Parents of premature infants at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s NICU can now hold their babies skin-to-skin sooner, thanks to innovative procedures. Typically, premature babies on ventilators must wait weeks or months before such bonding moments due to medical equipment constraints.
Led by clinical nurse specialist Amanda Williams, MSN, the initiative involves a team effort from NICU specialists including respiratory therapists, nurses, and doctors. They developed a method to safely move fragile premature babies and their respiratory equipment out of incubators and into their parents’ arms.
“For parents like Emma and Tyler Beckett, whose son Owen was born prematurely at just 24 weeks and started on a jet ventilator, the ability to do skin-to-skin was unexpected and emotional,” Emma Beckett shared tearfully. “It feels like we’re much closer to him now.”
Courtney and Steven Fine also expressed their joy at bonding with their daughter, Alia, born at 26 weeks and weighing only 1.11 pounds. “Having her close to me changes my entire day,” Courtney Fine said. “I feel a stronger connection with her.”
Clinical observations support the benefits of skin-to-skin contact, noting improvements in vital signs like respiratory and heart rates for the babies. Dr. Rangasamy Ramanathan, a pioneer in neonatal care, highlighted the importance of this approach for babies with breathing difficulties.
Tyler Beckett, alternating skin-to-skin sessions with his wife, reflected on its positive impact. “Seeing Owen’s health and strength improve gives us comfort,” he said. “It’s a small contribution that means a lot to us.”
Similarly, Steven Fine finds solace in these moments with his daughter. “Skin-to-skin time is our sanctuary,” he remarked. “It allows us to focus on being present with her, away from the medical challenges.”
The initiative has received overwhelming praise from parents and healthcare providers alike, underscoring the emotional and physical benefits of early bonding through skin-to-skin contact in the NICU.
