Physiotherapy

“How can a neonatal physiotherapist support you, your baby and your family throughout your neonatal journey and beyond?”

If your baby was born early or has spent a long time in hospital, they may need some extra support with their development. Physiotherapists are experts in assessing how your baby moves, how their muscles are developing and how they learn new skills. We work in collaboration with you as parents or caregivers, and may provide particular activities and equipment (such as nests or supports) to help your baby feel more comfortable and optimise their development. By identifying any challenges early, we can provide early advice and intervention which is known as neurodevelopmental support.

Physiotherapists work closely with the wider neonatal team to support you and your baby, and this may continue once you leave the neonatal unit if your baby requires ongoing support and surveillance. There may be a physiotherapist present in follow up clinics, or you may be referred to your local community physiotherapy team.

Physiotherapists may also provide specialist assessment and treatment for:

• Musculoskeletal (muscles and bones) conditions such as hip or foot problems
• Respiratory (breathing) difficulties

These posters show good ways to help position babies in the neonatal unit

The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP) have produced some parent leaflets that may be helpful:

PARENT LEAFLETS

If you would like any further information, please contact a therapist on your neonatal unit or your neonatal network physiotherapy lead. The lead network physiotherapists provide resources and support to unit physiotherapists, and help to develop services across London.

Occupational Therapists

How a Neonatal Occupational Therapist Can Support You:

Neonatal Occupational Therapists (OT) are part of the team supporting families and infants on the neonatal unit. They combine physical and mental healthcare models to take a holistic approach to working with families. Their focus is supporting neonatal parents to establish their parental role within a highly medical and specialist environment. This includes assessing the infants individual neurobehaviors and helping parents to understand baby behaviour. They also work with neonatal parents to develop strategies to support the baby within the neonatal setting and as the family prepares to transition home.

Neonatal OT can help to:

• Support parents and carers to understand preterm and term baby behaviour
• Complete neurodevelopmental and neuro-behavioural assessments, discuss findings and provide early intervention as appropriate
• Create individual plans to support development and parent/infant co-occupations such as positive touch experiences, nappy changes, bathing, early play and interaction
• Provide strategies to help manage pain and stress and increase positive touch
• Discuss any concerns around future development and refer to community OT

Download our Adobe PDF poster:  Neonatal Occupational Therapy parents (1).png

Watch the Bliss webinar: MDT Spotlight – Occupational Therapy Bliss webinar MDT spotlight Occupational Therapy

Resources Parent Leaflets

• EI Smart Resources – Ei SMART
• Brazelton Parents – Brazelton Centre UK
• Sensory Beginnings Resources for nurturing sensory environment | Sensory Beginnings

Speech & Language Therapists

Dietitians

Psychological Professionals