Let’s meet your baby as a person: from research to preventive perinatal practice and back again with the NBO
Nicolson, S. (2015). Let’s meet your baby as a person: From Research to Preventive Perinatal Practice and Back Again with the Newborn Behavioral Observations. Zero to Three Journal, 36, 1, 28-39.
Abstract
This article describes efforts of an Australian tertiary maternity hospital to translate infant mental health research into preventive perinatal and early parenting practice. Clinical practice confirms what is known in the literature: For expectant parents, there can be myriad obstacles to adapting successfully to parenthood and forming a relationship with the baby that best supports development. Research showing that even very brief interventions may make a difference prompted a search for something evidence-based, feasible, and potentially useful in hospital or community settings that warranted further research and led to the Newborn Behavioral Observations system (NBO). The hospital trained staff in its use and instigated a national training and research program via “NBO Australia at The Women’s.” The authors discuss the successes and challenges to date, effects for professionals and families, further research, and the interest generated around the country.