Parent Delivered Infant Massage: Are We Truly Ready for Implementation?

Abstract 

Preterm infant touch and massage are caregiving interventions that have been explored by many researchers. The sense of touch is the most developed of the senses in the neonatal period. However, preterm infant touch and massage research results have been mixed, and the recommendations for implementation in the neonatal intensive care unit remain cautious. Yet, infant touch is inevitable and necessary for the attachment of families and infants, and thus, more work needs to be done to better understand how to best implement this vital intervention strategy. The questions still needing more consideration are when, how much, and by whom. We know that parent-delivered infant touch and massage are occurring in the neonatal intensive care unit, so the questions now must focus on the optimal implementation approaches and intervention strategies for families.

Keywords: Infant, Preterm, Touch, Massage, Stroking