Pain, Distress and the Newborn Infant

The newborn baby is at the beginning of life experience and has specific emotional and environmental needs.

In order to create an environment that will promote his well-being, carers need to understand how the baby will be affected by his surroundings.

This referenced text provides detailed and comprehensive information for all those involved in caring for newborn infants.

It addresses the key problems and issues in providing security and comfort for the sick and preterm baby in an environment where he can develop and grow, and learn to communicate his needs.

The text looks at the immediate as well as long-term goals for the baby and family, to create the most favourable environment for development of potential of both the baby and parents.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section discusses the newborn baby, how it responds to external factors and expresses its needs.

The chapters describe the development of the Central Nervous System and how this is relevant to pain and stress.

The second part looks at behavioural changes and stimulation including care plans for traumatic procedures, pain scales, discomfort and disturbance. The final section of the book illustrates the importance of involving the parents and emphasizes the stresses and problems which every carer faces.

It considers the delicate issue of the dying baby and its family, and the mourning process.

A further chapter looks at taking the infant home and the follow-up required.

The final chapter offers thoughts on the future of neonatal care, and looks at how the environment may be improved both by staff within the hospital setting and by parents providing post-intensive care in the home.

This book will be an essential reference for neonatal nurses, paediatric nurses and midwives.

It will also be of direct relevance to all those who participate in the care of the newborn baby in hospital, especially within Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Special Care Baby Units.