Impact of Minimizing Infant Overstimulation Post-NICU Discharge

Abstract

Sensory neurodevelopment plays a crucial role in shaping infant development. With excessive stimulation, or overstimulation, infants may develop irreversible and life-altering deficits such as intellectual disabilities, psychiatric difficulties, attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, and behavioral and functional challenges. Although the NICU follows guidelines to reduce overstimulation, parents are often not provided with specific sensory guidelines upon discharge, despite the rapid brain development that occurs during this time. Parents face numerous barriers in accessing equitable, accurate information regarding their infant’s sensory needs after NICU discharge. Recognizing this need, Union Hospital’s Level III NICU sought to develop current, evidence-based educational resources for parents. To address this gap, a new educational handout was created, outlining sensory and developmental guidelines for parents to follow once they return home with their infant. A survey of licensed occupational therapists from various practice settings was conducted to evaluate the updated handout provided to parents upon NICU discharge. The findings indicated that the handout accurately represented occupational therapy practice and should be incorporated into therapy services within the NICU. This project underscores the importance of providing parents with up-to-date sensory recommendations to improve infant outcomes and mitigate sensory processing difficulties throughout the lifespan.