuss sibling support needs. As needed the child life specialist is available for more in-depth teaching regarding medical diagnosis, treatments, or procedures, as well as long-term hospitalization and changes in prognosis.