7: Unrestricted access to provide hands-on care tasks

for their infant in the NICU.

Co-occupational engagement between infant and parents versus a volunteer or healthcare professional has demonstrated lower lethargy scores on the NeoNatal Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS)

Chapter 7 Key Points

Awareness

  • Active caregiving builds confidence and bonding
  • Involvement enhances parent and infant outcomes
  • Limiting care tasks undermines skill and connection

Assessment

  • Do families perform daily caregiving tasks?
  • Are barriers logistical, cultural, or policy-based?
  • Do staff feel confident teaching parents safely?

Action

  • Empower parents to provide routine care
  • Offer structured training and guidance
  • Normalize parent participation in every shift

Download This Chapter

Download the Full Toolkit Here

Authors

Deanna Gibbs, BAppSc(OT), MOT, Grad Cert Res Meth, PhD

Christy Gliniak, PhD, OTR/L, CNT, CPXP

Christine Tester, MA (Oxon), PSS, MHPS

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

© 2026 Family-Centered Care Taskforce. Family-Centered Care Taskforce. All rights reserved. This toolkit may be reproduced and distributed freely for educational and non-commercial purposes with attribution. Any use of this content must acknowledge the Family-Centered Care Taskforce as the source. No portion of this toolkit may be altered or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission. Custom illustrations created for this project are for FCC Taskforce toolkit use only and may not be altered or reused separately.

DISCLAIMER
Readers are advised to adapt the guidelines and resources based on their local facility’s level of care and patient populations served and are also advised not to rely solely on the guidelines presented here.