The effects of the NBO on parent perception and enhancement of the parent-infant relationship

Savage-McGlynn, E., &  Hawthorne, J. THE EFFECTS OF THE NEONATAL BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATION (NBO) ON PARENT PERCEPTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE PARENT-INFANT RELATIONSHIP. Presented at WAIMH, Edinburgh, 2014.

Abstract

Introduction: Early relationships between infant and caregiver are crucial for a child's healthy development. New parents can have difficulties understanding the needs of their baby and what their baby is trying to communicate. Programs aimed at improving parents' responsiveness and skills can result in positive outcomes in the short- and long-term.

Method: The Neonatal Behavioral Observation (NBO) is a relationship-based tool designed to foster the parent-infant relationship by observing the infant's behavioral capacities and identifying the kind of support the infant needs for his successful growth and development. As part of their NBO training, practitioners asked parents to complete a questionnaire before and after the NBO administration (N=543). The questionnaire aimed to ascertain the extent to which the NBO had altered their feelings of connectedness with the baby, their comfort levels with the infant, and how well they knew their infant. Pre-NBO questionnaire responses were compared with those post-NBO. Results: After the NBO assessment, parents reported feeling considerably closer to their baby, more confident in their parenting capacity and how to effectively respond to their infant, how to help their infant with sleep and crying, and felt they knew their baby significantly more. Parents viewed the NBO as an important learning experience that would contribute to their role as a parent. Overall, results suggest that NBO participation is a positive experience for parents in learning about their infant.

Conclusions: Compared with pre-NBO parent questionnaires, parents are learning a great deal about their infant over the course of the NBO assessment. NBO can be seen as a tool that offers individualized information to parents about their baby, offering the opportunity to promote a positive bond between parent and child.