The Impact of Physical and Environment Factors on Parental Presence for Oral Feeding in New Zealand Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Aim: To identify physical environmental factors influencing family involvement in feeding in New Zealand neonatal units. Background: Infant oral feeding development is critical for both short-term feeding skills and longer term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The neonatal environment is well-known as challenging for neuroprotection due to negative sensory exposure. The impact of environmental factors on oral feeding in New Zealand (NZ) neonatal units is currently unexplored, and knowledge of this could allow for evidence-based unit design. Methods: Focused ethnography at five neonatal units, a national survey of NZ neonatal professionals ( n = 102), and five focus groups were carried out. Current oral feeding practice, and beliefs, experiences, and opinions of unit staff and family about these practices were explored. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Units were providing the best experience to families that they could with the resources they had available. Lack of physical space, lack of privacy, limited on-site accommodation for families, and lack of coordination between maternity and neonatal services were identified as impacting on family’s comfort and sense of homeliness on the unit. Unit staff used furniture, screens, and external accommodation providers to support families where they could. Conclusions: The physical design of neonatal units in New Zealand provides barriers to family’s spending time privately developing oral feeding. Solutions are proposed to increase the size of bedspaces, provide single-family rooms, create greater on-site family accommodation options, combine maternity and neonatal healthcare, and improve family comfort and therefore connection with their infant.