Neonatal Therapy and Your Baby

Your baby is learning and growing every day! All babies, whether born early or full-term, have developmental milestones. In the NICU, therapists help your baby practice skills they typically develop in the womb and as a newborn.

Neonatal therapists are part of your NICU care team. They help your baby, and your family, feel supported during this important time. A neonatal therapist is a physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT), or speech-language pathologist (SLP) with special training to care for newborns in the NICU.

We work with you to help your baby feel safe, comfortable, and ready to grow. Our goals are to support:

• Development – helping your baby learn new skills
• Movement – supporting safe mobility and function
• Bonding – helping you connect with your baby

• Show you how to read your baby’s cues, like signs they are hungry, tired, or stressed
• Teach you comfort techniques such as gentle touch and soothing positions
• Support bonding activities like skin-to-skin holding
• Help you feed your baby safely, in ways that support growth and development
• Explain how your baby’s environment affects their development and what you can do to help
• Help you understand your baby’s movements and development
• Give you ideas for developmental activities in the NICU and at home
• Connect you with resources and therapy services after you leave the hospital

We are honored to be part of your baby’s care team. Please ask to meet with one of our neonatal therapists if you have any questions or concerns. Or call us at 651-229-3900.